Andy Shauf - He’s a sad-sack Saskatchewanian songwriter who grew up in a tiny town (pop. 919) off the Trans-Canada Highway somewhere between Swift Current and Moose Jaw. His breakthrough album was called Bearer of Bad News. But don’t feel bad for Andy Shauf. Social invitations have been pouring in from Jeff Tweedy, Nick Hornby and Low (for whom he opened two U.S. tours in 2015). Now the self-produced multi-instrumentalist and master of subtlety is ready to invite everyone to The Party, his fourth album and first for Anti Records.
The Party is a series of character sketches, ostensibly set at a specific gathering. It’s not exactly a concept record, but writing it was definitely a way for Shauf to get out of his own head. The Party will spawn no hangover regrets for its creator, even if its characters have more than a few. On it, awkward characters show up “Early to the Party,” dance in the living room (“Martha Sways”), and either reveal life-changing secrets (“To You”) or try their hardest to reveal nothing at all (“The Magician”). Fuzzed-out guitars collide with string sections and dreamy synths, all draped over delicate piano, acoustic guitars and rainy-day drums. Oh, and clarinet. On Bearer of Bad News, Shauf started out with 100 songs and whittled it down to 11. This time, with a clearer vision and narrative construct in mind, he focused on 15 and cut it to 10. Brevity is key: these vignettes are rooted in classic pop songwriting, with shades of the Shins, Belle and Sebastian and Grandaddy seeping into Shauf’s modern arrangements
This Prairie boy is the first Saskatchewanian musician with an international record deal since Joni Mitchell and Buffy Sainte-Marie. For Andy Shauf, The Party’s just getting started.
Title: Party
Format: Vinyl
Release Date: 20 May 2016
Artist: Andy Shauf
Sku: 2312067
Catalogue No: E874561
Category: Alternative
Disc Count: 1
Transfer Format: Vinyl
Video Format: Alternative
Primary Audio: E874561
Language: 0045778745616
Subtitles: Warner Music
DISC 1
The Magician
Early To The Party
Twist Your Ankle
Quite Like You
Begin Again
The Worst In You
To You
Eyes Of Them All
Alexander All Alone
Martha Sways