LISTEN TO ‘COME BACK’ HERE
With the world in lockdown and more than half the population bunkering down with their partners, housemates and family members around the clock, COVID-19 related isolation has presented some households with a unique set of challenges. For Australian band Sheppard, it’s brought back memories from a time when loneliness and isolation was an issue, well before the virus took hold.
On the band’s previous single ‘Somebody Like You’, from their current year-long-project, Sheppard frontman George Sheppard recounted failed relationships, personal changes and finding the love of his life. On ‘Come Back’, the bands 5th single from the project, Sheppard examine isolation and the effect that a lack of human contact can have on a relationship.
“One night while I was on a writing trip overseas, I received a call from my partner Kathleen” recounts George Sheppard. “She was at home alone, in tears from a horrible day at work and all I wanted to do was give her a hug. Technology has vastly improved our ability to communicate with one another, which is great, but without the ability to physically reach out and touch someone, sometimes it can actually make life harder.
The next day I went into a song writing session with the sole purpose of writing her a song that she could use as a “pick me up”. I came out of that session with ‘Come Back’ and it’s got to be one of my personal favourites.”
Written by George Sheppard in late 2019 – well before the industry was placed into lockdown mode – ‘Come Back’ is the result of a solo writing trip to the opposite of the world; three weeks isolated in a hotel room in Sweden without contact to anyone in the same time zone.
“It’s kind of ironic how closely the time I spent alone in Sweden last year mirrors the current situation” Continued George Sheppard. “There’s definitely a strong parallel between being in a band, isolated in a hotel room somewhere without contact to the people you care about, and being locked in your home, unable to spend time with family and friends.
In addition to being a love song for his long-term partner Kathleen, ‘Come Back’ also serves as a perfect reminder of the importance of human connection during times of isolation.
“It doesn’t really matter how many Skype calls, Zoom meetings or sessions of House Party you set up. There’s no substitute for physically being with the people you love. I found that out pretty quickly in Sweden and it’s very apparent now, too.
“Ultimately, Come Back is a song of support, unconditional love, and serves as a reminder to us all that although times are tough right now and clouds are darkening your skies, as long as we’re there for one another we’ll break through to the sunlight again.”
The new track’s initial form was written with Tania Doko from Bachelor Girl and Martin Carl Olof Eriksson Sandmark during George’s solo writing trip to Sweden, before eventually being completed in the band’s hometown of Brisbane during lockdown, with fellow band mates Amy Sheppard and Jay Bovino.
Released track by track, month by month, and accompanied by music videos, art and content splashed across the band’s social channels, Sheppard’s forthcoming 2020 release will slowly begin to take shape over the coming months.