SOCAN Song of the Week

Andy Stochansky - “Champion”

• Written by Andy Stochansky
  
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• Toronto-born singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Andy Stochansky spent seven years as a touring and studio musician for Ani DiFranco. After a series of critically acclaimed records, Stochansky had his song “Shine” covered by Australian Idol winner Shannon Noll, a version that reached No. 1 on the Australian Singles Chart. The song later landed various film, TV, and commercial syncs, and served as the theme song for the Commonwealth Games. Having settled in L.A., Stochansky has penned music for everyone from Dragonette to Goo Goo Dolls to Lola Lennox (produced by her mother Annie Lennox). He co-wrote “Hyper Love,” which earned a Top 10 entry on the Billboard Dance Singles Chart. Other major placements included the song “Northern Lights” for The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 soundtrack, which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Top Rock Albums Chart and No. 4 on the Billboard 200. In 2020, he introduced White Elephant Orchestra with a debut LP, and in 2024, released his current album Poetry Of Birds – which includes the stripped-down soundscape, captivating vocal performance, and concise storytelling of “Champion.” “After a concert, my wife and I went to this diner,” says Stochansky. “One waitress was alone, and she was serving easily 100 people. I realized I could never do that job. I was sitting in the booth, and this whole story came to me. She’s surrounded by craziness, but she’s staying calm and killing it.”