The Awkward Stage was a Canadian indie pop band from Vancouver fronted by singer-songwriter Shane Nelken.
[1] The band's supporting lineup consisted 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 as a musician, supporting a number of artists including A. C. Newman, New Pornographers and Sparrow.
[2][3] He put together The Awkward Stage (which included drummer Kurt Dahle),[4] and released a debut album, Heaven Is for Easy Girls, on Mint Records in 2006.
[9] With Tygh Runyan, Tony Koelwyn and Chris Mitchell, The Awkward Stage released a second album, Slimming Mirrors, Flattering Lights, in 2008.