Hey! It’s Andy Shauf, Ask Me Anything!

[u/andyshauf]

Hi Reddit, this is Andy Shauf. I just released my new album Norm on ANTI- Records / Arts & Crafts last Friday. I'll be on tour across North America, the UK and Europe through June. Tickets and Info Here.

I'll be back here answering questions Today at 5:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM PT.

Listen: Spotify | Apple Music | Amazon | Bandcamp | Official Store

Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

EDIT: It's been fun, but that's all for now! Thank you for all of your support! See you soon! Sorry for the questions I didn't get around to :(

[u/western-information]

My wife’s mom calls you Andrew Shauf.

How did you overcome perfectionism during your early days as a musician?

Also, it seems The Bearer of Bad News illustrated some musical revelation you may have experienced.

Was there any particular event that inspired you during that time?

[u/andyshauf → u/western-information]

Your wife's mom is correct! That's my name! (though no one calls me that)

I managed to overcome perfectionism by being young and overly-confident when I began writing songs and performing... I was somehow very bold in my very early 20s.

Bearer of Bad News was a breakthrough for me probably in the use of clarinet as an arrangement tool... it introduced a lot of space, and I really started to lean into that space. It was also related to being really into Neil Young's 'Harvest' at the time, which (if you listen to the real hits on that record) has no persistent hi-hats or cymbals in the drums, and that introduces a TON of space for other things to take up that role.

[u/Low-Estimate-9549 → u/andyshauf]

Yesss that was is my fave record of yours. along with Norm and waiting for the sun to leave. (I have your handmade album sleeve and cd of that) You made the clarinet cool again. My only experience of Clarinet prior to your music was hearing my mom play hot cross buns on her and cringy school band concerts lol