Andy Stochansky Brings Heart and Soul to His New Album Poetry of Birds

By Robert White, Editor-In-Chief

Andy Stochansky is no stranger to the music industry. With a career that has spanned decades, the Canada-born, LA-based singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist has worked alongside some of the biggest names in music, including Ani DiFranco, Goo Goo Dolls, and Dragonette. But now, after years of writing for others, he’s stepping back into the spotlight with his own voice, releasing the new single Oxygen from his upcoming album Poetry of Birds.

“I love collaboration, but I had a real need for my own voice to be out there again,” Stochansky shared. “Lyrically, I have a pretty high bar for myself because the people I’ve worked with also had such high bars. I just wanted to be able to knock this project out of the park on my own.”

Poetry of Birds is deeply personal, capturing the beauty of simplicity and the importance of human connection. “It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the modern world,” Stochansky said. “I love electronics as much as anybody else does, but I wanted to show some respect to nature. It can teach us everything we need.” The album's title speaks to that theme—finding poetry in the everyday, in nature, in human relationships, and in the quiet moments that often go unnoticed.

His new single Oxygen is a testament to this message. With bright acoustic strumming and a stirring melody, the song is an anthem of support and reassurance. “I wrote that song about a friend who went through a really bad divorce,” Stochansky explained. “I wasn’t around him in Toronto, so all I could do was check up on him through FaceTime and just hear him out. It’s just about helping somebody else.” That powerful message is embedded in the song’s chorus: Let me be your oxygen. It’s a reminder that even in difficult times, having someone to lean on can make all the difference.

The song’s accompanying music video keeps the focus on the lyrics, with Stochansky delivering an understated yet compelling performance. “I love making videos again,” he said. “It’s all new to me, too. It’s kind of scary.” Despite his modesty, the video perfectly encapsulates the song’s essence—emphasizing emotion and connection rather than flashy visuals.

Stochansky’s musical journey is as impressive as it is diverse. He started as a drummer at just five years old, thanks to supportive parents who gifted him his first drum kit. Growing up in Toronto, he absorbed a wide range of influences from the eclectic mix of records his family owned. “They belonged to this record club, and suddenly all these records started appearing,” he recalled. “It was a cross of everything—Xavier Cugat, Barry White, polka, classical. I was listening to all this stuff and taking it all in.”

His career took off when he joined Ani DiFranco’s band, touring with her for seven years and playing over 150 shows annually. “I felt like we were on a mission,” he said of that time. “The fans had such absolute love for her. It was like four people in a bar, then the next time we came to town, it was eight people with T-shirts and cassettes. Just watching that growth was incredible.”

Stochansky’s talent eventually caught the attention of RCA Records, leading to a solo career that produced albums like Radio Fusebox, Five Star Motel, and 100. It was during this time that Goo Goo Dolls frontman Johnny Rzeznik heard one of his early recordings and immediately wanted to work with him. “He was on tour listening to a bunch of CDs, and when he heard mine, he was like, ‘What is that? I want to produce that record,’” Stochansky recalled. Their collaboration led to 100 and later co-writing Home for the Goo Goo Dolls’ album Something for the Rest of Us.

His ability to craft deeply resonant songs has made him a sought-after songwriter, with artists like Dragonette, Lola Lennox, and Ferry Corsten recording his work. But despite his success in co-writing, Stochansky felt a pull to return to his own music. Poetry of Birds is the result of that journey—a collection of songs that reflect his personal experiences, observations, and emotions.

One of the standout tracks from the album is Beautiful Sky, which was the first song he wrote for the project. “It’s specifically about being overwhelmed by social media,” he said. “Often, you need to walk outside, look up, and just chill from it all.” Another track, Champion, was inspired by a late-night diner experience. “My wife and I went to this diner after a concert, and there was one waitress serving easily a hundred people. I realized I could never do that job. She’s surrounded by craziness, but she’s staying calm and killing it.”

At its core, Poetry of Birds is about finding appreciation for life’s little moments. “I want people to walk away with a sense of hopefulness,” Stochansky said. “I hope this album is strong enough so you can remember the stories. I put a lot of care into them, and I’m happy to finally share them.”

For those who want to hear more from Andy Stochansky, Poetry of Birds will be released soon. In the meantime, you can stream Oxygen now and watch the official music video on YouTube. Follow Andy on Instagram (@houseofandy) for updates and more music.