Andy Shauf Invites You To The Party
On May 20th, Anti- is excited to release an immensely imaginative work from acclaimed young singer-songwriter Andy Shauf called The Party.
The Saskatchewan-based Shauf recorded his first album at home and toured Western Canada playing DIY punk venues with an acoustic guitar. In 2015 he gained attention with an album called The Bearer of Bad News that NPR called one of “2015's most breathtaking albums” and “an appropriately titled collection of mostly grim tales about small town drug addicts, murderous lovers and other weary underachievers.”
With The Party, Shauf masterfully creates a cast of memorable and unique characters. They show up “Early to the Party,” reveal secrets (“To You”) or try to reveal nothing (“The Magician”). In “a city the size of a dinner plate,” everyone knew the guy who keeled over after smoking what he promised would be his last pack of cigarettes (“Alexander All Alone”). There’s the girl dancing by herself in the middle of the room, with the “Eyes of Them All” upon her. One moment you’re dancing with someone who bears an uncanny resemblance to your ex (“Martha Sways”) and later slagging your best friend as way of endearing yourself to his recently dumped ex (“Quite Like You”).
All of this is set to ornate arrangements of fuzzed-out guitars, string sections, clarinets and dreamy synths, all draped over delicate piano, acoustic guitars and rainy-day drums.
Have a listen to track “The Magician” here:
https://soundcloud.com/antirecords/andy-shauf-the-magician/s-dIxON
The Party is not exactly a concept record, but it was a way for the singer-songwriter to get out of his own head. An after-party record, more like it. Or for the hangover the next day, when only Shauf’s songs can make any sense of the emotionally-charged scenarios that played out the night before.
When The Party was over, Shauf had no regrets—even if its characters have more than a few. You’re invited to The Party. It’s one you’ll never forget.
Watch some behind the scenes footage of Shauf recording The Party here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yut-Vq_FpQo
The Party Track Listing
01. The Magician
02. Early to the Party
03. Twist Your Ankle
04. Quite Like You
05. Begin Again
06. The Worst in You
07. To You
08. Eyes of Them All
09. Alexander All Alone
10. Martha Sways
Andy Shauf is set to open for case/lang/veirs on their highly anticipated tour this June.
Live Dates:
06/22 San Diego, CA @ Humphrey’s
06/23 Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre
06/25 Saratoga, CA @ The Mountain Winery
06/30 Seattle, WA @ Woodland Park Amphitheatre
07/02 Portland, OR @ Oregon Zoo Amphitheatre
07/05 Bend, OR @ Athletic Club of Bend
07/26 Brooklyn, NY @ BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn!
07/27 Washington, DC @ Lincoln Theatre
07/29 Atlanta, GA @ Atlanta Botanical Garden
08/02 San Antonio, TX @ Tobin Center for the Performing Arts
08/03 Austin, TX @ Long Center for the Performing Arts
08/09 Bayfield, WI @ Big Top Chautauqua