Andy Shauf is a Canadian singer-songwriter from Estevan, Saskatchewan who records his narrative concept albums almost entirely alone — clarinet and all. The Party (2016), shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize, and The Neon Skyline (2020) are the ones to hear first; nobody writes a small-hours story quite like him. Shop Andy Shauf vinyl, CDs, and reissues at Wax Trax Records.
Andy Shauf was born in Estevan, Saskatchewan on September 15, 1986 and raised in Bienfait, Saskatchewan. He began releasing solo recordings in the mid-2000s while still based in Saskatchewan. He largely self-records and self-produces his work, playing most of the instruments on his albums. He gained wider attention with The Bearer of Bad News (2015) and The Party (2016), the latter of which was shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize. His subsequent albums The Neon Skyline (2020) and Norm (2023) have continued his pattern of conceptual, character-driven song cycles.
Andy Shauf's sound is grounded in indie folk, soft rock, and chamber pop, with arrangements drawing on clarinet (which he plays prominently), woodwinds, and warm 1970s singer-songwriter production. His albums typically function as narrative concept records following interconnected characters and storylines, often centered on specific evening or party settings.
Anti- pressings of The Neon Skyline, Wilds, and Norm have appeared in multiple variants and color editions. The Party has been reissued in anniversary editions.
Listeners new to Andy Shauf typically start with The Party (2016) or The Neon Skyline (2020).
