I'm with the band: Nick Robinson from Shapeshifter

Nick Robinson (second from left) says the band likes to swim on tour.

What is your preferred mode of travel for the summer tour?

There's nothing like a summer tour in NZ - jumping in the van with boys and cruising that way - stopping off for pies and random beach hits. If we have too far to go then we can get a bit over it but if you've got the time taking it slow in the van is the one.

Who's in charge of the selections, and what are you likely to hear?

I think we're all pretty armed with sounds just on our phones these days. The spectrum of sounds we listen to is really quite broad, could be anything from Tame Impala, Stevie Wonder, Frank Ocean, Oscar Peterson, Shihad, Tool. The list could go on for ever. We're all music lovers and I think pretty open minded.

Where is your favourite summer venue?

It's hard to pick - there's so many spots we play that are equally epic. Coromandel, both east and west coasts, Riwaka. We had a week rehearsing staying with the brothers at Leigh Sawmill Cafe, we rehearsed all week then played a couple of small shows at the end.

Apart from the gigs, where else are you looking forward to stopping along your tour route?

We always love finding the odd bomb spot or swimming beach along the way. Playing a bit of beach cricket. The Tasman region around Riwaka and Motueka is one of my favourite parts of New Zealand, around the national park area and around the Moutere valley.

Do you have a go-to vendor for a great feed?

Depending on where we are - Auckland has Zool Zool ramen - the album has been written on Zool Zool ramen - or Mercury Plaza food court. And I can't forget the Gingernuts.

Best spot for a quick dip in the ocean, or an inviting swimming hole?

I'm lucky enough to live on New Brighton Beach - the water's warming and that's my spot. But the best for me - Torrent Bay in the Abel Tasman is hard to beat - along with the tin pot swimming hole in Ngatimoti (Moutere Valley).

What song will you be playing to really get the crowd going?

We have a song off our upcoming album called Fake Charmer that we'll be playing live this summer - it's pretty heavy and I think that could get some blood pumping. We will play a bunch of oldies too - like Long White Cloud, Dutchies, Stryka One, are faves of ours to pull out.

What are your plans for New Year's Eve?

We are playing at Northern Bass, in Mangawhai, a drum and bass festival.

Do you have any New Year's traditions?
We have played a New Year's Eve gig every year for a long time - our tradition is just getting together to jam really.

Who's on your ideal summer music fest dream team lineup?

Sunshine Sound System, Shihad, Fat Freddy's Drop, The Black Seeds, Kora, Tiki Taane, The Upbeats, Stevie Wonder, James Blake, Snoop Dog, Skrillex, Dave Dobbyn.

• Shapeshifter play at the Northern Bass festival in Mangawhai tonight and at the Riwaka Hotel on Saturday.