Surprise Cast #33 David John Sheppard

In this captivating episode of our podcast, I'm honored to welcome the incredibly talented David John Sheppard, a name synonymous with innovation and creativity in the music industry. Our journey with David begins in the warm embrace of nostalgia, tracing back to his earliest memories with a simple orange plastic Beatles guitar. This modest instrument sparked a profound love for music, setting David on a path from classical music, to the raw energy of punk(The Ramones, The Clash, Television) which he states are “tablets of stone”.

England in the early 80s, with its pulsating creative heart, “thriving music press”, plays a pivotal role in David's story. The city of Sheffield, known for its rich history of music and arts, set against the gritty backdrop of Thatcher-era politics, provided fertile ground for a musical revolution. David shares tales of this vibrant community, where experimentation and radical arts flourished, shaping him and many others into the artists they are today. “we did bands and art projects...fabulous time to be alive”. He talks about his early experiences with cinema on Oxford Street in London, watching 2-3 films every day, being introduced to film noir, and Russian films, “Wow, this is something else.” + his admiration for Nicolas Roeg.

He dives into his collaboration with Ian Bickerton(songwriter) as they formed the band Balloon in the early 90s, “kicking around...let’s do something”. Nick Drake’s rereleases, Bob Dylan, and obscure punk stuff inspired their work for the ‘Gravity’ album. Going into Ian’s basement, which was the early seed, they went a bit “folky”. It's a conversation that takes us from the DIY ethos/demos of a Brixton studio to being signed by Dedicated Records. Getting a producer, Michael Brooke known for his work with Brian Eno and Nusrat Fateh Ali Kahn brought excitement. Many of the “Gravity” songs were created in West London. Finishing up the album in New Orleans with Daniel Lanois, Michael Brooke, and a visit and collaboration with an artist by the name of Sarah McLachlan providing fond memories.

The episode takes a deep dive into David's relationship with music titan Brian Eno, exploring how Eno's mentorship and philosophy on music production. He pays his respects to Eno’s album, ‘Another Green World’ and the production work of Talking Heads’ seminal album, ‘Remain in Light’, the process having a big influence on David’s work. Sharing traveling experiences in the making of his solo album, ‘Vertical Land’ in terms of sonic scapes and sketches inspired by Afro-Beat. He analyzes a few of the rhythmic tracks including “Mountain Time”.

This episode is not just a reflection on David John Sheppard's musical journey but a broader exploration of the artistic process, the importance of music, and the enduring power of creativity and connection. Join us for this educational conversation into the intelligent world of music with David. He knows what it means to be alive!

Follow David's work:
https://www.marmosetmusic.com/artists/david-john-sheppard

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/david-john-sheppard/989260120

https://davidjohnsheppard.bandcamp.com/album/vertical-land

https://www.instagram.com/davidjohnsheppard/