Solemn Shapes

Solemn Shapes is an American electronic duo formed in Charlotte, North Carolina, by vocalist/electronic artist Melanie Foxfire and touring synthesist Scott Sunset. The pair met in 2009 and began performing as Solemn Shapes in 2016, playing more than 300 shows and touring throughout the Midwest, South and East Coast. Their 2021 EP Animalism reached Bandcamp’s Darkwave, Industrial and Electronic charts and received extensive independent radio airplay. Their most recent EP, Calling, later charted in the same categories and was mastered by Rob Robinson (ohGr, Order of the Static Temple). In 2024, Solemn Shapes signed with Distortion Productions after label founder Jim Semonik saw the duo perform on tour. The Shapes have also appeared on multiple compilation releases and remixes, and two of their songs were featured in Joe Badon’s film Sister Tempest. Blending darkwave, industrial, EBM, experimental electronics and synth-pop, Solemn Shapes have drawn comparisons to Skinny Puppy, Chris & Cosey, early Ministry and Book of Love. Post-Punk described the video for Calling in relation to filmmakers Kenneth Anger, David Lynch and Maya Deren. The name Solemn Shapes comes from architectural historian Vincent Scully’s description of Louis Kahn’s “hard and solemn shapes,” forms shaped by function and the reception of light. Solemn Shapes are currently working on their forthcoming full-length album, Prolonged Exposure to Darkness, for Distortion Productions.