Paul Dempsey Announces New Covers Album ‘Shotgun Karaoke Vol. II’ + Tour

Paul Dempsey has begun the rollout of his fourth solo album, Shotgun Karaoke Vol. II. It serves as both the follow-up to his 2016 album Strange Loop and the sequel to his 2013 album Shotgun Karaoke – and, much like the first volume, will see the acclaimed Melbourne singer-songwriter performing a variety of cover songs. The album’s release will be supported by a national tour; details for that, as well ticketing information and the first taste of the new album, can be found below.

Dempsey recorded and produced Shotgun Karaoke Vol. II entirely by himself, as he did with the first instalment. In a press statement, he noted that making the album was “a ridiculous palette cleanser” between working on Fanning Dempsey National Park‘s debut album The Deluge – his collaboration with Powderfinger frontman Bernard Fanning that was released last year – and the forthcoming eighth Something For Kate album. “There are mistakes and imperfections, and they belong – there just like they belong at a karaoke night,” he said. “How boring would perfect karaoke be?”

To coincide with the album’s announcement, Dempsey has shared the album’s opening number and lead single: A cover of Cher‘s 1989 hit ‘If I Could Turn Back Time’. The tracklist for the album has also been revealed, which includes songs such as R.E.M.‘s ‘Losing My Religion’, Patti Smith‘s ‘Because The Night’, Don Henley‘s ‘The Boys Of Summer’ and Tanita Tikaram’s ‘Twist In My Sobriety’.

Paul Dempsey – ‘If I Could Turn Back Time’

The album will also include a cover of the song ‘Dog Eared’ by Perth singer-songwriter Carla Geneve, who expressed her incredulity at the news in a post to her Instagram account. “I am just stunned,” she said. “I am very honoured. The first single is amazing, and I can’t wait to hear the rest. Most of my favourite albums are stripped back acoustic stuff, so this is a dream. Actually, am I dreaming?”

Covers have long been a part of Dempsey’s repertoire. He has appeared on triple j‘s Like A Version segment multiple times throughout his career, both with Something For Kate and as a solo artist. He scored three entries in the Hottest 100 of Like A Version in 2023: Two with Something For Kate (Taylor Swift‘s ‘Cardigan’ at number 66 and Calvin Harris and Florence Welch‘s ‘Sweet Nothing’ at number 45) and one solo (Middle Kids‘ ‘Edge Of Town’, which came in at number 31).

The Shotgun Karaoke national tour will see Dempsey performing songs from both volumes of his covers series, as well as songs from his other two solo albums and the greater Something For Kate back catalogue. He will also make his headlining debut in the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House as a solo artist, having previously performed there alongside Fanning and Sarah Blasko as part of a tribute show to the late David Bowie, on what would have been his 70th birthday in 2017.

Shotgun Karaoke Vol. II can be pre-ordered physically and pre-saved digitally by clicking here.

Paul Dempsey Shotgun Karaoke 2025 Tour

All shows are licensed all-ages.

• Friday, October 31st – His Majesty’s Theatre, Perth WA
• Friday, November 7th – Sydney Opera House Concert Hall, Sydney NSW
• Friday, November 14th – QPAC Concert Hall, Brisbane QLD
• Saturday, November 15th – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide SA
• Saturday, November 22nd – Palais Theatre, Melbourne VIC

A pre-sale for the tour will go live at 10am local time today (Thursday, August 7th). General sale will follow on Friday, August 8th at 12pm local time. Both can be found at PaulDempsey.com.

Further Reading

Mallrat Shares Cover Of Lana Del Rey’s ‘Radio’

Fanny Lumsden Shares Cover Of Gotye’s ‘Somebody That I Used To Know’

Courtney Barnett Shares Cover Of Neil Young’s ‘Lotta Love’