The Awkward Stage is a Canadian indie pop band, based in Vancouver, British Columbia and fronted by singer-songwriter Shane Nelken. Shane is joined by Tygh Runyan (of The Beans) on lead guitar, Tony Koelwyn (of Bossanova) on drums and Chris Mitchell (who also plays as an extra with the Vancouver Symphony) on trumpet and keyboards.
Nelken has 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. 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.