REVIEW: ANDY SHAUF @ PARADISE ROCK CLUB 4/3
By Casey Whitworth
I have never felt so comfortable at a concert as I did at Paradise Rock Club this past Sunday evening. In spite of the fact that most people I know have heard nary a mention of Andy Shauf or his work, many of my playlists since junior year of high school have included songs off his album, “The Party”, a concept album that takes place in a single night at a party, each song a vignette dedicated to different sets of characters. He somehow captures the complexity of knowing glances, drunken declarations of feelings, and the nuances of connections formed, nurtured, and even wounded at a house party surrounded by both strangers and the people you love most.
Shauf has released other records, of course, which were showcased at this show as well: “The Neon Skyline” and “Wilds”. In these, he has continued to take on a special approach to the concept album, and almost every song he performed this night from these two albums encapsulated the theme of old love and regret prevalent throughout his work. As Shauf stepped onto the stage, he, indeed, seemed almost regretful, his humility and timidity evident in his infrequent and quiet addresses to the audience. “Anyone got any questions at this point?”, he asked.
He and his stagemates worked as a single unit, while still managing to stand out on their own; banging drum solos, striking bass and electric guitar riffs and hooks, and the finishing touch of the keyboard, which multitasked as different styles of instruments to serve as ornamentation. And, of course, there was the strength of Shauf’s vocal performance, which still managed to shine through the brightness of the instrumentals. His voice sounded exactly like it does on his records, but this time it rings loud and clear, as opposed to the more muted tone in the recordings.
He started off his set with “Neon Skyline”, the opening track to the album of the same name. It’s a welcoming start, taking us along with him on this night; just out getting drinks with an old friend. Concert-goers joined in comfortably and joyfully, clear from the get-go that they felt at home in this crowd. Moving to “Where Are You Judy”, the titular character has already made her debut in the preceding pieces. He speaks of his pining for his former lover: “I only miss you when the skies are above…”
We find ourselves guests to a pity party with “Twist Your Ankle” and “Begin Again”. He sings from the perspective of being laughed at, or more like the prolonged fear of humiliation that comes with vulnerability. “Everybody’s laughing at me // I can’t make a sound…” “Begin Again” is a bitter speech aimed at the person who is with the one the narrator loves. “It’s just the one that you found // Is one that I need…” The song builds up to a transcendent moment where the sky comes crashing down, “a brilliant light will dissolve us all…” There is so much said in the silence, and Shauf and his bandmates embrace this silence, giving the moments of quiet as much weight as the music itself.
A real gem is found in “Quite Like You”, an obvious crowd favorite. We can feel the butterflies, and the voices in the audience sing along to “I wish that you were having a good time”. The hopeful hesitation of the confession ballad, “To You”, led into “The Magician”, Shauf’s most popular single. A tribute to the uncertain, side-stepping “fools”, the ones who cast illusions to distract from their insecurities, this song really highlighted Shauf’s style and skill. The hauntingly harmonic piece is a testament to his songwriting ability, putting on display his special way with words: “just a shaking hand without a concrete plan…” In the live setting, it was atmospheric and grounded all at once. He closed out with the stirring “Satan”, his most recent release, and departed with a peace sign and a wave. The crowd continued to cheer and plead for more, and not the type to leave things unsaid, he emerged again from behind the curtain. After his encore, he finally took his leave of the stage, but not before expressing his gratitude. “Thank you for being here. Thank you for being enthusiastic and polite.”
Andy Shauf’s music echoes perpetual longing: the questioning of what might have been, the feelings of self-doubt. His lyricism and apprehensive yet solid melodies, along with the intricate instrumentals and stunning harmonies, speak of another, separate world in which two lovers end up together, and the band’s performance offers a window to this world. Shauf captures so eloquently human experiences that are difficult to articulate, and he ensures that his listeners feel like they have an old friend in him in the process. Andy Shauf’s live presence is understated and absolutely devoid of conceit; he still seems sure of himself at the same time that his music is searching for something that cannot be put into words, though this songwriter comes close.