Amy Sheppard Releases New Single And Announces Debut EP

After years spent as part of one of Australia's most popular musical exports, Amy Sheppard has gone solo, with new single Blue Guitar offering a second taste of her forthcoming debut EP, Nothing But Wild – set for release on September 16.

Following on from the arrival of the title track in April, which currently sits at #9 on the Countrytown Hot 50 Country Airplay Chart and previously peaked at #3, Blue Guitar is an immersive piece of vibrant country pop from the iconic Queensland artist.

Inspired to share a modern twist on the classic ‘90s ballads from iconic names like LeAnn Rimes, Faith Hill, and Shania Twain, Blue Guitar is as fierce as it is sparkling, bolstered by impassioned lyricism, a mesmerically powerful performance style, and dreamy instrumentation that transports the listener to the glory days of country music.

Working with producers Lindsay Rimes and Stuart Stuart, it emerged as the first country song that Amy wrote, who took it to brother George Sheppard for some further musical insights. Before long, it took on a new life as her favourite song from her upcoming EP.

Amy explains, “I really leaned into the beauty of country music storytelling. Country music gives permission for songwriters to weave creative stories, and this is where Blue Guitar was born. The storyline follows a woman who returns to visit her small hometown. When she enters a local bar, she is taken aback by a familiar voice. The man singing on the stage is her former lover who never quite made the big time. She notices he is still playing his blue guitar – the same one he used to write love songs to her on. She is filled with the same old feelings she had for him and begins to wonder if the songs he is singing today are still about her.”

The accompanying video sees Amy working with Natalie Sim and Alex Flamsteed from Method to my Madness, having previously teamed up with them for the clip to debut single, Nothing But Wild. With a resumé that also boasts clips for the likes of Jaguar Jonze and Sahara Beck, Amy notes that she felt like she was in safe hands as she stripped things back for the ethereal video.

Amy says, “I wanted to go back to basics and capture this video as a vocal performance with the usual other elements stripped back. We filmed it in the iconic Princess Theatre in Brisbane. I was also inspired by the mood and lighting of videos by James Bay and LeAnn Rimes.”

Having launched her musical career as a member of Sheppard which she founded with her brother George in 2009, Amy has enjoyed global chart success on numerous occasions. This year however sees her going solo for the first time. 

Working with a number of impressive songwriters for the EP – including Trannie Anderson, George Sheppard, Jason Bovino, The Wolfe Brothers, and Phil Barton, to name a few – it’s a powerful release, and one that means a lot to Amy as a person and an artist. 

As she explains, the EP focuses on, “the spontaneity of love – whether it's rosy, messy or somewhere in between. Love by its very nature can send you off in many directions. This EP aims to capture that from different points of view.”

With the imminent release of Nothing But Wild, Amy will also be complementing its release with a number of live performances during August, September, and October. While any live show is an exciting experience for Amy, she notes that the solo nature of these shows will serve as something even more special for dedicated fans. 

As she explains, “I hope they'll have a great time! It's a combination of the EP tracks, some inspired covers and also some of the songs I recently wrote in Nashville. Should be a great show and I can't wait to perform as a solo artist!”

AMY SHEPPARD BLUE GUITAR LAUNCH SHOWS

FRI 12 AUG | EKKA, BRISBANE QLD
 Tickets available from www.ekka.com.au

SAT 10 SEPT | COUNTRY MUSIC RACEDAY, DOOMBEN RACECOURSE, BRISBANE QLD
 Tickets available from www.brc.com.au

FRI 16 SEPT | NOTHING BUT WILD EP LAUNCH, LEFTY’S OLD TIME MUSIC HALL, BRISBANE QLD
 Tickets available from www.amysheppardofficial.com

THUR 23 SEPT | CMC ROCKS QLD 2022, IPSWICH QLD
 SOLD OUT

SAT 1 OCT | SAVANNAH IN THE ROUND, MAREEBA QLD | ALL AGES
 Tickets available from www.savannahintheround.com.au

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Follow Amy Sheppard on her Facebook page here.