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Sheppard interview: 'I can't really compare our sound to anybody'

Sheppard were one of pop's big success stories of 2014.

The Australians' single 'Geronimo' became a global hit as its hook enamoured millions.

Their debut album 'Bombs Away' will finally get a UK release on May 18 and Pressparty caught up with singer George Sheppard to find out more about the record, being on Spotify and his thoughts on the recent 'Blurred Lines' ruling.

You recently played a headline London show - any plans to come back to the UK for a full tour?

"Yeah, I’m sure. It still changes week to week - we’re living like day to day at the moment. But I can only imagine we’ll do a full headline tour later this year in the UK."

Speaking about ‘Geronimo’…it’s been doing pretty well, hasn’t it?

"It’s done alright, yeah!"

What were your expectations when you were writing it? Did you ever expect it to get so big?

"Well I don’t think you can ever expect something like that to happen. It wasn’t really until when we started playing it live then people were asking about it later after the show. And then when it was released it took on a life of its own and it went further than we expected."

Do you ever worry it might overshadow your other material?

"Well if it wasn’t for ‘Geronimo’ then our other material might not have been heard. I think it’s a great advertisement for the rest of the album."

 

 

 

It’s done pretty well on Spotify, so what’s your take on Taylor Swift’s reluctance to go on the service?

"I think each to their own really. I don’t really have a problem with it, because Spotify has actually invented a new way for people to legally consume music. But I also understand where Taylor’s coming from. It obviously worked out for her - she had the No.1 album by a long shot that week."

For those who haven’t heard your music, how would you describe your sound?

"Well it’s pop music, but it’s like alternative pop. I can’t really compare it to anybody. It’s kind of like Mumford and Sons meets Coldplay, if that makes sense. There’s all different types of genres on the album - no two songs are alike."

You said recently that it’s like a mix of ‘sweet and sour’ - so how ‘sour’ does it go?

"There’s a song called ‘Lingering’ and its a slower, more down-tempo song. There’s no drums in it, and it’s more vocals."

What sort of themes run through the lyrics on the album?

"It’s a lot about being the underdog and picking yourself back up. Striving for success when all the odds are against you. Not be afraid to take a risk."

You’ve just come off a US tour supporting Meghan Trainor - how was it?

"She’s wonderful. Really down to earth, really intelligent and in control of her career. It’s something that we respect. She’s also a bit of a prankster."

Her song ‘All About That Bass’ promotes a positive body image - is that something that artists should be promoting more?

"I think so. I’ve got a blog and one my latest posts was about not worrying about how you look. Literally, it’s the most useless trait. It doesn’t really benefit anybody else. I’m really happy to see this new wave of positive body image going through the industry. You don’t have to be a supermodel to be attractive."

Is that insecurity something you’ve suffered from in the past?

"I think it’s something that everyone suffers from at some point in their life."

What’s your thoughts on the recent Blurred Lines/Marvin Gaye plagiarism ruling?

"I completely disagree with the ruling. I can definitely hear how the Marvin Gaye song influenced the Robin Thicke track. But honestly, there’s no grounds for the ruling. It’s just ridiculous to ask for seven million dollars. That’s a style of music. Will Metallica be suing Megadeth because the distorted guitars?"

As a songwriter, do you worry about it?

"It is a bit worrying. I know for a fact that everything is a remix, you know. If you can start copyrighting that inspiration, it’s dangerous for us all. It kind of gets me a little bit angry."

You won at the Australian songwriting awards APRA recently - are prizes like that important to you?

”I think of all of the awards that we've won, the APRA awards are probably the most respectable. They're peer voted - other songwriters and other people of the music industry vote - so it means a lot to us that our colleagues and peers voted for us like that. It's quite humbling."

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Watch Sheppard perform 'Geronimo' below: