Paul Dempsey Shares Cover of Don Henley’s ‘Boys of Summer’ Ahead of Australian Tour

Catch Paul Dempsey at Thebarton Theatre in November.

Image Ashley Ludkin

Paul Dempsey returns with his take on Don Henley’s classic soft rock anthem ‘Boys of Summer’, taken from his upcoming covers album Shotgun Karaoke II.

The sequel to Dempsey’s 2013 record of the same name, Shotgun Karaoke II features ten covers performed by Dempsey with just an acoustic guitar and his voice.

Dropping Friday 24 October via EMI (pre-order here), the album includes covers of Tanita Tikaram's ‘Twist In My Sobriety’, R.E.M.'s ‘Losing My Religion’, Cher’s ‘If I Could Turn Back Time’ and Dempsey’s just-released take on Don Henley's ‘Boys Of Summer’.

A stripped-back acoustic version of the 1984 rocker, Dempsey’s rugged falsetto suits the song, making this one of his more enjoyable covers.

“I don't really care if they work with my style,” Dempsey explains of his song selection process. “I choose them because I genuinely love the song and think it would be fun to sing.”

The singer-songwriter adds, “Perfect karaoke would be boring. The whole point is to embrace the glorious messiness of it all."

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Dempsey is hitting the road in support of his new album, locking in five shows across the nation this October and November. He’ll be performing tracks from both volumes of Shotgun Karaoke, along with several covers he’s performed over the decades that don’t feature on either record.

WA singer-songwriter Carla Geneve has also been announced as Dempsey’s support act, sharing the stage with him at each show.

The tour begins at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Perth on Friday 31 October, with dates following at Sydney’s Opera House on Friday 7 November, Brisbane’s QPAC on Friday 14 November (sold out) and Adelaide’s recently refurbished Thebarton Theatre on Saturday 15 November, with the final date coming on Saturday 22 November at Melbourne’s Palais Theatre.

Tickets are on sale now via pauldempseymusic.com.

Those living in Sydney have the chance to catch Dempsey play a special free gig at The Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre next month. Presented by the venue, The Betoota Advocate and EMI Music Australia, Paul Dempsey's Karaoke Time Machine promises to be a magical night of acoustic tunes on Tuesday 21 October 21. For the chance to score tickets, enter the exclusive ballot here.

Catch Paul Dempsey at Thebarton Theatre on Saturday 15 November. Tickets on sale via pauldempseymusic.com. Shotgun Karaoke II arrives Friday 24 October via EMI. Pre-order here.

PAUL DEMPSEY
SHOTGUN KARAOKE VOLUME II Australian TOUR DATES

Friday 31 October – His Majesty's Theatre, Perth

Friday 7 November – Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House, Sydney

Friday 14 November – Concert Hall, QPAC, Brisbane

Saturday 15 November – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide

Saturday 22 November – Palais Theatre, Melbourne

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