Andy Shauf performing a live acoustic set.

When I heard that Andy Shauf was coming to do a concert in Saskatoon with local artist Zachary Lucky, I knew that I had to get an interview with him.

While Shauf, who is playing on Sept. 27 at Village Guitar and Amp Co., performs in Saskatoon a couple times a year, there is extra buzz around his name this fall as he is set to release a full-length album, The Bearer of Bad News, Nov. 6.

For over seven years, Shauf has accumulated a cult following with his elaborate storytelling set to his innovative folk sound. A fan myself, I have watched this following grow, often seeing the same people at his concerts mixed with the new fans. His sound has been compared to Paul Simon, Neil Young and Elliott Smith. Shauf’s fans love him for his haunting and honest lyrics and simultaneously catchy and melancholy melodies.

He will kick off a western Canadian tour Oct. 27 in Vancouver and will be playing in Saskatoon again on Nov. 8 at Vangeli’s Tavern.

The Sheaf: Your new album The Bearer of Bad News is out on Nov. 6. What makes this album different than some of your previous work?

Andy Shauf: It’s a little bit darker…. Lots of my other stuff I recorded pretty quickly, like my first album, Darker Days, I recorded in five days and then the next EP I recorded in one day. But the new one I’ve been working on for two years, so it’s more refined.

The Sheaf: What is your favorite song to play right now off the new album? Why?

Andy Shauf: My favorite song to play right now is one called “Wendell Walker.” It’s a murder ballad. It’s pretty fun. I like seeing people’s reactions but usually it just makes people really bummed out.

The Sheaf: Many of your songs, like “Wendell Walker” and “Sam Jones,” tell another person’s story. Are some of these names pseudonyms for yourself, or do you find inspiration in the stories of others.

Andy Shauf: In lots of the characters in my stories I can see myself being there in certain ways… not in the killing people parts. I started doing the stories thing just because I had written a lot about the things that happened to me, and the things that happened to me are kind of repetitive, like relationship things. I find that you can’t keep writing about that and keep it fresh.

The Sheaf: Who are more interesting to you — people in real life, or the people you create in your music?

Andy Shauf: The people in my life are pretty interesting but you can do whatever you want with the people you make up so they can be very interesting.

The Sheaf: How much does working and travelling with other musicians, such as Zachary Lucky, affect your own work as a musician?

Andy Shauf: Seeing someone like Zach who has a really good work ethic makes me realize how lazy I am in some aspects of the music business. Zach is constantly touring and doing stuff like that, and I’m kind of the opposite and just jump on Zach’s tours. He’s taught me a lot in that respect.

The Sheaf: Do you prefer the writing and producing side of music rather than performing?

Andy Shauf: I like both parts of it. I guess I like writing and recording and making music probably more than touring but I do like touring. I think it’s an adventure.

The Sheaf: Is there a continuous theme that you find yourself returning to within your music?

Andy Shauf: I return a lot to the idea of religion… It has played a big role in my life. I think about it a lot, so it comes out a lot. I’m not religious, but it’s a great mystery.

The Sheaf: What musician, living or dead, would be your ultimate choice to do a collaboration with?

Andy Shauf: I would do a collaboration with Paul McCartney when he was in the Beatles.

Andy Shauf and Zachary Lucky will be performing Thursday, Sept. 27 at Village Guitar at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 adv or $12 at the door. Advance tickets are available from Village Guitar or by calling 652-8422.

This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.

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Photo: K L Photography/Flickr