Experimental composer and musician Mica Levi studied music at various prestigious schools in the UK and participated in multiple composition projects, including writing a commissioned piece for the London Philharmonic, before donning the moniker Micachu and forming her backing band, The Shapes, in 2008. Immediately catching the attention of the music industry--which was impressed with the band's creative, noisy electro-rock, use of outlandish homemade instruments and its frontwoman's androgynous vocals--Micachu and The Shapes was offered a recording contract with Rough Trade within a year of forming. While the band's primary fan base is in the UK, it has slowly spread its name to the US as well.