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Andy StochanskyAmerican musician, singer and composer.
Country:
 USA |
Content:
- Andy Stochansky: American Musician, Vocalist, and Composer
- Solo Album and Critical Acclaim
- Pop Album and Stardom
- Continued Success and Collaborations
- Songwriting and Collaborations
Andy Stochansky: American Musician, Vocalist, and Composer
Early Career and Ani DiFrancoAndy Stochansky is an American musician, vocalist, and composer who rose to prominence in the early 1990s as one of the most sought-after drummers on the Canadian music scene. He played in over eight local Toronto bands and signed a contract with RCA Records, making his mark as a session musician.
His popularity caught the attention of singer-songwriter Ani DiFranco, who invited him to join her band and become her tour director. Stochansky recalls, "[We] kind of looked at each other and said, 'This could be something special.'" Their performances grew from playing at small-town university cafes with audiences of 15 to touring the world.
Solo Album and Critical Acclaim
After seven years of touring, Stochansky decided to expand his musical horizons. He transitioned to playing guitar and piano and released his debut solo album, "RadioFusebox," in 1999. The album received widespread critical acclaim, with critics hailing it as one of the best records of the year. Joan Anderman of The Boston Globe called it "the best thing at SXSW," while David Byrne of Talking Heads became an avid fan.
Pop Album and Stardom
Following the success of "RadioFusebox," Stochansky switched gears and focused on creating a pop album that would establish his own unique sound. He developed a track called "Stutter," which became an instant hit and opened doors for him. Stochansky quickly wrote 35 new songs and secured a showcase with an independent promoter in California.
During his mini-tour in Los Angeles, Stochansky received contract offers from three record labels, including RCA Victor. His album "5 Star Motel" was released in the summer of 2001, with the songs "Wonderful (It's Superman)" and "Stutter" garnering significant radio airplay. However, the album's promotional plans were disrupted by the events of September 11, 2001.
Continued Success and Collaborations
Undeterred, Stochansky continued to write music. For his next album, "100," he collaborated with Johnny Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls. Despite warnings from Rzeznik about potential criticism, Stochansky embraced the opportunity to take his music to new heights. The album was ultimately not released by RCA due to corporate restructuring and layoffs.
Stochansky established his own label and released the album's first single, "Shine," a cover of the Shannon Noll song. It became an instant hit in Australia, breaking records on the Australian Airplay chart. A second single, "House of Gold," became a radio hit in Canada after its release on the independent label Linus.
Songwriting and Collaborations
Stochansky currently resides between Los Angeles and Nashville, where he continues to write songs for other artists. He recently penned three songs for Rzeznik's album "Something For The Rest of Us." His song "Beautiful Like You" was recorded by American Idol winner Lee Dewyze for his album "Live It Up." Damien Leith also released Stochansky's compositions "Sorry" and "Wouldn't Change A Thing." The song "Shine" was featured in the American film "Better Than The Steins."
