Singer, songwriter, guitarist Jules Sheldon has this week released a brand new album with his band The Boundary Riders titled ‘Electric Transport’. It’s as honest as a hard day’s work, touching on themes we can all relate to, particularly if you’re a Melburnian and it’s all played with a large degree of rock’n’ roll heart. Local, raw, quality, pub-test-passing songs that his mentors Spencer P. Jones and Brian Henry Hooper would be proud of.
We took the opportunity of the ‘Electric Transport’ album release to throw a few questions at Jules to ponder
What was the spark that lit your flame for music initially?
My parents played their record collections to me from a very young age, and my household shuffled to the songs of Bowie, The Velvet Underground, and Patti Smith. I started writing in high school at age 14 as a coping mechanism and catharsis, due to being heavily bullied, queer, and neurodivergent. I only survived due to throwing myself into my music, and I am eternally grateful it came along.
First concert you ever attended?
The first EVER concert? The Wiggles pre-fame at Ivanhoe town hall in the mid-90’s. I cried when Dorothy the dinosaur came over to say hi. It was a time.
Artist or person that has had the biggest impact on the way you make music?
For an artist, it’s Tim Rogers. I wouldn’t be making music if it wasn’t for You Am I. But Tim also is very honest and open about his own mental health struggles, which is a sorely needed circuit breaker in a world where men are not open enough about mental illness.
An important life lesson someone gave/told you?
“It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice” My mentor Spencer P. Jones told me that when I was 15 and it’s stuck with me throughout my career.
An album you never tire of hearing?
The self-titled first album by John Prine. John is a hero of mine and he has a beautiful kindness and humour about the way he writes. When I am struggling with my sense of self before a show I say to myself “be John” as that in my mind is also being your truest self.
Your dream collaboration?
Anything with my incredible backing band The Boundary Riders.
What would you consider to be the favourite gig you have played so far?
Selling out our March headline gig at the Merri Tavern in Melbourne was an absolute joy as that’s the first time in my 18-year career that I’ve been able to sell out a show. Plus, we rocked. We rocked hard.
Tell us about your main songwriting instrument … what it is, where you got it and why it’s special to you?
My yellow Epiphone Les Paul junior. It’s the 57 reissue from the early 2000’s and I have never been so obsessed with an instrument. My friend Neil Wilkinson of Atlas guitars found it for super cheap online and did an amazing job getting it set up and ready.
I feel like it’s an extension of my voice and lyrics, and for a one pick up guitar, it’s the most versatile electric guitar I have owned.
I also like to make a point to not go for super expensive guitars as music should be financially accessible for all kinds of people. If a young broke kid saw me playing an Epiphone, loved it, and knew that they could afford it, then my work here is done.
Tell us about the new album Electric Transport and over what period of time was it created?
Electric Transport started being written in the COVID lockdowns and The Boundary Riders and I recorded it over winter 2024. It’s been a long process, but good things take time, and I believe this is an album which is worth that time.
In general what’s the starting point for a Jules Sheldon song?
I tend to have a strong idea about what I want to write about and/or achieve via lyrics and melody, which then gets guitar added to it to carry it all along.
I am a religious note taker and have countless notes about song ideas, song goals, and reference points, to begin the process. My preference is for it to come out fully formed and not labour on it too much, but some rare songs are in fact worth that effort. However, the joy and mystery of this is that you never know which ones those will be.
Once the album is out, whats on for rest of year?
The album will be available on October 2nd and then we’ll be launching it in Melbourne at The Catfish on October 25th. After that The Boundary Riders and I will be on tour in November, and then we will be finishing the year supporting our friend Mick Thomas for his Xmas gig at the Corner Hotel on December 20th.
What would you like your music career to look like in 5 years time?
I’d like to be making my income as a musician, touring heaps with The Boundary Riders nationally and internationally, playing festivals, and building an audience who love what we do and feel at home in the music and community we create.
MORE ABOUT JULES SHELDON
A regular on the Australian independent music scene since age 15, Jules Sheldon was mentored by rock icon Spencer P. Jones (Paul Kelly Band, Beasts Of Bourbon, The Johnnys) who produced his self-titled debut album in 2010. Since then, he’s added another two albums to his discography, each as different from the other, but still tied together by his careful and detailed songwriting.
The last few years haven’t been easy. Losing both mentors in Jones and his Beasts of Bourbon bandmate Brian Henry Hooper made Sheldon question if he could go on as a musician.
Rediscovering his love for music after a lot of soul searching, it was revisiting some of his favourite songwriters, and the formation of his new backing band ‘The Boundary Riders’, which gave him his mojo back.
Crafting a jangly but punky alt-county sound, the result is the album ‘Electric Transport’. With nods to Paul Westerberg, Tim Rogers, and Robyn Hitchcock, Sheldon creates a love note to these cherished artists, while also making an album that is truly unique.
“Think Ray Davies melodic stylings with a healthy dose of the spirit & vibes from his beloved mentor Spencer P. Jones.” – Kim Salmon (The Scientists, Surrealists) “There’s a sense that Tramways, The Uncles, Burning Schools are important subjects to sing about. It’s not as if the delivery is overly earnest or that anything is laboured, just that Sheldon and his inspired band deliver the songs in a way that is as believable as it is enjoyable. There’s enough rock n’ roll swagger to lend the varied subject matter a sense of credibility that feels natural and unforced. It feels logical, sincere. It feels like fun for godsake. And isn’t rock n’ roll supposed to be fun?” – Mick Thomas (Weddings Parties & Anything)
Touring as a solo artist and with the Boundary Riders, Jules Sheldon’s tour dates are:
25.10.25 The Catfish, Melbourne with Midnight Violet and Howl 7.30pm. $20/$25
31.10.25: The Taproom – Shedshaker Brewing Castlemaine, Vic w/ Tom Woodward. 8PM FREE ENTRY.
08.11.25: The Dart and Marlin Warrnambool, Vic w/ Evie Mae Music 4pm FREE ENTRY.
22.11.25: Tanswells Hotel Beechworth, Vic w/ Guy Blackman 8:30PM FREE ENTRY.
28.11.25: Palomino Lounge Enmore Sydney, NSW w/ Peter Black
NOTE: The Boundary Riders are only joining Jules for Melbourne and Castlemaine.
YOUTUBE (live video): https://youtu.be/yPigYz2gIp8?si=RUpy0B1tO-0u73J2
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/JulesSheldonMusic
INSTAGRAM: @julessheldonmusic
BUY THE ALBUM – BANDCAMP: julessheldonmusic.bandcamp.com/