Photay

Photay is the alias of Evan Shornstein, a Brooklyn-based composer and percussionist whose work represents a significant bridge between global rhythmic traditions and modern electronic sound design. Emerging from Woodstock, NY, Shornstein's sound was fundamentally reshaped by a formative trip to Guinea to study West African drumming.

This influence manifests in his music through complex polyrhythms and a tactile approach to percussion that eschews standard 4/4 grid structures. His career arc shows a steady evolution from the beat-driven experimentation of his self-titled EP to the conceptual depth of 'On Hold' (which utilized telephonic hold music) and the environmental exploration of 'Windswept'. He occupies a unique cultural space between the indie-electronic scene of labels like Astro Nautico and the more avant-garde leanings of Mexican Summer. Critically, he is praised for his 'organic' electronic sound, often compared to artists like Bibio or Shigeto for his ability to blend field recordings with lush synthesis. His work has achieved significant sync success, appearing in 'Broad City' and Apple commercials, marking him as a rare experimentalist with genuine cross-over appeal.