Shawn Lightfoot

Shawn Lightfoot may have visited Jacksonville, Florida in 2000 under the guise of a quick return to North Carolina to finish music school, but he soon found his career as an opera singer had met an untimely end. Struggling with bills, Lightfoot made the decision to make his home in Jacksonville. Years of studying music have afforded him with an ear for music that transcends the run of the mill music songwriter. Gaining inspiration from the bohemian neighborhood of 5 Points, his lyrics strut with their heart on their sleeves and deliver a caustic wit through booming tenor vocals. Assertive melodies act as snapshots capturing the angst of the South as he performs in the self-conscious bravado of a jazz singer. Suit and tie with his occasional guitar solos help him resuscitate the pulse of gospel hymns, folk, country, and the homespun sound reminiscent to Jeff Buckley if he were Billy Holiday for the day. His sound equates to 50% captivation, 50% uneasiness, and 50% serene tranquility. Lightfoot started performing at Fuel and quickly became a staple in the local music scene of Jacksonville. Soon he had a steady fan base and started his band The Lightfoot Brigade. Four years later and over 300 hundred shows played in every smoky venue in the region, Lightfoot has gone back to playing solo. He released Nocturnes and Serenades in 2006 and acclaimed reviews by numerous publications and his song writing capabilities won him a finalist spot at the 2008 Suwannee Springfest Songwriting Competition. Recently, Lightfoot’s second EP That Old Sweet Southern Style was released in December of 2008.

 

Watch Shawn Perform at: 

Jan 23 Le Rendezvous 9 p.m.

Feb 6 The Green Home Store 9 p.m.

Feb 11 The Casbah 9 p.m.