The wonderful Mr Dempsey.

Wednesday June 24 2009

Words and Photos: Kate Scantleton.

Oh, what a world.

Paul Dempsey (Something for Kate front-man, soloist, mysterious brooder) is a marvel. Of the many times that this little music reviewer has seen his dark, handsome demeanour grace the stage I have always felt my heart go slightly a-flutter.

And the Troubadour on this special night is nothing different. Talking to the punters around me before the show, it seems that men and women alike feel this way about Dempsey. From his many years in the music industry, he has managed to touch so many people to the point of personal obsession (present company happily included).

Touring Australia to promote his new album, Everything Is True (In-store August 14), Dempsey is doing the gig ‘thing’ solo, and doing it very well.

I must pay respect to the efforts of support artist Dan Parsons for his brief, but quite lovely set. Fitting a quick Death Cab for Cutie cover in the mix, Parsons did a fine job to ensure that everyone was pumped for an amazing set from Mr Dempsey.

Dempsey delivered with ease, humbleness, and absolute politeness to his punters, making a note of thanks for the lack of Rugby support in the room. The set was crafted perfectly, with a mix of solo originals (including Out The Airlock, and Ramona Was A Waitress), SFK songs (including The Astronaut, Say Something, and Beautiful Sharks), and a number of covers that certainly kept the crowd happy, including Elvis Costello’s So Like Candy, MGMT’s Time to Pretend, and the Kim Carnes classic, Bette Davis Eyes, which also makes an appearance on Everything Is True.

With just an acoustic guitar and his soothing voice, the room’s acoustics were bordering perfection, with a comforting mix between guitar and vocals. Closing your eyes and listening certainly took you away to a happy, happy place.

The highlight of the evening was when out of courtesy for a more than boisterous punter; Dempsey played the SFK classic You Only Hide not once, but twice, much to the rest of the crowd’s delight.

For a sold-out show, the crowd was well behaved and were obviously there for the same reason as I was; to stand in awe of one of Australia’s most marvellous performers.

This reviewer is very much looking forward to catching him again at Splendour in the Grass next month, and to the release of Everything is True.

KS