Self-recording and playing almost every instrument – including many hand-crafted ones – Chad VanGaalen has become one of Canada’s most celebrated and unpredictable artists. In addition to being a twice Juno nominated and Polaris Prize shortlisted musician, Chad is also a celebrated illustrator and animator who has shown across Canada and in Europe.

He has animated videos for his own music, Yo Gabba Gabba!, and Holy Fuck, and his animated work and drawings have been shown in galleries and festivals worldwide. After building up a cult following with his first two albums, in 2008 Chad jumped into the public consciousness with his third album Soft Airplane, his most resolved and confident album to date, which again earned wide praise and a raft of award nominations.

Chad lives with his girlfriend and their two daughters in a rickety house in Calgary, and doesn’t like to leave home more than he absolutely has to. He is also 6.7".