
AM Shanley is a Belfast-based singer-songwriter whose roots in music began early. He grew up around a guitar because his father played, and by age eight he was already taking guitar lessons and immersed in the craft.
His work draws on a wide palette of influences—from American punk and hardcore to blues, alternative country, and jangly indie pop. He cites artists such as PJ Harvey and The Smiths as having a significant impact on him in his teens.
As a songwriter, Shanley is interested in capturing small, fleeting sensory moments—the glimpses beneath the surface of life, rather than big dramatic narratives.
His debut single, “Redshifting”, was released in 2020 and marked his move toward establishing himself as an artist. He released his debut album American Vanilla in 2025, which gathered together singles he had been releasing since 2020, and showcased his signature blend of lo-fi jangle-pop, alternative pop/rock and melodic storytelling.
Shanley handles vocals, guitar, keyboards and piano, and his recordings typically feature rich instrumentation (lap steel, synths, Rhodes, etc) delivered with a subtle, introspective tone.