Vocals, Harmony Vocals, Guitar, Percussion... Shauna Sweeney. Additional Guitars & Vocals... Jason Montero, Ben Seffer, Ryan Haire. Bass Guitar... Chris Bonelli. Drums... Brett Segal, Rob Niemenan. Percussion... Shaen Houser.
Influences
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.
In a place like South Florida where seasoned players have been holding down gigs since before her birth, up-and-coming songstress Shauna Sweeney might have had her work cut out in carving a niche for herself. But to watch this charismatic singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist take the stage and floor the crowd with disarmingly candid lyrics and powerful, earthy vocals makes it easy to see how she has managed to do just that.
Recently featured on the cover of CityLink MetroMix Magazine, and in the Palm Beach Post's TGIF magazine, Sweeney has played hundreds of shows in her home state and across the east coast and continues to gain fans by offering up solid, groovy rhythms on both a sunflower-dressed acoustic guitar, and her beloved African djembe drum.
Sweeney’s infectious enthusiam and easygoing demeanor have made her a favorite at local venues such as the Old Key Lime House, West Palm's Clematis by Night series, and Miami's Tobacco Road. Recent performances also include the SunFest music festival opening for Matt Nathanson and Jack's Mannequin, a win at the Eddie's Attic Monday Night Singer-Songwriter Contest, and a season-long stint as the VIP-Level Performer for U Miami Hurricane Games at Dolphin Stadium.
Raised in "Suburbia-ville", CT until the age of 14, Shauna credits her family and a highly arts-oriented education for encouraging her musical prowess. With the help of an innovative school program, she recorded and published three songs by age 9, one of which became the theme song for a CT Public TV documentary. Sweeney’s fascination with harmonies and songwriting continued to blossom and by 15, when her family relocated to Ft. Lauderdale she was trying out her first guitar chords at local open mics. With years of choral experience and an “uncanny knack” for harmonies, as one band-mate would claim, this outgoing singer quickly was offered a plethora of singing opportunities, including with folk-indie favorites such as Eric Schwartz, Ellen Bukstel, acoustic-rock band Never Enough, and Latin Grammy Winner Paul Hoyle, who calls Shauna "...one of the most personable and charismatic musicians I have ever encountered!"
At 17, Sweeney was granted a scholarship and moved to Boston, to attend Emerson College and soak in Beantown’s abundant musical varieties. Despite becoming “completely enamored” with the city, the singer’s wanderlust soon won out; over the next four years she logged 100,000 miles behind the wheel, living for brief stints in Orlando and Chicago. She scheduled and produced a ten-city tour produced with then-partner Ryan Haire, spent a summer busking and exploring in Europe, and visited musical milieus in Atlanta and Asheville, NC. She credits this time with giving her additional perspective, and creative fodder.
Now back in South Florida to enjoy studio sessions and tropical weather, Sweeney seems to be aware that she's in a crazy, unpredictable industry that can be rough on idealistic folks like herself; “Of course, as with any profession, there are down sides to this business,” says the young entrepreneur with an easy, honest smile. “But every single time I’m ‘at work’ at a gig or in the studio, I have fun. I meet cool, interesting people constantly. And I get to make music every day. What could be better than that?”
SHAUNA'S NEW LP, CATCH THE LIGHT DROPS SUNDAY, OCT 25th & WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE ON MYSPACE!!
SHAUNA SWEENEY Acoustic Originals & Covers
RUM SHACK w/ JASON MONTERO Every Wednesday 9pm to 1 am (Lake Ave & L St) 606 Lake Ave, Lake Worth ph.561.588.2929
BIZAARE CAFÉ Every Friday 8- 11pm 921 Lake Ave, Lake Worth (Lake Ave & H St) ph.561.588.4488
OLD KEY LIME HOUSE w/ JASON MONTERO Every Sunday 3-7pm, 300 E. Ocean Ave, Lantana (Just east of Dixie Hwy) 561.582.1889 for info
KINGSHEAD PUB JAM NIGHT EVERY OTHER TUESDAY, Sign Up @ 8pm 2692 N University Dr 13, Sunrise. NE corner of Univ. & NW 25th Ct., Between Sunrise & Oakland Park Blvd 954.572.5933 for info
For music & additional details: shauna@shaunasweeney.com www.myspace.com/shaunasweeney http://www.shaunasweeney.com
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!
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