Oz hit makers follow Bieber’s lead
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Sheppard’s Jay Bovino, Amy Sheppard, George Sheppard (front), Dean Gordon, Michael Butler and Emma Sheppard are trying to make a name for themselves in America.
Source: News Corp Australia
AUSTRALIAN chart toppers Sheppard have hired Justin Bieber’s manager to put “rocket fuel” behind their mission to crack America.
The Geronimo hit makers played a showcase in LA last week with Bieber’s main man, Scooter Braun, plotting radio play and career moves.
Singer Amy Sheppard told Confidential: “Scooter is very enthusiastic and he has great energy. He can be a bit inappropriate at times, which we love.
“He’s trying something new with us because we play our own instruments and we’re very different to the rest of his acts.
“I think he trusts us because of what we’ve done, independently, back home. He said he want to put rocket fuel behind what we’re already doing.”
Amy said the band was concerned, initially, about Braun’s mainstream pop focus. His roster includes Bieber, Gangnam Style star Psy, and super-diva Ariana Grande.
“It crossed our minds,” she said. “We don’t want to be a one-hit-wonder band, be chewed up for one song, and spat out. We made that clear to Scooter. He believes in our other hits.”
Sheppard, a Brisbane six-piece that includes siblings Amy, Emma and George Sheppard, played shows in LA, San Francisco and San Diego last week.
Geronimo is No.3 on the US alternative rock chart, after blitzing charts in New Zealand, Italy and South Africa.
In Australia, Geronimo toppled Pharrell’s super hit Happy from the No.1 spot.
“America is daunting because we’re unknown and starting from scratch,” Amy said.
“It can be disheartening playing to empty rooms, but by the end of the show, we have a few of them singing and dancing.”
The band arrives in Melbourne this week to perform at the Grand Final Footy Show alongside the Madden Brothers and Justice Crew at Rod Laver Arena on Thursday, and the North Melbourne Grand Final Breakfast on Saturday.
They also play at Ormond Hall on October 2 and Collingwood’s Gasometer Hotel on October 3.
“Footy is a massive culture and it’s exciting to play those big events,” Amy said. “But I’ll be honest: I’m the least sporty person in the band.”
The Footy Show screens at 8.40pm on Thursday on Nine.
Originally published as Oz hit makers follow Bieber’s lead
www.news.com.au/entertainment/music
