We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Samuel Sheppard Jonathon Egan . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Samuel Sheppard below.

Samuel Sheppard , appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

At the start of the 2020 Covid 19 pandemic, during a period of personal upheaval, Jonathon reached out to his son Samuel out of concern. They began writing music together remotely (Jonathon from California, and Samuel from Utah) over zoom.

Though the project started with the intention of being merely a creative outlet and a chance to spend time together in the isolation, two years later it resulted in the production and release of the full length album “endangered species”

Jonathon reflects that it was special to work together both as father and son but also for the first time as creative peers.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Says Samuel “Both my dad and I had been part of music endeavours in the past. Leading up to the Covid Pandemic I had spent the previous years in a band called Roseburg. The pandemic hit mere weeks before our national headlining tour. Obviously, the cancellation of that milestone was a huge emotional blow.

Through the isolation of the pandemic, Yesterkid and working with my dad was a respite. My dad is one of, if not the single greatest creative influence in my life. It was a joy and a pleasure getting to collaborate on this album and now, hopefully, many more to come. I think we feel closer than ever before.”

Jonathon Says “ I’m a full time academic administrator by day, but I love writing words and music. It’s been awesome to have this outlet with Sam, and I’m really proud of the hope, and humanity, and recognition of desperation and struggle, and belief in the human spirit that shines through in this project. I hope people hear it and realize that they’re not alone in this crazy world, and no matter what kind of worry or fear or anxiety they may have as represented in these different songs, that they’ll find that the light still shines through.

Sam and I did this in the cracks and spaces of extra time here and there over two years, and it was really helpful to us. I would just encourage everyone to find that thing that gives them hope or joy, and find a way to squeeze it in, no matter how busy or beaten down they may feel. It’s worth finding and feeding that spark.

It’s been an honor to work with Sam. He’s got such a songwriting gift, and so much humanity – you can really feel it in these songs and I was lifted by it as his dad. But also as a fan of his music!

What sets us apart is certainly our family connection – including the blood harmony his sisters brought to some of the tracks – but also the perspective we brought to the music by writing over a long time and over separation. It was a really reflective process. And Zach Knell on production is a secret weapon. And Soren and Keith from Roseburg. Thanks to everyone who collaborated with us. ”

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Jonathon Says Most rewarding aspect: When the lightning strikes after all the work, and you feel the words come from wherever they come from, and the music come from wherever it comes from, and you know it’s right – it just captures this feeling perfectly…. And then when you get to share it, and it connects with someone else with that same feeling. That’s just incredible. It will always mean something unique to each person, because we’re all different. But we’re also all a little bit the same, and when it resonates with someone else, it just feels like such a gift. I’m always so thankful and moved with it reaches someone else. Because it already reached me – and that feels like an incredible connection to share. This music that you help bring into the world moves you – and when it moves others I’m just so thankful. It’s super satisfying to do even when no one hears it, but when they do and it connects, it just feels like a gift.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Says Samuel: “the writing process for this record was totally unique to any other I had ever worked on. Most musical endeavours you have the luxury of sitting together, playing together, jamming together. As a result, to me this album was almost created ‘together apart’ if that makes sense. It meant stretching your skills and in new directions and it was a ton of fun”

Contact Info:

• Website: Linktr.ee/yesterkid
• Instagram: @yester_kid

Image Credits
Kali Hart