Worldview

Worldview is fronted by Oliver Shaw, an Oxford-based songwriter, performer and producer. Worldview aims to fuse the sounds of Indie and Dance music with insightful lyrics reminiscent of Elvis Costello or Morrissey and the melodic sensibility of the classic 60’s acts. Oliver began playing in bands, including one with Coldplay’s bassist-to-be, and then spent several years honing a one-man band approach in his home studio, writing, singing, recording and playing everything himself in the manner of Stevie Wonder, early Prince or Karl Wallinger’s World Party. He self-released a debut album, the relationship-themed “War Years”, in late 2002, culled from home sessions. It enjoyed some airplay and praise for the “timeless quality” of the songwriting. A second set, “Paying For It”, followed in January 2005, showcasing a more diverse stylistic palette and addressing topics ranging from celebrity culture and consumerism to the Iraq conflict. Reviewing the album, the Oxfordbands.com website judged it “chock full of good tunes, clever lyrics and…united by a consistent, if rather misanthropic, musical vision”. As well as gaining local FM radio exposure his tracks have been featured on various unsigned compilation CDs, and he was added to the playlist of the Pulse Rated digital radio station late in 2004. He has appeared many times at the major Oxford venues with a backing band drawn from the ranks of other fledging local acts, and played some solo acoustic sets at London venues.