GRAMMY.com Exclusive First Listen: Jay Shepard

Singer/songwriter and musician Jay Shepard is set to release his debut solo album, Harsh Mistress, on July 3. Ahead of the album's release, GRAMMY.com has your exclusive first listen to the track "So It Goes."

Hailing from South Carolina, Shephard began playing music at an early age. In summer 2005 he moved to New York to pursue a career in music. Shepard got his career start as a touring musician playing guitar with the likes of Natasha Bedingfield, the Derek Trucks Band and Bernie Worrell, among others. While on tour in 2007, Shepard met 825 Records owner and producer Matty Amendola, with whom he collaborated record Harsh Mistress. 

Combining elements of alternative rock, pop, funk, and blues, the 12 songs on Harsh Mistress address themes of romance, unrequited love and sexual conquest. The album also pays homage to Shepard's musical influences, including Cream, Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin, among others. "As far as the sound, we were going for rock-and-roll guitars [and] Beatles-esque harmonies, with sly modern production," said Shepard. "And, of course, the most important ingredient — good songs with catchy hooks."

Shepard will host an album release party on July 16 at the Bowery Electric in New York.