The Awkward Stage was a Canadian indie pop band from Vancouver fronted by singer-songwriter Shane Nelken.[1] The band's supporting lineup consisted of Tygh Runyan on lead guitar, Tony Koelwyn on drums and Chris Mitchell on trumpet and keyboards.
The Awkward Stage | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Genres | Indie pop |
| Years active | 2006-2009 |
| Labels | Mint Records |
| Members | Shane Nelken Tygh Runyan Tony Koelwyn Chris Mitchell |
| Website | theawkwardstage |
History
Nelken, who works as a cremationist, had a longtime side career as a musician, supporting a number of artists including A. C. Newman, New Pornographers and Sparrow.[2][3] He put together The Awkward Stage (which included drummer Kurt Dahle),[4] and released a debut album, Heaven Is for Easy Girls, on Mint Records in 2006.[5][6] Nelken performed much of the music himself, with some help from violinist Kim Koch and trumpeter Shaun Brodie.[7] The album charted on Canadian campus radio[8] and CBC Radio 3, which named the band's song "We're Going for a Ride" one of its Top 94 songs of 2006.[9]
With Tygh Runyan, Tony Koelwyn and Chris Mitchell, The Awkward Stage released a second album, Slimming Mirrors, Flattering Lights, in 2008.[10][11] The songs were written and arranged by Nelkin.[2]
The band has been inactive since 2009.
Discography
- Heaven Is for Easy Girls (2006), Mint Records
- Slimming Mirrors, Flattering Lights (2008), Mint Records
References
External links
- The Awkward Stage official site
- The Awkward Stage profile at Mint Records
- Interview with Shane Nelken, October 8, 2008.