Something for Kate – Shine their 'Desert Lights'

It's been three years since Something For Kate released their album, 'The Official Fiction' which debuted at number one on the Australian Album charts. With descriptions of the band 's music that read “while their lyrical potency ensures a fanatical, cult-like fan-base”, their new album 'Desert Lights' will definately tame and subdue the masses.

“The new album is a lot more stripped back and live sounding and not as polished and produced as the last two albums – where we were aiming for a lush layered sound. Having done that now, we wanted to try to capture what the band sounded like live... capture that energy,” Paul says.

“...(it's) a lot more guitar driven, but musically songs are quite different. ...I think a lot of that comes down to my voice, and how different production is. ... (I have a) very particular type of voice that divides people.”

Reading the band's Studio Diary on their website (www.somethingforkate.com) gives an amazing personal insight into the creation of 'Desert Lights', with the diary entries intertwined with beautiful photos of their time in America.

Something for Kate spent four months in LA recording the new album with producer Brad Wood, who has worked with other artists such as Ben Lee, Liz Phair, Pete Yorn and Tortise. “...the recording process was great... recording was a breeze. He was a lovely guy and we couldn't be happier with the job he did. He captured the sound...,” Paul says.

“(it was ) extremely difficult to write this new album... for reasons that are difficult to pinpoint. It's our fifth album, and it gets a little more challenging each time to raise the bar and not sound like a paraody of ourself. ...Everytime you come up with a song you know you love then that's a great feeling and that can sustain you for months afterwards... conviction to keep going...”

The first single release from the Album, 'Cigarettes and Suitcases', EP includes the band's cover of The Cure's 'Close to Me'. The track is part of an exclusive release through iTunes Music Store, only available for one week from May 9th.

“It was really a spur of the moment thing (to record the cover). We didn't give it much thought. We just decided to cover it and learnt it and recorded it in an afternoon. (It has a ) good energy.”

The other B-sides consist of a new track titled 'The Actor Makes His Move' recorded by Brad Wood in L.A. during the album sessions, a cover of Echo and the Bunnymen's classic, 'The Killing Moon' and a live recording of 'Prick' from 2004.

The band's album artwork has had Paul's handwriting on each, giving the designs a feeling of continuity.

“We've always done that (designed the artwork) ourselves – with the first two albums, we used photos and then the band assembled them. Last two were (the bassist's) Stephanie's photography we would take her photos and lay them out. We always want to try something new. A young artist, Karla Pringle (created both 'Cigarettes and Suitcases' and 'Desert Lights' artwork) ...I had seen some of her work and filled her head with ideas and lyrics (to create the album cover),” Paul says.

Something For Kate are about to bring 'Desert Lights’ live to the fans with tickets selling very fast for the 'Sci Fi Sunsets' Tour, and an intimate (sold-out) warm up show at The Northcote Social Club in Melbourne planned before the tour begins in mid May.

“We had announced the show at the Prince of Wales and that show sold out and we considered whether to do another Prince of Wales' show... We wanted to have the smaller show. A good oportunity to have a run through before...,” Paul says.

The 'Sci Fi' Tour covers most of Australia, with shows scheduled for Melbourne, Sydney, Coffs Harbour, Brisbane, Moorooduc (Vic), Darwin, Adelaide, Peth and Freemantle. Although Tasmania is not included in this Tour, fans in the State will get to experience the band live later this year.

As well as their musical pursuits, Something for Kate is a also a band with an interest in the environment and charities, with their website featuring links to such organisations as Greenpeace and OXFAM.

“Yeah we do (support these organisations). Everybody knows there is problems in the world. We've always tried to have groups at our shows. We've had them set up a stall in the foyer, hand out information - The Wilderness Society, OXFAM...,” Paul says.

So with their new album 'Desert Lights' to hit the shelves around July 1, a short tour of Australia during Mayand June, and more live shows being planned for later in the year, Something for Kate are about to make their mark once again.

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