By Stevie Connor.
Multi-talented Australian singer-songwriter Amy Sheppard is set to make her biggest splash yet in the United States with the release of her latest single, ‘Overthinking’.
Now based in Nashville, Amy holds the distinction of being the most-played Australian female artist on country radio between 2022 and 2023. This impressive momentum is rapidly extending to the United States, where her latest single ‘Overthinking’ has made a significant impact. This week, it broke into the Music Row Top 100, climbing to sit at number 85 with a bullet, signaling a rapidly growing popularity in the American country music scene.
Written by Amy, Lindsay Rimes (Kelsea Ballerini, Kane Brown, Nate Smith), and Phil Barton(Lee Brice, Eli Young Band, Gabby Barrett), ‘Overthinking’ is an emotionally charged song that explores the aftermath of a past relationship. The lyrics delve into the constant preoccupation with a former partner as they reminisce about shared memories, long for their presence, and grapple with the difficulty of moving on. With its heartfelt and relatable lyrics, the song encapsulates the overwhelming nature of overthinking and the enduring impact of a love that refuses to fade away.
Amy shares about the single, saying: “‘Overthinking’ is my biggest and boldest single to date; it's country but with a big serve of pop-rock swirled in the mix. I continue to be inspired by my musical heroes - The Chicks, Taylor, Shania, and Maren Morris, and I wanted to write a song that was equal parts heartbreak and belt out in the car with your friends.”
The release of Amy's new single follows a remarkable year in 2023, highlighted by her standout performance on ‘The Masked Singer Australia.’ As one of the rare country music artists to participate in the show, she captured widespread attention with her fifth-place finish. Unmasked as Orca, Amy's reveal was met with impressive television ratings
Amy is considered one of Australia’s most successful female singer-songwriters and, alongside her siblings George and Emma, is a founding and current member of the indie-pop sensation Sheppard. The band stands as one of Australia's most prominent musical exports of the past decade, boasting an impressive track record of over two billion streams and five million in record sales - all of which were co-written by Amy. The band’s magnetic performances have graced some of the world's grandest stages and television programs.
Sheppard's claim to fame includes their US Platinum-certified single 'Geronimo,' which is not only Gold-certified in over 35 countries but soared to the Top 10 charts across Europe. The mega-hit also became an anthemic sensation known for its vibrant and uplifting live renditions. Their accolades include winning the esteemed Best Group award at the ARIA Awards (often referred to as Australia's equivalent of the Grammys), headlining the halftime show at the AFL Grand Final (Australia's counterpart to the Super Bowl), and sharing the stage with global superstars such as Justin Bieber, Elton John, Keith Urban, and many others.
Country music is nothing new to Amy. Growing up in Papua New Guinea, her Dad would always have the Country Music Channel playing on the TV, where she was introduced to The Chicks, The Mavericks, George Strait, and ‘90s country standouts Shania Twain and Faith Hill. The first song she learned to play on the guitar was John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” These formative influences would often come out when she was songwriting for Sheppard, only to be told it was a little too country-sounding to fit with the band.
Fast forward to 2019, when visiting the CMC Rocks Festival in Ipswich, Australia for the first time, the experience “lit a fire in me,” Amy says. “I was just watching these artists on stage and thought, ‘Why am I not doing this?’ I just needed to get my ass into gear and start writing. I knew I could be something in this space.” This pivotal moment led Amy to take a bold step, packing up her life and relocating to the United States.
Reflecting on this life-changing decision, she shares, "Making the self-funded move to Nashville has been the most significant and daring choice of our band's career and my journey as a solo artist. From the very first visit, I sensed that Nashville was the place where I needed to be to nurture and flourish as a country music artist. The city's soul resonates with me, and the proximity to numerous talented musicians, songwriters, and producers made it an obvious choice. I am wholeheartedly committed to seizing every opportunity this enchanting city offers me and sharing my music with a larger audience than ever before."
Over the past 18 months, Amy has achieved remarkable success in her solo career, amassing five Top 5 hits on the Australian country airplay chart.
During this time, Amy released her debut EP, Nothing But Wild, which soared to #1 on the ARIA Australian Country Album chart. She also joined forces with US vocal supergroup Home Free and Travis Collins for a unique collaboration.
Beyond her music, Amy is a national spokesperson for body positivity, launching her inspiring "Kiss My Fat Ass" campaign in 2019. She also featured prominently in the acclaimed documentary "Embrace Kids," directed by 2023 Australian of the Year, Taryn Brumfitt. Amy is regularly called upon to share her journey with self-image, acceptance, and fitting in on social media.
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