Sheppard are more than just a band. They are a family.
Well, to be specific, the Aussie natives are comprised of three siblings and three good friends, who together are making music that is taking the world by storm. Having already gone 5x platinum with their hit single “Geronimo” in Australia, Sheppard released their full LP in the United States this past Tuesday, are wrapping up a US tour with pop-sensation Meghan Trainor, and will have a whole day off before they launch their European tour next week. On the day the album dropped, they had a 78% likelihood of hitting the Billboard 200.
It all started back in Brisbane when Amy Sheppard had a university assignment to write a song. Something was missing from the track – she needed harmonies. When she heard her brother George crooning in the shower, she decided to ask for his help. Amy, George, and a friend from Sydney, Jason Bovino, started writing songs and independently recording an album. Little sister Emma, guitarist Michael Butler, and drummer Dean Gordon eventually joined the team, and the rest is pretty much history.
Sheppard are buzzing more than ever. They saw about 20,000 views to their Wikipedia page in the past month, and more than 12,000
The three songwriters meld very different styles together, which is clear in how much variety there is on the pop album. They also alternate between male and female vocal leads. George spearheads tracks like “Geromino,” and “Find Someone,” while Amy takes charge on singles like “Smile.”
While the band knew they had a hit on their hands when they recorded “Geronimo,” nothing could have prepared them for what was to ensue. “We knew we had something special,” says Amy, “but it surpassed all our expectations.” Despite their newfound celebrity, they say having a normal life still isn’t too hard, though it can be hard to find time for coffee with friends, and Amy’s bright blue hair doesn’t exactly let her blend into the crowd.
The decision to release the album in the US now was fairly straightforward. “The timing was just right in the United States,” says George. “Geronimo has been doing really well over here.”
Their US radio spins have been steadily increasing – about 35,000 spins since the beginning of the year is close to a 300% increase from the three months prior. Their American fan base has been growing rapidly on social (The U.S. has surpassed Australia as the band’s most active country on Twitter), they made their U.S. television debut on Ellen last fall, and played the coveted Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon this February. “It just seemed like the perfect time to release the album over here,” he says, “It has been a dream of ours for a long time.”
Their debut 18-stop U.S. tour alongside Meghan Trainor has also been a success, and not to mention fun. “It’s Meghan’s first tour around the U.S. as well,” says Amy. “So we’ve had something to bond over – going through this for the first time together.” Touring here is definitely different than at home. “There is a lot more country, a lot more cities that you have to visit,” chuckles George. He also says there seems to be more anticipation, given that they are Australian. “You’re an overseas act, and to have made it over to the States, you must be ok at what you’re doing.”
They’re tired, but excited. “It’s a lot of early mornings and late nights,” says George, “but we’re getting opportunities that a lot of people could only dream about, so that keeps us going.”
And it’s not just musical talent they possess in droves, they’ve been in the game long enough to really understand the business side of entertainment as well. Sheppard are still independent in Australia, having established their own record label
Sheppard has already worked with major brands, on a national scale. Among them, syncing a track to an Australian
"The whole 'sellout' thing is a load of crap to me," he explains. "You need money to be able to sustain this business, this career." While creative campaigns and the right fit are important, he says you have to be realistic about the business aspects of this industry. "It's not cheap to go touring, and to set up a band. It's quite a lot of hard work, and it's very expensive. So when an opportunity comes along - like with Subway – not only is it great exposure for us, but they give us money for it." These deals are what allow Sheppard to tour the U.S., and promote their music worldwide.
"If it is something I would personally endorse, then I don't have a problem with it."
As the album hits U.S. shelves, the band is on whirlwind of tour dates and press appearances. But they still find time for fun. There is that element of sibling shenanigans of course, but apparently George is a particular prankster with a penchant for scaring his bandmates. But he gets his comeuppance from time to time, like when bandmate Jason once hid in his bedroom closet for 20 minutes before bursting out while he was getting ready. It just takes a bit of commitment. Just like a career in music.
