Andy Stochansky

Andy Stochansky is a musician and songwriter[1]from Toronto, living in Los Angeles.

Andy Stochansky
Genresmusic
Occupation(s)Musician, composer
InstrumentsDrums
percussion
Vocals
Piano
Guitar

Early years

Born and raised in Toronto, he began tinkering with the family piano at the age of five. Shortly thereafter, his parents bought him a drum kit. By the time he was in his 20s, He had become a hired-gun for Ani Difranco, one of the world’s most revered independent folk artists. DiFranco asked him to play on her new album and, within months, he became her touring co-pilot. With Difranco, Andy played 200 shows a year for seven years, until he felt it was time to start expressing himself beyond the drums.

Solo recording career

Splitting amicably with DiFranco, he forged ahead on his own, teaching himself guitar, and some non-traditional instruments (including an old kitchen sink) to his repertoire. The result: a critically acclaimed debut solo album called Radio Fusebox.

Radio Fusebox was frequently hailed as one of the best albums of the year. The Times Colonist dubbed it an “outright gem” and described it as “glorious, textured world-pop,” while Boston Globe columnist, Jon Anderman, proclaimed Andy “the best thing at South by Southwest.” Even David Byrne professed himself a fan.

After releasing Radio Fusebox, he wanted to create something a little more radio-friendly. “I wanted something with hook,” shares Andy. “I wanted feel good music. I wanted something that made people move. So, I taught myself guitar and wrote ‘Stutter,’ and that opened the flood gates. He soon had 25 new songs, and an itch to play them in front of audiences. In February of 2000, he played six shows in and around Los Angeles, using the opportunity to showcase his new material he was seen by 3 different record companies and ended up signing with RCA Victor.

In the summer of 2002, Andy released his album "5 Star Motel". Produced by Ian LeFeuvre (Starling ) while singles "Stutter" produced by Tom Rothrock (Badly Drawn Boy, Elliot Smith) and “Wonderful (It’s Superman) produced by Dennis Herring and mixed by Jacquire King, both of which received considerable radio airplay.

The follow album was called "100" but this quickly needed a home since every record company was reshuffling at the time of Napster and had no idea what lay ahead in the future. "100" was turned down by all record companies except an indie label named Linus in Canada.

“Shine,” the first single from 100, was featured in the 2008 television series, Oprah’s Big Give, and in the film Keeping up with the Steins. After its success in the U.S., “Shine” was covered by Australian Idol runner-up, Shannon Noll. The song became a bona fide hit, selling eight times platinum and becoming the theme song for both the Australian and U.K cricket teams, as well as the 2008 Commonwealth Games.

By 2009, Andy took up residence in Los Angeles to write and produce for other artists. Some notable highlights include:"Northern Lights,"a song chosen for the Twilight Breaking Dawn (film / soundtrack) performed by Cider Sky, "The Best" (feat Dragonette), which became the first worldwide single for Lenno (Universal), and "Hyper Love" a single for Ferry Corsten that reached the Billboard Dance Top 10, "Pale" single for Lola Lennox co-produced by Annie Lennox".

White Elephant Orchestra

Andy newest project, White Elephant Orchestra, is blend of indie electro and art pop. White Elephant Orchestra is set to release a new album, entitled Debut.

“One day I heard a DJ lament about the lack of real music,” describes Andy. “She was adamant about hearing songs that sound a little less ‘cookie-cutter.’ Her proclamation challenged me to start writing. One day, I’d like to let that DJ know that she set me off on a new course.”

Written, produced and played by Andy, Debut features Lola Stone- Fox and Martina Sorbara (Dragonette) on back-up vocals and tracks mixed by Grammy award winning mixing engineer Dave Pensado (Michael Jackson, Pink, Peaches).

“I think it’s the first time I’ve made a record where I don’t know how to make it any better,” says Andy. “This is the best I’ve got.”

Writing career

Andy is also a writer and producer for and with other artists.

His writing highlights have included;

  • "Northern Lights" a song chosen for the Twilight Breaking Dawn (film / soundtrack) performed by Cider Sky.
  • "Pale" single Lola Lennox
  • "The Best" (feat Dragonette) - first worldwide single for Lenno (Casablanca / Universal)
  • "Hyper Love"" single for Ferry Corsten on "Flashover Recordings" – Billboard Dance Top 10
  • "Everybody Feeling Something" single, "Your Only Love" – Marlon Roudette (Columbia Records U.S.)
  • "Shine" Shannon Noll ( 11 consecutive weeks at Number One on the Australian Airplay Chart – a record that still remains today).
  • "Midnight Girl" and "Great Bright Morning" recorded by Casey Abrams (Concord Music Group)
  • "Bulletproof Angel" – Goo Goo Dolls from 2013 album called "Magnetic"

Discography
  • While You Slept (1996)
  • Radio Fusebox (1999)
  • Five Star Motel (2002)
  • Shine E.P. (2004)[2]
  • 100 (2005)
    • Debut—upcoming release (2020)
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    References
    1. Seida, Linda. "Biography: Andy Stochansky". Allmusic. Retrieved April 15, 2010.
    2. "Andy Stochansky". Discogs. Retrieved September 1, 2017.

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