Lafontaine weaves dark, instrumental tales from the shadows. Detroit-born, Duluth-honed, his music echoes life’s raw edges. Enter his world of sinister melodies and unspoken stories. #ThornSliverSmolder

Lafontaine, a Detroit-born, Duluth-raised musician, blends rock and metal in his gripping narrative-driven music. Overcoming a challenging upbringing, he crafts poignant, instrumental storytelling. His re-released LP M.M.I. and upcoming EP “Thorn, Sliver, Smolder” showcase his journey from adversity to artistry.

Born in Detroit in 1971 and raised in Duluth, Minnesota, Lafontaine‘s music is a reflection of his challenging life journey. Growing up on barroom floors, he found solace and expression in music, particularly through his guitar. His style, influenced by diverse artists ranging from Metallica to Beastie Boys to Stevie Ray Vaughn, blends rock, metal, and prog-rock. His LP, M.M.I., re-released in 2021, showcases this blend. Lafontaine’s upcoming EP, “Thorn, Sliver, Smolder,” continues his exploration, offering instrumental tracks that narrate his personal growth. His music is a testament to overcoming adversity and finding one’s voice through art.

In the relentless march of time, where dreams risk being consumed by reality, Lafontaine emerges as a beacon of artistic resilience and unwavering creativity. Born in 1971 in Detroit and honed on the barroom floors of Duluth, Minnesota, his music journey mirrors his survival against the odds. An outsider, Lafontaine’s music echoes his tumultuous life, transforming personal strife into a tapestry of Rock, Hard Rock, Prog Rock, Metal, and Post Rock.

His guitar, more than an instrument, was his sanctuary amid chaos, articulating the unspoken struggles of his youth. Influenced by legends like Robert Johnson and Led Zeppelin, his music is imbued with authenticity and the grit of his working-class roots. Lafontaine’s compositions often carry themes that reflect on his experience as an outcast.

Growing up, his bond with music was initially shaped by rare demos – getting his hands on Metallica’s Kill ‘Em All before anyone else had heard them. Exactly how, no one knows. Fast forward a few years when he started working the doors at iconic venues like The Cabooze and The Joint. These experiences enriched his artistic palette, blending the energy of punk with progressive rock’s intricate melodies. 

The 2000s marked a period of loss and rediscovery for Lafontaine. Despite the economic downturn costing him much of his equipment and unreleased work, he persevered, finding new expression and evolving his music. His LP M.M.I., lost and then re-released in 2021, encapsulates this journey.

Now, Lafontaine is set to unveil his latest EP, “Thorn, Sliver, Smolder,” a narrative-driven instrumental masterpiece reflecting his artistic evolution. Each track is an immersive experience, echoing his journey from outcast to a purveyor of musical landscapes. For Lafontaine, music transcends being an art form; it’s a lifeline, a voice for the voiceless, and a symbol of hope. His story and music remind us that creativity’s light never dims, even in the darkest times. Stay tuned for an experience that resonates with the core of human existence.

In a world where time relentlessly marches on, threatening to engulf our desires and obliterate our dreams, there are rare beacons of enduring light and unwavering creativity. 

Lafontaine is a paragon of such artistic resilience and purity of intent, crafting art that transcends mere entertainment.

Nestled in the snow-capped peaks of Duluth, Minnesota, Lafontaine’s story is one of survival, resilience, and an indomitable spirit. Born Sean Lafontaine in 1971 in the rock-laden landscape of Detroit, his life has been a remarkable voyage through the realms of rock and roll, metal, and punk. His narrative is not just a series of musical compositions but a testament to his battles and triumphs against overwhelming odds. Repeatedly abandoned and cast aside, even by those closest to him, Lafontaine has carved a distinctive path in the music world, echoing his tumultuous life journey.

Lafontaine’s earliest memories are steeped in the harsh realities of barroom floors, where the sticky residue of beer and the cacophony of broken dreams were his cradle. In these environments, clouded with cigarette smoke and the noise of life’s chaos, he discovered his voice through the strings of a guitar. This instrument wasn’t merely a tool of music; it was his sanctuary, his medium to express the unspeakable trials and tribulations of a life less traveled.

Drawing inspiration from musical titans like Robert Johnson, Led Zeppelin, Metallica, and Megadeth, Lafontaine’s sound is a rich tapestry of Rock, Hard Rock, Prog Rock, Metal, and Post Rock. Each melody and harmony is infused with the grit and authenticity of his working-class roots. Unlike a typical instrumentalist, his music often features poignant lyrics that narrate his experience as an outsider, an outcast within his own story.

Lafontaine’s bond with music is profound and deeply personal, shaped by rare demos that mysteriously found their way to him in Duluth. These treasures, coming from places like San Francisco and New York, played a significant role in his artistic and personal development. Of course, working the doors for legendary blue-collar venues like The Cabooze and The Joint also helped. Immersed in the vibrant music scene of the 80s and 90s, his days (and nights) were marked by encounters with emerging talents and established acts, each leaving an indelible mark on him. During these decades, Lafontaine absorbed the eclectic mix of sounds around him, from the raw energy of punk to the intricate melodies of progressive rock.

As the new millennium dawned, Lafontaine’s journey took yet another turn. The 2000s were a period of both loss and rediscovery for him. The economic downturn hit hard, and with it came the loss of much of his musical equipment and some unreleased compositions. This setback, however, didn’t deter him. It instead fueled his resolve to rebuild and redefine his musical identity. Armed with an old acoustic guitar from his basement, Lafontaine continued to compose, his music evolving with his experiences.

In the ensuing years, his music became a reflection of his resilience. While keeping himself employed by any means (whether up a tree or in the digital realm), he never let go of his passion for music. His creativity thrived as he found new ways to blend the influences of his past with the contemporary sounds of the present. This period saw the birth of new compositions, each carrying the depth of his life’s experiences and the breadth of his musical influences.

His discography, particularly the LP M.M.I., recovered from the wreckage of its earliest release back in the late 90’s, and re-released in October 2021, exemplifies this journey. 

Now, Lafontaine stands on the cusp of revealing his latest EP, “Thorn, Sliver, Smolder,” an instrumental opus that vividly captures his artistic essence. Each track of this instrumental EP is a soundscape painting a picture of an avatar of protection, a shield from the troubles of the world and an ally in the darkness. As we await Lafontaine’s latest work, we prepare not just for new music but to witness the ongoing journey of a man who turned his outcast status into a powerful narrative of survival and artistic integrity.

For Lafontaine, music is more than an artistic pursuit; it’s a lifeline. It’s a medium to connect with the world and to give voice to the voiceless. His story serves as a beacon of hope, reminding us that even in the darkest times, the light of creativity and determination cannot be quenched. Stay tuned for a musical experience that promises to transcend the ordinary and resonate at the very core of our existence.