Paul Dempsey
Encyclopedia
Paul Dempsey is the lead singer, guitarist and principal songwriter of Australian rock group Something for Kate
. Paul was a founding member of the band, and in August 2009 released his first solo album, Everything Is True
whilst continuing his work with Something for Kate. A multi-instrumentalist, Paul has also produced and co-written records for other artists.
just after leaving high school in 1994 with school friend, drummer Clint Hyndman. They then found bass player, Julian Carroll
from an advertisement in a record store. The three played only a couple of shows and released a demo tape before they were approached by Chris Dunn, then A&R representative for Sony
subsidiary label Murmur Records
, who signed them instantly. All members were 17 years old.
Dempsey wrote all songs and lyrics, and after releasing 2 EP
s, the band went to New Zealand to record their first album, Elsewhere for Eight Minutes. In 1998, he then released a solo album under the name Scared of Horses, for which he wrote and played all the music whilst inviting guest vocalists to record the vocals. After this came album number 2, Beautiful Sharks
for which Paul and the band won a Music Critics' Award for Best Australian Album and Best Australian Live Band and 2 ARIA
nominations. This album gained much critical acclaim in particular for Paul's insightful lyrics and unique and understated observations on science, physics, astronomy and a general questioning nature.
Echolalia
, Something for Kate's third album, established Paul as one of Australia's most gifted songwriters. He was voted Best Male Vocalist in Rolling Stone
and the album was nominated for 5 ARIA Awards. It debuted at #2 on the ARIA Charts
and has gone on to sell double platinum
, or over 140,000 units.
Paul experienced writer's block
and depression (see below) at around this time. He and the band toured the U.S. and Europe while he tried to write lyrics for the band's fourth album. No doubt feeling the pressure from the band's success, it was not until 2003 that The Official Fiction
was released. Debuting at #1, this album displayed Paul's lyrical talent and maturity and a sense of anger at the political events of the time.
In 2003 Paul also produced and played drums, bass, guitar and keyboards on The Givegoods' 2003 album I Want to Kill a Rich Man, the side project for Tom Morgan and Evan Dando.
In 2005, after another bout of writer's block and debilitating depression, Paul and the band went to Los Angeles to make album number 5, Desert Lights
, which again displayed another leap in Paul's songwriting abilities and unique observations on the world around him. The album was released in 2006 and again debuted at #1, pointing to the longevity of the band and Paul's uniqueness in an ever changing musical climate.
In 2007 Paul began writing his first official solo album and produced the debut album for Melbourne singer-songwriter Brendan Welch titled The Gleaner.
Paul has also appeared on several of Melbourne dance
artist T-Rek albums, playing a variety of instruments on the albums as well as playing keyopards on Melbourne band, The Nation Blue's album, Protest Songs.
Recording was completed for Paul's debut solo album in April 2009 in Los Angeles with mix engineer/ producer, Doug Boehm
. The first song to be released from the album was "Out the Airlock
" and was initially given away as a very limited free download on http://www.pauldempseymusic.com. The single was then released through iTunes
on 15 May 2009.
The Daily Telegraph
revealed on 29 May that the title of Dempsey's new album is Everything Is True. The album was officially released on 14 August 2009.
In April 2010 Paul produced and mixed Sydney rock band Papa VS Pretty
's third studio EP Heavy Harm
, released 13 August 2010. In June 2010 Paul and Stefanie relocated to NYC where Paul has been playing the club circuit in solo performances featuring songs from "Everything Is True".
for Brisbane
band Fur, and Perth
band Ammonia
. He also played drums
for two shows with Bluebottle Kiss
and drums in his sister's band, John Smith. He has also played bass
and drums in a one off show with Evan Dando
.
Paul is a multi-instrumentalist and a producer and possesses perfect pitch.
He appeared as a panellist on RocKwiz
on 24 February 2007, performing a solo version of the song "Monsters" and a duet with Kate Miller-Heidke of the George Michael classic, "Careless Whisper".
He appeared on Good News Week
on 26 October 2009, performing the song "Fire" by Bruce Springsteen
as part of the Strange But True segment.
. In 2000, on a day where Something for Kate was having a frustrated jam session
going nowhere, the trio simply walked out of the room and across the street to the travel agent where they saw a vacation offer for Thailand. After a relaxing day on the Thai shores and traditional boats, Paul got inspired to pen the song Monsters, which led to the production and release of their biggest selling double platinum
2001 album Echolalia
.
