Mom, Dad, Linda Wise, Julie Hodson-Hacker, Nicolette Sweeney, Michael Jackson, Dave Matthews Band, Alanis Morisette, Sheryl Crow, Jewel, Ryan Adams, John Mayer, Whiskeytown, CAB, Victor Wooten, Rob Hugh, Dr. 'K', Jack Johnson, Michael Mazochi, Matt Sneed, Gabe Dixon Band, Matt Nathanson, Howie Day, Jason Mraz, Corinne Bailey Rae, Tristan Prettyman, Schuyler Fiske, Kevin So, Kristin Capiello, Ellen & Gary Bukstel, Amy Carol Webb, Tom Prasado-Rao, Nick Annis, Beverly McClellan, The Spoon Benders, Phil Taylor, Paul Baker, Chris Wainwright, Bonnie Raitt, No Doubt, Rick Gasque, Third Eye Blind, The Cranberries, Weezer, Ben Folds Five.
Sounds Like
She's grateful for every experience, every person she knows, and every lesson learned.
Shauna Sweeney wrote her first song at age 5, in purple crayon--a six-line ditty about a boy that she knew, "a long time ago". Her lyrics may still touch on similar subjects, but her poignant phrases woven into resounding melodies reflect how much "living" she has accomplished in almost two decades since.
With a sunflower-laden acoustic guitar and her African Djembe drum in tow, this charismatic songstress has a gift for capturing hearts and ears everywhere she goes. Her original songs take listeners on a ride through precocious humor, disarming self-deprecation, and the vulnerability of love.
Recently featured on the cover of CityLink MetroMix Magazine, and in the Palm Beach Post's TGIF magazine, the New England native is also known for her good-natured persona and infectious enthusiasm; "The last few years, getting to play 4, 5, 6 shows a week has been amazing. And with my band coming together and the opportunities we've had, 2009 has definitely been the best year yet."
Indeed. A list of Sweeney's performance credits include:
Sunfest Music Festival, West Palm Beach, FL
Opening for Matt Nathanson, Jack's Mannequin, & Erin McCarley
Several return performances at West Palm's
Clematis by Night Concert Series at CityPlace Ampitheatre
Season-Long Resident Band for VIP Level Half-Time Performances
For UMiami Hurricane football games at Dolphin Stadium
VIP Room Performance for Dave Matthews Band concert
at Cruzan Ampitheatre, West Palm Beach, FL
UMiami's First Annual Blood Drive Event at Landshark (Dolphin) Stadium
Songwriter's Shoot-Out Finalist at Atlanta's Renowned Eddie's Attic
S. Florida's Renowned Venues Tobacco Road, Bamboo Room,
Riverfront Ampitheatre, Alligator Alley, Cheers Lounge, etc.
Hartford's Renowned Venues Webster Theatre, Airport Rd Cafe, etc.
Boston's Renowned Venues Club Passim, the Burren, the Black Rose, etc.
Mainstage performances at South Florida Folk & Acoustic Music Festival
Riverwalk Blues Festival, Ft. Lauderdale FL
Background Vocals in performances for Tom Prasada-Rao,
John Lennon Song Contest winner Ellen Bukstel, and Amy Carol Webb
Radio and TV Credits include:
CBS 12 West Palm's Daybreak Morning TV Show
WTFL's Gold Coast Weekly Radio Show w/George West
88.9 FM's Bohemian Manifesto Radio Show w/Grace Cabezas
In addition to performing live, the curious and adventurous Sweeney enjoys being an entrepeneur and a "Jane-Of-All-Trades". She single-handedly produced a ten-city tour with former music partner Ryan Haire, produced and hosted a plethora of Songwriter performance events at venues around South Florida, wrote and published music articles for "9ine" Magazine, and co-produced both her 2008 demo CD and her brand-new 7-Song collection, Catch the Light. Having spent time living in W Hartford CT, Boston MA, Chicago IL, and Orlando in addition to South Florida, Shauna credits these experiences, as well as a highly arts-oriented upbringing, for inspiring her songwriting.
"People ask where I get the ideas for my songs, and to me it's sort of like dreaming; sometimes it's straightforward and other times, very abstract. Sometimes different elements come to mind that make you think, 'whoa, where did THAT come from?!' And one of the great parts is seeing how the different pieces swirl around together until they become the cohesive whole."
On "Catch the Light", the opening cut is her popular single "Another Day", a jaunty, contagiously fun tune about seizing--or not seizing--the moment. "It's not my style/ I don't wanna pretend anymore/ I hate these games we play/ Behind my smile, you see it's you who I adore/ But I'll keep up with this charade, Ooh for another day", is the chorus you can't stop singing along to. Among other gems on the collection is the title track, "Catch the Light". Originally written as a commissioned piece for a color software company called Koloroo (koloroo.com), and intended to promote the company's philosophy of helping others, the song grew into what it became-- an uplifting anthem about embracing differences in others and working for a common purpose. Shauna's voice rings out on the refrain, "Every shade is perfectly made, to help the others catch the light/ When the colors of our soul shine for the common goal, that's how we can make it bright/ That's how we catch the light".
Shauna Sweeney says she will play music forever, whether it be for an audience of 1, or 100,000. But the sky is the limit for this emerging chanteuse--accolades for the new CD are already pouring in, as she and her band prepare for upcoming touring and promotional opportunities in 2010 and beyond. Attend one of her live performances, order her album--and you too, can Catch the Light!!!
Reviews:
Latin Grammy Winner Paul Hoyle, who calls Shauna "...one of the most personable and charismatic musicians I have ever encountered!"
Hey how are you, what’s going on? Things are going good for me right now, and I actually am a part of another contest; I was wondering if you could help me out… Go to this site, and vote for my song “Soul Shaker” I’m not sure how I got into this, but I am in the finals so if you enjoy my music, help me out a bit!
