Dancing
The origins of the name "Melbourne Shuffle" are unknown. The term was
first brought to the public attention by
Sonic Animation's Rupert Keiller during a TV interview in
Sydney.
The
Age referred to it as looking like "a cross between the chicken
dance and a foot stomping robot" to the untrained eye,
[1]
but locals simply called it "stomping".
Some dancers sprinkle
talcum powder or apply liquid to the floor
beneath their feet to help them glide more easily, some including 360
degree spins or jumps into their moves.
[1]
Others apply smooth plastic tape or duct tape to the soles of their
shoes.
Originally consisting of the "T-Step" combined with arm movements,
during recent years the "Running Man" has also been adopted into many
common styles, accentuating the new focus of keeping time with the beat.
The "Running man" involves a stomp forward followed by a single or
double hop backwards with the same foot, the other foot repeats the
action leading to a running-on-the-spot motion. The "T-Step" is a fast
sideways heel-toe motion on one foot twisting at the ankle. The dance is
embellished by spins, arm pumps, slides, and kicks.
Hardstyle
is performed to music that features a fast
4/4
beat (also known as a 'four-on-the-floor' beat), and is normally
accompanied by a heavy, booming (or hollow) bass. For this reason, many
people in the US and Europe incorrectly refer to the "shuffle" as just
"hardstyle". This is despite the term "hardstyle" being an umbrella term
for many different
rave dances globally, as well
as a genre of electronic music. Hardstyle is a rave dance, while most
other styles were typically performed in clubs and dance parties.
The Melbourne Shuffle dance style has remained relatively underground
since its birth in the late '80s and early '90s. The term "Melbourne
Shuffle" was recorded in the media when
Sonic Animation's Rupert Keiller was interviewed by
Rage, an all-night Australian music TV show.
[5]
The interviewer asked Rupert what his unique style of dance was and the
reply was "the Melbourne Shuffle". In December 2002
The Age,
an Australian newspaper, made mention of the term in a front page
article,
[1]
attempting to illustrate what the popular Melbourne Shuffle was for the
first time to the mainstream public.
Malaysian students studying in Melbourne
originally learned the Melbourne Shuffle at local clubs and parties.
They then showed people how to do it when they returned home.
[6]
Shufflers have taken their art form and self-expressive dance style
overseas and are a regular sight to be seen at
rave parties
in the
UK,
Germany,
Malaysia
and also
Thailand, where shufflers can be seen shuffling on
the beaches of
Koh Phangan during the
Full Moon Beach Party. The internet has
also been a factor in spreading knowledge and interest in the shuffle.
In 2004,
Six Flags launched an ad campaign featuring
Mr. Six,
an old man who performed the Melbourne Shuffle as well as
Jumpstyle
and
Techtonik.
[7]
A documentary on the topic entitled Melbourne Shuffler
[3]
was in production during 2004–2005 and was released in late 2005 on
DVD. Another huge contributor to the fame and popularity of the
Melbourne Shuffle is
YouTube. Every shuffler and shuffle crew found
themselves able to support the Melbourne Shuffle and show off their own
style and moves; these videos captured everyone's attention.
On 6 September 2008,
Network 10 had started filming footage at the
Hard Style Dance (HSD).
[8]
Nightclub for an upcoming Documentary on the Melbourne Shuffle,
although no other news has surfaced after the filming of the footage.
In November 2008, "So You Think You Can Shuffle",
[9]
an Australian YouTube-based video voting competition website was
launched, where Shufflers from around the country can showcase their
dance skills, comment, and vote on other videos. Starting in 2009 "So
You Think You Can Shuffle" also started hosting official shuffle
meet-ups and competitions around Australia and
Germany.
In December 2008,
The Daily Mercury, a
Queensland
publication, reported on a story about the Melbourne Shuffle's presence
in
Mackay. It cited the city's high YouTube
exposure when compared to other major cities in Queensland.
[1]
In 2009, MSO, a Melbourne-based company that produces robotics, rave
clothing, music, and art began production on a documentary titled "
GLOBAL
SHUFFLE 1990:2010". Scheduled for release in 2011, the film
contains rare footage from Melbourne's underground dance scene in the
'90s and documents the invention and evolution of the Melbourne Shuffle.
It will feature involvement from the likes of Dr3kar, Shifter Hardstyle
Prodigy, Euphemism, Matthew Moyle, Television Unlimited and
Global Village[disambiguation
needed].
The official music video for
The Black Eyed Peas single "The Time" briefly features
dancers (including
apl.de.ap himself) in a night club performing the
Melbourne Shuffle.
The
Electro Hop
group
LMFAO featured several
electro
house dancers performing the shuffle in their "
Party Rock Anthem" music video. LMFAO also organized an
online shuffle contest for their video, the winner appeared in their
Party Rock Anthem video. LMFAO are seen doing the Shuffle in the music
videos for their singles
Champagne Showers,
Sexy and I Know It,
Sorry for Party Rocking.