Heading out on a 2016 tour behind the album Paper Gods, Duran Duran is tapping into the shimmering dance pop of Shamir for an opening act, and in honor of the occasion, the Vegas partier shared a soft cover of the band's hit Rio single "Hungry Like The Wolf."
Given Shamir's propensity for Chicago house music, listeners of his 2015 album Ratchet might think he'd tackle the music of Duran Duran with the same wobbly bass that marks his own signature style. Although Shamir definitely draws a lot from the influence of Duran Duran, he also has a lot of country in his blood, which seems to have been the main motivator behind his latest cover.
In the past he's given us acoustic covers of Jewel's "Who Will Save Your Soul" and Alexz Johnson's "Ruthless Love," which both showed a more reserved side to the artist.
Now, Shamir is at it again covering his new tour mates. He stripes away all the '80s synth pop and replaces it with a simple guitar and some layered vocals. Mid-way through the song he comes in with a high vocal harmony over top his existing line, which really shows off his vocal capabilities like fans haven't really seen before. Sure he's always been a master of the beat, and we knew he had a country side, but who knew he could hit that high note too?
Listen below.
Shamir will join the new wave veterans Duran Duran, as well as fellow openers Chic and Nile Rogers, for a total of eight dates including Durham, North Carolina, Saint Augustine and Tampa, Florida, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Uncasville, Connecticut, Washington, D.C., Montréal and Brooklyn, New York. Duran Duran's 31-show tour kicks off March 25 and continues through August 3. For a full schedule of dates visit the band's official website.
