Shawn Byrne
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Shawn Byrne

| INDIE

| INDIE
Band Americana Folk

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Music

The best kept secret in music

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Discography

Closer to my Home (2003)

Photos

Feeling a bit camera shy

Bio

"When I was a kid my dad had this gorgeous gold top Les Paul he kept under
his bed. When he wasn't home I would sneak in there and play it. Well now
it's my guitar," Shawn says with a smile.

Music is part of Shawn's DNA. He grew up in the wings of the stage watching
his father play in his successful polka band, "the Happy Travelers". Though
polka music was his father's bread and butter, it was rock and roll that was
listened to at home. His dad would often boast that he was the only father
who would yell to his kids, "HEY! TURN THAT MUSIC UP!" Turn it up they
did. "I had a veritable education listening to my dad's eclectic record
collection. Then in '87 my mom took me to see a U2 concert and that was it.
I knew what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. Play!."

At the age of 15, Shawn's first band "the Betties" was formed with some
neighborhood friends. For the next 5 years the band would record several
records together and be recognized as "one of Connecticut's best new
unsigned bands" by the Hartford Advocate.

When Shawn left Connecticut for Boston to attend the Berklee College of
Music, he quickly became a regular on the club circuit. His rhythmic depth,
tone and impeccable ear made him a valuable asset to the band "Poundcake",
who won the 1997 Boston Music Award winner for best indie single. During this time, Shawn also helped form "The Kickbacks", a tight, roots-flavored rock and
roll band that recorded three records together and had music featured on the
hit television series "Dawson's Creek".

It wasn't until Shawn had a brush with death that he felt the urge to
explore the realm of lyric writing. "My lung collapsed spontaneously one
day and it almost killed me. That was a very, very painful time for me but
I came out with a fresh perspective. Life is short. Get busy."

Shawn's first solo record titled "Closer to my Home" is the diamond that
came from the coal. It's a collection of inspired songs that honestly
explore the topics of love, loss, and redemption. "Closer to my Home" shows
an artist that has matured to create his own sound using a unique blend of
roots influenced pop and country storytelling. "Outstanding songwriting and
impeccable musicianship" say the good folks at sodapoprecords.net.

With his new solo record under his belt, Shawn packed up the van and headed
south to "Music City" Nashville, TN where he currently resides.