Sheppard – ZORA

By: Alejandra Gil M.

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) Our sound is a vibrant mix of epic, colorful and uplifting pop music. Imagine a blend of indie pop with a touch of rock and folk, all wrapped up in catchy melodies and powerful anthems. It’s music that aims to make you feel good and inspire you to sing your heart out.

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) We’ve got quite a broad stroke when it comes to influences. Of course, like a lot of artists, we’ve been inspired by many of the greats — Fleetwood Mac, The Beatles, Elton John, Cat Stevens, basically anyone who’s mastered the art of making timeless music that people can’t help but sing along to. Our greatest influence though probably has to go to Coldplay. The way they blend emotional depth with soaring melodies and powerful, anthemic choruses is something we strive to achieve in our own music.

Q) What has it meant to you to get more recognition for your music? “Geronimo” was a BIG hit for you!

A) It’s been absolutely incredible. “Geronimo” really put us on the map and opened so many doors for us. That early recognition we got with one of our first singles has allowed us to connect with fans all over the world, build a community of amazing people who are still listening to our music today. It’s humbling to see how our songs have resonated with so many people. It’s a dream come true for us and motivates us to keep making music and to push our creative boundaries.

Q) Your album ZORA came out on June 21. What is your songwriting process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

A) Our songwriting process is pretty fluid and collaborative. Sometimes a melody or a riff will spark the creation of a song, and other times, it’s a lyric or a concept that leads the way. There’s really no strict formula — each song has its own story of how it came about. But, personally, I do find that having a musical idea helps guide the lyrical content and overall vibe of the track.

Q) The album includes 16 tracks with songs like “Daylight,” “Respect,” “The Gift,” “Play on The Moon,” and my personal favorite, “Love Me Tomorrow.” Do you have a favorite song or one that was more emotional to perform for you?

A) It’s really tough to play favorites with this album because each track holds a special place in our lives, but if I had to choose one that I’m particularly proud of, I’ll go with “Play on the Moon.” It’s incredibly special as it’s the album’s closer and explores the poignant reality of how your dreams and expectations of your life evolve as you grow up. It’s a beautifully melancholic and nostalgic track that reflects on the boundlessness of youthful ambitions and the bittersweet process of letting some of those dreams go as we grow older. Playing this song always brings a flood of emotions, as it encapsulates so many personal experiences and the journey we’ve been on as a band and as individuals.

Q) One of the singles released is “Edge of the Earth.” Tell us the story behind it.

A) “Edge of the Earth” was written from the perspective of our partners and illustrates their devotion and commitment in packing up our lives and moving across the world with us to chase our dreams in the USA. It’s about the readiness to follow a loved one anywhere in an incredible display of loyalty and support. It resonates with the idea of taking a huge leap of faith together and feeling at home regardless of the destination.

Q) The single was also released with an official music video, produced and directed by Josh Harris. It’s such a fun video. How involved were you in the creative process?

A) We were quite involved in the creative process for the video. We wanted it to reflect the adventurous spirit of the song and the journey we’ve been on. Josh Harris did an amazing job bringing our vision to life, capturing the essence of the song while adding his own creative flair. It was a collaborative effort, and we had a blast making it. There are a few throwback moments in there (recreating a moment from the “Geronimo” International music video) – we even threw some choreography in there for good measure, even though we admittedly are NOT dancers. [laughs]

Q”) Edge of the Earth” was written and recorded in Los Angeles along with Neil Ormandy (James Arthur’s “Say You Won’t Let Go”) and Ethan Roberts (Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike with David Guetta’s “Complicated”). What made you want to work with them?

A) Working with Neil and Ethan was wonderful. It was such a fun and memorable day and so easy. The idea came about within the first couple of minutes of us jamming together and it all just flowed really well. They both bring a wealth of talent and a fresh perspective to the table, which I always appreciate. I love collaborating with all kinds of different people for that reason. As a songwriter you always want to be writing with different people as it keeps you on your toes as a songwriter and constantly forces you to step out of your comfort zone and experiment with things you might not have otherwise thought of.

Q) What song from the album has challenged you the most creatively?

A) I mean, they’ve all challenged us in one way or another, whether it’s been trying to find the right sound for a kick drum that wasn’t working, or a lyric that we couldn’t figure out, but “Respect” was probably the most challenging song to create. It’s about a friend of ours who was getting out of a nasty marriage and we wanted to address it without making the song too heavy. It was a delicate line to tread, lyrically. The challenge was finding the right balance between a fun, upbeat pop production and a serious, empowering message about self-worth and dignity in relationships. But, in the end, it came together beautifully and we’re really proud of how it turned out.

Q) ZORA will be your fourth full-length LP. What do you hope people take away from it or lingers with them emotionally?

A) We hope people find a piece of themselves in ZORA and feel a strong sense of connection to the themes of resilience and renewal. For us, creating this album was a therapeutic process; it was about healing, rediscovery and. of course, having as much fun as we possibly could. We poured our hearts into these songs, reflecting on our own experiences of overcoming challenges and embracing new beginnings. We just want our listeners to feel inspired to hold on for the warmth of that new daylight, even in their darkest moments. Ultimately, we hope that ZORA becomes the soundtrack to our fans’ lives, offering comfort, hope, and a reminder that brighter days are always up ahead.

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) Well, I’ve already mentioned Coldplay as a major influence (and who wouldn’t love to collaborate with them?), but we’re also excited about the idea of some out-of-the-box collaborations for the next project. Tame Impala producing a Sheppard record, for example, would be incredible. There’s a touch of psychedelic pop with our track “Dance on The Sun” and to collab with Kevin to create a full-length psychedelic pop album is something I’d LOVE to do, and it’d be cool to collab with a fellow Aussie – it’d be an album fueled by Tim Tams, Vegemite and great coffee.

Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why?

A) I’m kind of on a Rufus Du Sol binge at the moment. Their last album Surrender is on my playlist at the moment. It’s just so beautiful and expansive. I love the atmosphere and vivid imagery it conjures up for me. There is also a new tune I wish I’d written recently, “Look Who’s Laughing Now” by Benjamin Ingrosso. It’s got this addictively euphoric energy to it. It’s just a fun track to vibe to!

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) To all our fans and supporters, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Your love and support has always meant everything to us. We wouldn’t be where we are today without you, and we’re forever grateful for the opportunity to share our music with you. We hope ZORA resonates with you as much as it did with us, and we can’t wait to see you on the road!

All Questions Answered By George Sheppard