In 2006, he married bandmate and longtime partner Stephanie Ashworth
in Las Vegas, Nevada
.
Dempsey won The Age EG Music Award for Best Male for Everything is True on 20 November 2009. Everything is True has been named as one of the Best Albums of 2009 by Rolling Stone magazine.
Critics' reviews of the album have been extremely positive:
Something for Kate
Something for Kate are a rock band from Melbourne, Australia. Members include songwriter, vocalist and guitarist Paul Dempsey, drummer Clint Hyndman and bassist Stephanie Ashworth...
. Paul was a founding member of the band, and in August 2009 released his first solo album, Everything Is True
Everything Is True (album)
Everything is True is the debut solo album released by Australian Paul Dempsey. Dempsey rose to fame with his band Something For Kate.The album peaked at #5 on the Australian album charts.-Track listing:Australian Release# "Bats"...
whilst continuing his work with Something for Kate. A multi-instrumentalist, Paul has also produced and co-written records for other artists.
Music career
Paul Dempsey formed Something for KateSomething for Kate
Something for Kate are a rock band from Melbourne, Australia. Members include songwriter, vocalist and guitarist Paul Dempsey, drummer Clint Hyndman and bassist Stephanie Ashworth...
just after leaving high school in 1994 with school friend, drummer Clint Hyndman. They then found bass player, Julian Carroll
Julian Carroll
Julian Morton Carroll is a politician from the US state of Kentucky. A Democrat, he is presently a member of the Kentucky Senate, representing Anderson, Franklin, Woodford, and part of Fayette counties. From 1974 to 1979, he served as the 54th Governor of Kentucky, succeeding Wendell H. Ford, who...
from an advertisement in a record store. The three played only a couple of shows and released a demo tape before they were approached by Chris Dunn, then A&R representative for Sony
Sony
, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
subsidiary label Murmur Records
Murmur (record label)
Murmur was a record label that started as an imprint of Sony Music Australia in mid 1994. Named after REM's first album, Murmur signed a number of Australia's most successful rock bands, including Silverchair, Ammonia, Something for Kate and Jebediah...
, who signed them instantly. All members were 17 years old.
Dempsey wrote all songs and lyrics, and after releasing 2 EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
s, the band went to New Zealand to record their first album, Elsewhere for Eight Minutes. In 1998, he then released a solo album under the name Scared of Horses, for which he wrote and played all the music whilst inviting guest vocalists to record the vocals. After this came album number 2, Beautiful Sharks
Beautiful Sharks
Beautiful Sharks is the second long-play album by Australian band Something for Kate. Released in 1999 it marked a change in musical direction, employing interesting and unconventional chord progressions and production. Sounding more sparse and open than their intense debut effort the album...
for which Paul and the band won a Music Critics' Award for Best Australian Album and Best Australian Live Band and 2 ARIA
ARIA Music Awards
The Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards is an annual series of awards nights celebrating the Australian music industry, put on by the Australian Recording Industry Association...
nominations. This album gained much critical acclaim in particular for Paul's insightful lyrics and unique and understated observations on science, physics, astronomy and a general questioning nature.
Echolalia
Echolalia (album)
Echolalia is the third studio album album by Australian band Something for Kate. It was voted the Best Album of 2001 by Triple J listeners. This album was released in the US, and some of these US copies included a second disc titled "past and present tension". The second disc included past songs...
, Something for Kate's third album, established Paul as one of Australia's most gifted songwriters. He was voted Best Male Vocalist in Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
and the album was nominated for 5 ARIA Awards. It debuted at #2 on the ARIA Charts
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
and has gone on to sell double platinum
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
, or over 140,000 units.
Paul experienced writer's block
Writer's block
Writer's block is a condition, primarily associated with writing as a profession, in which an author loses the ability to produce new work. The condition varies widely in intensity. It can be trivial, a temporary difficulty in dealing with the task at hand. At the other extreme, some "blocked"...
and depression (see below) at around this time. He and the band toured the U.S. and Europe while he tried to write lyrics for the band's fourth album. No doubt feeling the pressure from the band's success, it was not until 2003 that The Official Fiction
The Official Fiction
The Official Fiction is the 4th studio album by Australian band Something for Kate. There was a limited run of digi-pack editions of this album upon first release. The album debuted at Number 1 on the ARIA charts and has sold over Platinum. It was nominated for 4 ARIA awards and took out Rolling...
was released. Debuting at #1, this album displayed Paul's lyrical talent and maturity and a sense of anger at the political events of the time.
