The Awkward Stage was a Canadian indie pop band from Vancouver fronted by singer-songwriter Shane Nelken. The band's supporting lineup consisted of Tygh Runyan on lead guitar, Tony Koelwyn on drums and Chris Mitchell on trumpet and keyboards.
History Nelken, who works as a cremationist, had a longtime side career as a musician, supporting a number of artists including A. C. Newman, New Pornographers and Sparrow."The Awkward Stage Slimming Mirrors, Flattering Lights" . AllMusic Review by Mark Deming"Tragically unhip" . Georgia Straight, by Jennifer Van Evra on January 3, 2007 He put together The Awkward Stage (which included drummer Kurt Dahle),"Vancouver Buzz: Little Hamm On Big Screen And The Awkward Stage Sign To Mint". Chart Attack - Aug 4, 2006 and released a debut album, Heaven Is for Easy Girls, on Mint Records in 2006."The Awkward Stage Heaven is for Easy Girls" . Exclaim!, By Chris Whibbs Oct 01, 2006 Nelken performed much of the music himself, with some help from violinist Kim Koch and trumpeter Shaun Brodie."The Awkward Stage Heaven Is for Easy Girls" . Pop Matters, by Michael Keefe 29 November 2006 The album charted on Canadian campus radio"The Dears Return To The Top Of The Chart". Chart Attack - Oct 24, 2006 and CBC Radio 3, which named the band's song "We're Going for a Ride" one of its Top 94 songs of 2006., radio3.cbc.ca, 2006-12-31. Retrieved 2009-04-16.
With Tygh Runyan, Tony Koelwyn and Chris Mitchell, The Awkward Stage released a second album, Slimming Mirrors, Flattering Lights, in 2008."The Awkward Stage Slimming Mirrors, Flattering Lights" . Exclaim!, By Chris Whibbs Jun 10, 2008 The songs were written and arranged by Nelkin.
The band has been inactive since 2009.
Discography Heaven Is for Easy Girls (2006), Mint Records Slimming Mirrors, Flattering Lights (2008), Mint Records
References
External links The Awkward Stage official site The Awkward Stage profile at Mint Records Interview with Shane Nelken, October 8, 2008.