Saturday 9th September
An early birthday gift and an amazing one at that. My brother, Barney, bought tickets for us to see Paul Dempsey at the Imperial Hotel, Eumundi. For those who are unfamiliar, Paul is an Australian singer songwriter who performs solo, as well as being the lead singer of Something For Kate. Barney and I had seen him together before, he is traditionally one of our favourite talents, so we had a good idea of what we’d be in for.
He had singer song writer, Asha Jefferies, perform before him. Her voice matched her interesting song writing quite well, taking everyday things and turning them into zestful songs with stories.
After Asha finished, we waited there, a few meters from the front of the stage. Our shoes sticking to the floor of the upstairs room at the Imperial. The boards had evidently had hundreds of drinks spilt on it over time and if it had been cleaned, you couldn’t have guessed it. This isn’t a discredit to the Imperial Hotel. It’s just how gig floors are. For some strange reason floors like this just go with gigs, hand in hand and although they feel funny to walk on, they make you think of all of the other gigs you’ve been to where your feet stuck in that exact same way. The floor, the stage lights, the people sneaking about on the stage here and there, the muggy warmth of lots of bodies pushing toward the stage; it all helps you feel the excitement and makes you remember how you felt last time you went to a gig. It got us talking, while we waited, about some of the other acts we’d seen live in the past. I don’t know if it was ages, but it seemed like it was, before Dempsey strode onto the stage.
Before his first song, he gave an apology. He was unwell, battling loss of voice and cold or allergy symptoms and was dosed up so he could perform. His plan… to continue drinking tea, and nose blowing, as needed, but still see the show through to the end.
It’s fair to say, he did exactly that and he did it so well. With his unique, alternative swagger and his nostalgic voice, he got through an amazing set and came back with two more for an encore. Songs from past and present, from his solo career, brilliant covers and also some Something For Kate numbers were in the mix. The classic Captain, was included, with some newer SFK music like Super Computer, also Ashes to Ashes, Edge of Town, Stunt Show, Blindspot and more. He is charismatic and his songs all seem have meaning and balance. His music is a cocktail, made of interesting lyrics with a kick of citrus interest that is then mellowed out with his calm delivery.
This was a birthday gift of the best kind. Also, kudos to the Imperial Hotel, the venue is great for gigs and to Eumundi Brewery, the beer was cold and delicious.
Food & Fiction 