In 2003 Paul also produced and played drums, bass, guitar and keyboards on The Givegoods' 2003 album I Want to Kill a Rich Man, the side project for Tom Morgan and Evan Dando.
In 2005, after another bout of writer's block and debilitating depression, Paul and the band went to Los Angeles to make album number 5, Desert Lights
Desert Lights
Desert Lights is Something for Kate's fifth studio album, released on 1 June 2006. "Cigarettes and Suitcases" was the first single to be released, followed later by "Oh Kamikaze". The third single "California" and its 3 b-sides were originally planned and released as an itunes exclusive only...
, which again displayed another leap in Paul's songwriting abilities and unique observations on the world around him. The album was released in 2006 and again debuted at #1, pointing to the longevity of the band and Paul's uniqueness in an ever changing musical climate.
In 2007 Paul began writing his first official solo album and produced the debut album for Melbourne singer-songwriter Brendan Welch titled The Gleaner.
Paul has also appeared on several of Melbourne dance
Dance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
artist T-Rek albums, playing a variety of instruments on the albums as well as playing keyopards on Melbourne band, The Nation Blue's album, Protest Songs.
Recording was completed for Paul's debut solo album in April 2009 in Los Angeles with mix engineer/ producer, Doug Boehm
Doug Boehm
Doug Boehm is an American record producer and sound engineer who specializes predominantly in the rock music genre and has worked in collaboration with Rob Schnapf on a number of occasions. He produced the releases of the American group French Kicks and served as the recording engineer for Dr...
. The first song to be released from the album was "Out the Airlock
Out the Airlock
After initially given away as a free download via www.pauldempseymusic.com, "Out the Airlock" was the first single to be released from the forthcoming debut solo album for Something for Kate frontman, Paul Dempsey through EMI...
" and was initially given away as a very limited free download on http://www.pauldempseymusic.com. The single was then released through iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
on 15 May 2009.
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph (Australia)
The Daily Telegraph is an Australian tabloid newspaper published in Sydney, New South Wales, by Nationwide News, part of News Corporation.The Tele, as it is also known, was founded in 1879. From 1936 to 1972, it was owned by Frank Packer's Australian Consolidated Press. That year it was sold to...
revealed on 29 May that the title of Dempsey's new album is Everything Is True. The album was officially released on 14 August 2009.
In April 2010 Paul produced and mixed Sydney rock band Papa VS Pretty
Papa VS Pretty
Papa Vs Pretty is an ARIA-nominated Australian rock band from Sydney, New South Wales. Originally the solo act of then 15-year old Thomas Rawle in 2006, Papa Vs Pretty became its current three-piece band in 2008 with the addition of Rawle’s friends Angus Gardiner and Tom Myers Papa Vs Pretty is...
's third studio EP Heavy Harm
Heavy Harm
Heavy Harm is the third EP by Australian rock band Papa Vs Pretty. The album was recorded at Albert Studios in Sydney, Australia. It was produced by Australian musician and Something For Kate frontman Paul Dempsey in Sydney, and was mixed by Dempsey and Rick Will...
, released 13 August 2010. In June 2010 Paul and Stefanie relocated to NYC where Paul has been playing the club circuit in solo performances featuring songs from "Everything Is True".
Other information
He has filled in as a guitaristGuitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
for Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
band Fur, and Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
band Ammonia
Ammonia (band)
-Studio albums:-Extended plays:-Singles:*"Drugs" - Murmur AUS #32*"Ken Carter" - Murmur AUS #50*"Suzi Q" - Murmur *"Satin Only" - Murmur *"You're Not the Only One Who Feels This Way" - Murmur AUS #83...
. He also played drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
for two shows with Bluebottle Kiss
Bluebottle Kiss
-History:Formed in the mid '90s, Bluebottle Kiss took their influences from the late '80s American indie scene, which included artists such as Sonic Youth and the Afghan Whigs, singer-songwriters of the '70s, such as Neil Young and Van Morrison, as well as the very creative Australian independent...
and drums in his sister's band, John Smith. He has also played bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
and drums in a one off show with Evan Dando
Evan Dando
Evan Griffith Dando is an American musician, most famous for fronting the alternative rock band The Lemonheads. He is the only original member left in the current Lemonheads line-up, having served as lead singer since the band's original formation in 1986...
.
Paul is a multi-instrumentalist and a producer and possesses perfect pitch.
