Paul Dempsey
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| Paul Dempsey | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1976 |
| Origin | Melbourne, Australia |
| Genre(s) | Alternative, Australian rock |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar, vocals, bass, keyboards, drums |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Label(s) | Sony/BMG |
| Associated acts | Something for Kate, Scared of Horses, T-Rek |
Paul Dempsey (born 1976 in Melbourne) 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 2008 is currently working on his first solo album whilst continuing his work with Something for Kate.
[edit] Music career
Paul Dempsey formed Something For Kate just after leaving high school in 1994 with school friend, drummer Clint Hyndman. They then found bass player, Julian Carroll from an advertisment in a record store. The three played only a couple of shows and released a demo tape before they were approached by 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. 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. It was album no. 3 Echolalia, that really propelled Paul into being recognized 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 No.2 and has gone on to sell double platinum. Paul experienced writers 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 wasn't until 2003 that The Official Fiction was released. Debuting at Number 1, this album displayed Paul's lyrical talent and maturity and a sense of anger at the political events of the time.
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 Number 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 an album for Melbourne singer-songwriter Brendan Welch.
In 1998, he released solo album under the name Scared of Horses.
He has filled in as a guitarist 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 produced and played drums, bass, guitar and keyboards on the Givegoods' 2003 album I Want to Kill a Rich Man.
He produced and played drums, guitar, bass, keyboards and did backing vocals on Melbourne singer-songwriter Brendan Welch's first album. Paul has also appeared on several of Melbourne Dance Artist T-Rek albums, playing a variety of instruments on the albums. He appeared as a panellist on RocKwiz on 24 February 2007, performing a solo version of the song "Monsters" and a duet of the George Michael classic, "Careless Whisper". He is the lead guitar and vocalist for Something for Kate.
[edit] Personal life
Paul suffers from clinical depression and complains about getting periods of writer's block. 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, Paul gave his first electric guitar, a Yamaha RGZ 211M, to his cousin as a gift and to inspire his cousin's band.
Later in 2006, he married bandmate and longtime partner Stephanie Ashworth in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Paul is currently working on his first solo album due out in 2008.
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