Andy Shauf: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

May 20, 2016 by ROBIN HILTON • Saskatchewan singer-songwriter Andy Shauf is the kind of guy you'd find laying low at a party, maybe tucked into the corner of a room with a drink in his hand, keeping to himself but taking everything in. He's soft-spoken and reserved, more comfortable delivering the news than being a part of it (though "comfortable" may be too strong a word).

Shauf's latest album is, appropriately enough, called The Party. It's an emotionally remote collection of character studies and bent observations made during a gathering of drunken fools, smooth operators and the painfully self-aware.

Andy Shauf recently brought The Party to the NPR Music offices for this quietly affecting Tiny Desk performance. His set opens with "The Magician," a song about a poser schmoozing his way through a crowd, followed by "To You," a slightly comical but awkward confession of unrequited love. Shauf closes with the relatively propulsive "You're Out Wasting," a meditation on greed, selling out and late-night anxiety; it's from his 2015 album The Bearer Of Bad News.

The Party is available now:

SET LIST:
"The Magician"
"To You"
"You're Out Wasting"

CREDITS:
Producers: Robin Hilton, Niki Walker; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Niki Walker, Kara Frame; Production Assistant: Jackson Sinnenberg; Photo: Brandon Chew/NPR.

[sound_and_story_]

Andy must have been stoked that him and his band had the opportunity to play even quieter.

[BryceBreslin]

Please tiny desk have him back for another! his work was already phenomenal in this recording, and my how it has deepened since then

[kk]

Since it isn't already listed in the video, the names of the performers are:
Andy Shauf - Vocals/Guitar
Olivier Fairfield - Drums
Josh Daignault - Bass
Colin Nealis - Keys

[anaflorentina]

Please bring him back!!! This session is amazing! Brilliant! Andy is a real genius!✨🎶✨

[shivanidhuriya]

his music feels like walking down the sidewalk around 5pm, noticing life how captivating can it be. to look at the sky changing colors, in twilight birds are returning back home, knowing where you are and where you belong similarly like birds going back home it feels calming.

[avishaidadon]

To You is so sincere and fragile it literally breaks me inside everytime

[alexisentisma]

GAH I wish I could hear a Tiny Desk version of his entire discography, This is so exquisite.

[CaiolaMusic]

During all of "The Magician" he kind of looks like he's been in a chase scene, running from the cops and he's found shelter momentarily, and is trying to blend in with the house band, but is ready to drop the guitar and book it at any moment when the authorities bust in.... also great performance.

[nathanlim]

he's such a storyteller. look at the way his eyes move around the room. this mannerism speaks volumes.

[samyuktajadeja]

I watched him and his band live last night. And I was just transported to another realm. His music, lyrics, intense blank gaze. I couldn't help but just cry and cry because i was so moved. Legendary.

[trnglm]

Andy is so sweet, I hope he is happy and well.

[fionabrilvicas]

One of the few artists who've been on tiny desk concerts that has such a pure and on-pitch voice in the acoustic. Love Andy Shauf!

[ivanmonroy]

Worked out The Magician for ya guys :)
Standard Tuning
Capo on the 2nd fret.
- Intro: Cmaj7
- Verse: Am, Em7, G/D, Cmaj7
- Pre-Chorus: G/D, B7, G/D, Cmaj7
(In the second P-C, drop the second G/D the third time around)
- Chorus: Cmaj7 (he also shifts around with G/D, B7, and back to Cmaj7).
Fiddle around a bit and you'll find the little licks he makes in the Intro and Chorus. Enjoy ;) Cheers!

[sunflowermoon]

His voice is so soothing, and his lyrics are so captivating.
The instruments take you to a new earth where everything just feels right.

[moad]

I hope Andy realizes how beautiful his songs are, and how much they mean to me.

[RaulRaul]

0:00(The Magician)
3:36(To you)
7:52(You're Out Wasting)

Great Artist!

[goofeegoober_]

I love watching how his eyes wander around in patterns as he’s singing. You can almost predict where he’ll look based on what melody he’s singing!

[brentmacklem]

This genius is from a small town a few hours away. So inspiring to know that dream chasing is still cool.

[jonanjello]

Hanging out with this guy must such a mellow time.

[Spoinzy]

It seems like he’s putting all his thought into creating the emotions his characters are conveying in his singing, and not trying to act it out, which just works perfect. This guy is a great poet through his storytelling.