Hey, I’m Shaun Holton, a South Australian singer, musician, and songwriter. I’ve been making music for over three decades, from intimate venues to grand theaters, and I still get the same thrill every time I step on stage. These days, I have the incredible honor of being the lead vocalist for Southern Empire, a globally acclaimed progressive rock band. It’s an exciting new chapter—bringing my voice and passion for music to audiences around the world.
Beyond performing, I’m a multi-instrumentalist session player, jumping between drums, bass, guitar, and vocals for Sing It Live, a YouTube channel with over 200,000 subscribers and millions of views. I love the challenge of adapting to different styles, which has also led me to create two tribute shows: one dedicated to Jeff Buckley, where we recreate his recorded works in full-band performances, and the FARNSEY Tribute show, a return of the 2023-24 favourite high-energy tribute to the legendary John Farnham, featuring some amazing guest artists. In 2025, I also made my debut in the Adelaide Fringe Festival favourite 27 Club, joining a powerhouse lineup to celebrate rock’s most iconic legends.
On the original music front, I’m gearing up to release my self-produced album on October 24, 2025. This project is especially close to my heart—I wrote, performed, and recorded every note myself. It’s a culmination of decades of musical exploration, blending my influences into something raw, personal, and real.
Music has been part of my life for as long as I can remember, and my earliest influences came straight from my parents. My dad introduced me to Dire Straits and The Beatles, while my mum brought John Farnham into the mix, with splashes of Pink Floyd along the way. These days, my musical world is shaped just as much by my family. Thanks to the wonderfully chaotic mix of tastes in my house, my Spotify feed is an unpredictable ride—anything from The Norris Nuts and Melissa Etheridge to Vulfpeck, Polyphia, and Moonlight Scorpio. Social media’s random playlists keep me on my toes, and I love discovering new sounds through the people around me.
Outside of music, life is just as full. I’m a proud dad to three amazing kids and the caretaker of a very lively household that includes three dogs, two cats, and nine chickens. Alongside my wife, Antanika, I help mentor and support emerging artists in the South Australian music scene as a producer for up-and-coming talent.
When I’m not making music, you’ll probably find me geeking out over comic books or diving into deep conversations about life, art, and whether Batman could take on Superman (trust me, I have thoughts). Before music took over full-time, I also worked as a counsellor and psychotherapist, so understanding people and their stories has always been at the heart of what I do.
Let’s Connect
Check out my music, videos, and upcoming shows here: Shaun’s Linktree.
Reach out if you’d like to work with me, on music production, session music and shows.
