PHOTAY
Photay
Photay is the alias of Evan Shornstein, a Woodstock, NY-based composer, drummer, DJ and producer. Introduced to Aphex Twin at age nine, he grew up absorbing drumming, turntablism and composition; an eye-opening trip to Guinea, West Africa, where he studied polyrhythmic percussion, gave the project its name and its restless, sample-driven identity. Across a quartet of acclaimed albums he weaves intricate chamber-pop arrangements, post-techno electronic textures, field recordings and a love of Black Atlantic polyrhythms into something distinctly his own. His machine-built yet organic sound has found homes on highly regarded labels including Astro Nautico, Ninja Tune, Mexican Summer, International Anthem and Infinite Machine. Recent work includes the albums 'Windswept' (2024) and 'Windswept: Expansions' (2025) and the 2026 single 'Always Cosmic.'
OBRA BY PHOTAY
20 RELEASES2026
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
Bio
Photay is the alias of Evan Shornstein, a Woodstock, NY-based composer, drummer, DJ and producer. Introduced to Aphex Twin at age nine, he grew up absorbing drumming, turntablism and composition; an eye-opening trip to Guinea, West Africa, where he studied polyrhythmic percussion, gave the project its name and its restless, sample-driven identity. Across a quartet of acclaimed albums he weaves intricate chamber-pop arrangements, post-techno electronic textures, field recordings and a love of Black Atlantic polyrhythms into something distinctly his own. His machine-built yet organic sound has found homes on highly regarded labels including Astro Nautico, Ninja Tune, Mexican Summer, International Anthem and Infinite Machine. Recent work includes the albums 'Windswept' (2024) and 'Windswept: Expansions' (2025) and the 2026 single 'Always Cosmic.'
Credits
- Photay·
- Carlos Niño·
- United Freedom Collective·
- WEMA·
- Msafiri Zawose·
- Phil Moffa·
- Steve Spacek·
- Yazmin Lacey·
- Conclave·
- Toribio·
- Madison McFerrin
Coordinates
- Handle
- photay
- Spotify
- 11,235,900
- Total
- 11,235,900