The Awkward Stage

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The Awkward Stage

Background information
Origin	Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Genre(s)	Indie rock Pop
Years active	2006–present
Label(s)	Mint
Website	www.theawkwardstage.ca
Members
Shane Nelken Tygh Runyan Tony Koelwyn Chris Mitchell

The Awkward Stage is a Canadian indie pop band, based in Vancouver, British Columbia and fronted by singer-songwriter Shane Nelken. The band's supporting lineup currently consists of Tygh Runyan on lead guitar, Tony Koelwyn on drums and Chris Mitchell on trumpet and keyboards.

Nelken, who works as a cremationist, had a longtime side career in music as a supporting musician for artists such as A. C. Newman and Sparrow before forming his own band, which consists of Nelken with a rotating cast of other musicians. The Awkward Stage's debut album, Heaven Is for Easy Girls, was released on Mint Records in 2006 and quickly charted on Canadian campus radio and CBC Radio 3, which named the band's song "We're Going for a Ride" one of its Top 94 songs of 2006.

Nelken is also an occasional contributor to Radio 3, hosting a humorous audio advice column feature titled Dear Shane, and serving as an occasional guest host.