Paul Dempsey Makes a Case for Covers With a Little Danger

What makes a great cover version? For Paul Dempsey, it is not fidelity. It is risk.

In Episode 42 of On The Record, Brian Wise and Michael Mackenzie welcome the Something for Kate frontman to discuss Shotgun Karaoke, his disarmingly loose—and increasingly popular—solo covers project. 

Across two albums and a growing run of sold-out shows, Dempsey has turned the familiar songs of Cher, Bruce Springsteen, Phil Collins, R.E.M., Hüsker Dü, Tanita Tikaram and more into a rolling invitation for audiences to sing, shout and occasionally rescue him from a forgotten lyric.

Show Notes

Kylie Minogue TAKES FLIGHT at the 2026 Toyota AFL Grand Final (Full Performance) 

John Craigie I Swam Here Full Album 

Something For Kate - Monsters (Official Video) 

Something For Kate The Killing Moon 

Paul Dempsey – 'Twist In My Sobriety' – Visualiser for ‘Shotgun Karaoke Vol II' 

Paul Dempsey - Don't Want To Know If You Are Lonely 

Paul Dempsey - Bats 

XTC - This Is Pop (Documentary) 

R.E.M. - Losing My Religion (Official HD Music Video)

Bright Eyes - Light Pollution 

Paul Dempsey - "Born To Run"

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