`Having cornered the Australian singles chart with triple platinum hit ‘Geronimo’, Brisbane pop-rock group Sheppard now have their sights aimed towards overseas success, breaking ground over in the UK and now looking to crack the lucrative American market, with a little help from the man who broke Justin Bieber.

Scooter Braun, the US talent manager who has spearheaded the career of the Canadian pop sensation as well as assisted the likes of Psy and Carly Rae Jepsen to the global stage, is now backing Sheppard for the forthcoming launch of their debut album, Bombs Away, in America, as News Ltd reports

The record label owner (of School Boy Records with Usher and RBMG) decided to lend his considerable weight to the Brisbane band’s corner after hearing ‘Geronimo’, currently the highest selling Aussie single of 2014 since putting Sheppard at the top of the ARIA Singles Charts for three weeks straight, the longest reign by an independently released single ever, back in April. “Sometimes you hear a song and on 1st listen you know it is a smash #1 record. This is one of those songs.”

Braun thinks ‘Geronimo’ is destined to do equally big things Stateside. “Sometimes you hear a song and on 1st listen you know it is a smash #1 record. This is one of those songs. So good. #tune,” wrote the 33-year-old in an Instagram post to his more than 1 million followers, plugging Sheppard’s breakout single.

‘Geronimo’ is set to release in the rest of the world on the 14th of July and ‘Team Sheppard’ are hoping it shouldn’t be too long after before the band begin to see their name scaling the US Charts alongside recent international successes like Iggy Azalea, Birds Of Tokyo, Vance Joy, and John Butler Trio.

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Sheppard’s manager, influential Aussie promoter Michael Chugg, says having Braun championing them will definitely help the young sextet’s plans for US domination. “He is very influential and people respect his musical taste,” says Chugg, who signed the band as one of the first acts on his independent label, Chugg Music. “This is very special for the band.”

The six-piece have also made in-roads in Britain, a result of which, saw them becoming the first ever Aussie band to sign with legendary British label Decca Records (the original home of Rolling Stones and Tom Jones) earlier this year and set to return to play UK’s V Festival this August, on a lineup that features Justin Timberlake, The Killers, Ed Sheeran, Lily Allen, and more. 

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It’s huge momentum for a group who are barely into their second year as a unit, with siblings George, Amy, and Emma Sheppard first teaming up with friends Jay Bovino, Michael Butler and Dean Gordon in 2012, shortly after, they released their debut – now double platinum selling – single ‘Let Me Down Easy’ (set to be ‘Geronimo’s follow-up in the UK and US).

Before they begin their overseas campaign in earnest, Sheppard have announced a series of headline shows at home to launch their debut album Bombs Away (out 11th July). “This year has been such a whirlwind and it was important to us that we take the time to get out there on the road and celebrate our album with the fans,” said George Sheppard.

The band will perform at the APRA Awards tonight in their native Brisbane, where they are up for multiple nominations, before continuing their trek with country star Keith Urban (who personally invited the group to open for him) on his national tour ahead of Sheppard’s own headline shows.

Sheppard Australian Tour 2014 Dates

Supporting Keith Urban:
Wednesday 25th & Thursday 26th June – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne VIC

Friday 27th June – Collins Park, Narrabri NSW

Sunday 29th June – Perth Arena, Perth WA

‘Bombs Away’ Launch Tour:
Tickets on sale Friday 27th June, 10am via WeAreSheppard.com

Friday 25th July – Eatons Hill Hotel, Brisbane QLD (All Ages Album Launch)

Saturday 26th July – Big Top Luna Park, Sydney NSW (All Ages Album Launch)

Friday 1st August 1 – The Hi-Fi Bar, Melbourne VIC (Under 18s Matinee Album Launch)

Friday 1st August 1 – The Hi-Fi Bar, Melbourne VIC (18+ Matinee Album Launch)

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