He appeared as a panellist on RocKwiz
RocKwiz
RocKwiz is an Australian television quiz show series, focused on rock music, and broadcast on SBS One. It premiered in 2005.-Summary:The forty minute program airs on Saturday at 9:20 pm, and is hosted by Julia Zemiro. It is shot in The Gershwin Room at St Kilda's Esplanade Hotel, commonly...
on 24 February 2007, performing a solo version of the song "Monsters" and a duet with Kate Miller-Heidke of the George Michael classic, "Careless Whisper".
He appeared on Good News Week
Good News Week
Good News Week is an Australian satirical panel game show hosted by Paul McDermott that initially aired from 19 April 1996 to 27 May 2000, and resumed on 11 February 2008 to 9 May 2011. The show aired first on ABC TV before it was bought by Network Ten in 1999...
on 26 October 2009, performing the song "Fire" by Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen , nicknamed "The Boss," is an American singer-songwriter who records and tours with the E Street Band...
as part of the Strange But True segment.
Personal life
It has been widely documented that Paul has suffered from bouts of clinical depression and complains about getting periods of writer's blockWriter's block
Writer's block is a condition, primarily associated with writing as a profession, in which an author loses the ability to produce new work. The condition varies widely in intensity. It can be trivial, a temporary difficulty in dealing with the task at hand. At the other extreme, some "blocked"...
. In 2000, on a day where Something for Kate was having a frustrated jam session
Jam session
Jam sessions are often used by musicians to develop new material, find suitable arrangements, or simply as a social gathering and communal practice session. Jam sessions may be based upon existing songs or forms, may be loosely based on an agreed chord progression or chart suggested by one...
going nowhere, the trio simply walked out of the room and across the street to the travel agent where they saw a vacation offer for Thailand. After a relaxing day on the Thai shores and traditional boats, Paul got inspired to pen the song Monsters, which led to the production and release of their biggest selling double platinum
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
2001 album Echolalia
Echolalia (album)
Echolalia is the third studio album album by Australian band Something for Kate. It was voted the Best Album of 2001 by Triple J listeners. This album was released in the US, and some of these US copies included a second disc titled "past and present tension". The second disc included past songs...
.
In 2006, he married bandmate and longtime partner Stephanie Ashworth
Stephanie Ashworth
Stephanie Ashworth is bass guitarist for Australian band Something for Kate. She joined the band, according to her in an interview "sometime in 1997 or 1998, I can't remember" replacing Toby Ralph...
in Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
.
Reception to solo career
Dempsey's first solo album titled Everything Is True was released on 14 August 2009. The album debuted at No. 5 on the ARIA chart. The album has been nominated for three Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) awards as well as a Triple J Award for Best Australian Album of 2009. The album has been named iTunes Album of the Year for 2009 and was voted by Triple J listeners in the Top 10 albums of 2009.Dempsey won The Age EG Music Award for Best Male for Everything is True on 20 November 2009. Everything is True has been named as one of the Best Albums of 2009 by Rolling Stone magazine.
Critics' reviews of the album have been extremely positive:
- "Contender for album of the year." "The Age" (4/5)
- "It's hard to imagine him ever producing another record more inclusive and satisfying than this." "Rolling Stone" (4/5)
- "His vocals are so exquisitely relaxed and honest that his stories shine through brilliantly." "JMag" (4/5)
- "Everything is True is brimming with beauty and intelligence." "The Mag" (4/5)
- "Refined acoustic pop from one of our leading craftsmen." "The West Australian" (4/5)
- "A Triumph", "The Australian" (4/5)
- "Dempsey is a gifted observer of the human condition..a truly beautiful collection". "The Daily Telegraph" (4/5)
- "Paul Dempsey is trying to do it all. And he's winning". "Inpress"
- "The tally for genius lyrics per second is positively baffling..eleven excellent reasons to acquaint yourself with one of Australia's finest songwriters". "Beat"
Discography
- 1998: An Empty FlightAn Empty FlightAn Empty Flight is Paul Dempsey's first solo album, released in 1998. Dempsey also plays guitar in alternative rock band Something for Kate. While released under the pseudonym Scared of Horses, Paul Dempsey does not deny credit for this album. There are many special guests that appear on this...
(under the pseudonym Scared of Horses) - 2009: Everything Is TrueEverything Is True (album)Everything is True is the debut solo album released by Australian Paul Dempsey. Dempsey rose to fame with his band Something For Kate.The album peaked at #5 on the Australian album charts.-Track listing:Australian Release# "Bats"...
(#5 Australia)