Boise, Idaho-based singer-songwriter Andrew Sheppard kicks off his upcoming album Steady Your Aim (out March 23) with a piece of autobiographical narrative. "I was getting tired of the coast so I booked it for the pines," Sheppard sings over a Wurlitzer. "Took a swing at the open road and I caught up with my mind."
"Take a Walk With Me," a road trip-worthy anthem that would sound right at home on a Tom Petty playlist, is one of many standout tracks on Steady Your Aim, a collection of rootsy country and Americana songs recorded at Ivy Hall Studio in Nashville.
The track was inspired by Sheppard's trip from L.A. back to the mountains of Idaho.
Sheppard grew up going to gigs with his musician mom, who played and sang in blues and rock bands around their hometown. He cut his teeth playing bass in punk rock bands. At 19, he began writing his own songs. The Hailey, Idaho-native has spent the better part of the last decade playing with his now-disbanded L.A.-based group the Gypsy River Haunts and racking up solo gigs across the country.
After becoming disillusioned with life in L.A., Sheppard went back to basics. He returned to his hometown, teaming up with his childhood friends to record his 2015 record Far From Here.
Since then, Sheppard has kept busy on the festival circuit, playing at Stagecoach and sharing the stage with Ray Wylie Hubbard, The Black Lillies, Whiskey Shivers and Scott H. Biram.
Steady Your Aim follows Sheppard's own journey through life and the trials of realizing a dream. With songs steeped in heart and rich lyricism, Andrew Sheppard is one to watch.
For Fans Of: Jason Isbell, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Tom Petty
Required Listening: "Steady Your Aim," a soulful heartland rocker about perseverance and life on the road.
Andrew Sheppard is currently on tour.
