Amy Sheppard is going full country in her debut solo album

She’s one third of star sibling band Sheppard- but now country singer Amy Sheppard has sat down to dish on her burgeoning solo career, and why she’ll always be a body positivity activist.

Country music artist Amy Sheppard, part of the band Sheppard, visits Sydney ahead of the launch of her debut solo album. Picture: Richard Dobson

One of Australia’s most popular musical exports, Amy Sheppard told The Daily Telegraph her new solo EP Nothing But Wild has been “a long time coming”.

The 31-year-old from Brisbane is best known as a part of the band Sheppard, which she shares with her siblings.

Amy confirmed that while she very much remains a part of Sheppard; “It’s nice to have free rein and also find out who I am as a solo artist.”

On Friday, Sheppard releases her new solo album, and is also in Sydney to make an appearance at BODfest — a celebration of self-love and body positivity.

“I started writing in 2019, so it’s taken quite a long time. The pandemic had a few handbrakes, but we’re finally here,” she said.

After years spent as part of one of Australia’s most popular musical exports, Sheppard, Amy Sheppard has gone solo with her forthcoming debut EP, Nothing But Wild. Picture: Richard Dobson

Her musical influences are all ‘country pop’, including the likes of Kacey Musgraves, Shania Twain, and NSW’s own Melanie Dyer.

“You can hear some country in Sheppard music, and I do think that’s my influence,” Sheppard said.

Amy Sheppard accidentally started a social media movement called #kissmyfatass when she posted an unfiltered photo of herself to Instagram. She stands by it. Picture: Richard Dobson

“Often I would sing a line and have to record it again because it sounded too country.”

Sheppard grew up in a very small community in Papua New Guinea, and shared that her dad used to wake the kids up in the morning, not with an alarm, but with Dolly Parton blasting.

She remains a vocal advocate for the body positivity movement.

Sheppard accidentally started the viral hashtag #kissmyfatass by posting an unfiltered photo of herself, later turning the phrase into a song.

Amy Sheppard will make an appearance at Sydney’s BODfest — a celebration of self-love and body positivity. Picture: Richard Dobson

“Three years ago I was airbrushing all my photos because I thought that’s what I had to do to fit in, and then one day I thought I can’t keep doing this. It’s unfair. I posted a an unedited photo and said this is who I am, cellulite and all,” she said.

“We’ve come a long way from the heroin chic that was idolised when I grew up, but we absolutely still have work to do.

“There is so much dangerous messaging that you need to look a certain way to be successful or happy. It’s just simply not true.

“You’ve got to teach kids that what they do, and how they use their minds, and how kind they are is what’s important. And I think music is a great way to share that.”