Editing Something for Kate (section)

==History==
===1994–1997: Formation and early years===
Something for Kate were formed in 1994 in Melbourne by Julian Carroll on bass guitar, [[Paul Dempsey]] on lead guitar and lead vocals, and Clint Hyndman on drums.<ref name="McFarlane">{{cite book | last1 = McFarlane | first1 = Ian | author-link1 = Ian McFarlane | title = [[Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop]] | chapter = Encyclopedia entry for 'Something for Kate' | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20040806234911/http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=1061 | chapter-url = http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=1061 | access-date = 23 May 2016 | year = 1999 | publisher = [[Allen & Unwin]] | location = [[St Leonards, New South Wales|St Leonards, NSW]] | archive-date = 6 August 2004 | isbn = 1-86508-072-1 }}</ref> Dempsey and Hyndman were school friends from [[Padua College, Melbourne|Padua College]], [[Mornington Peninsula]]; Carroll successfully answered their advertisement in music stores.<ref name="kingsmill"/> The trio played their first gig on 12 September 1994 at the Punter's Club in Melbourne, changing their band name from Fish of the Day at the suggestion of the venue's booking agent, Richard Moffat.<ref name="kingsmill"/><ref name="Dwyer">{{cite news | url = http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/something-for-kates-enduring-success-baffles-paul-dempsey-20140625-zsky6.html | title = Something for Kate's Enduring Success Baffles Paul Dempsey | last = Dwyer | first = Michael | work = [[The Sydney Morning Herald]] | publisher = [[Fairfax Media]] | date = 25 June 2014 | access-date = 23 May 2016 }}</ref> Dempsey recalled that they performed because they "just wanted to make an abrasive, staccato racket, like electrical machinery."<ref name="Dwyer"/> He explained that the group's new name was inspired by his dog, Kate – he had been left a shopping note, to buy "Something for Kate".<ref name="kingsmill"/><ref name="Nimmervoll">{{cite web | archive-url = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20110126130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/14231/20110127-0000/www.howlspace.com.au/en3/somethingforkate/somethingforkate.html | url = http://www.howlspace.com.au/en3/somethingforkate/somethingforkate.html | title = Something for Kate | last1 = Nimmervoll | first1 = Ed | author-link1 = Ed Nimmervoll | publisher = Howlspace – The Living History of Our Music. White Room Electronic Publishing Pty Ltd (Ed Nimmervoll) | archive-date = 26 January 2011 | access-date =23 May 2016}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> As for the dog, Dempsey's mother sold Kate, the family's [[Jack Russell Terrier|Jack Russell]], "They told me she ran away... I think they were a bit tired of her escaping out of the back fence. My mum let it slip about a year later. She let the dog out of the bag."<ref name="J Files">{{cite news | url = http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/musicnews/s4072735.htm | title = 5 surprising things we learned from Something for Kate's ''J Files'' | work = The J Files | publisher = [[Triple J]] ([[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] (ABC)) | date = 22 August 2014 | access-date = 24 May 2016 }}</ref>

The band built a varied fan base in Melbourne and recorded a demo tape that sold out of multiple pressings.<ref name="kingsmill"/><ref name="Nimmervoll"/> In 1995, [[Sony Music Entertainment|Sony Music]]'s [[Artists and repertoire|A&R]], Chris Dunn, signed them to the Murmur label, which had picked up teenage rock band [[Silverchair]] a year earlier.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="kingsmill"/> He said one song, "Slow", was particularly appealing: "That really triggered the whole thing in me. I kept on playing this song over and over again. I just thought it was a really good song for such a young person."<ref name="kingsmill">{{cite book | last = Kingsmill | first = Richard | author-link = Richard Kingsmill | title = The J Files Compendium | chapter = The Early Years of Something for Kate | chapter-url = http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/kingsmill/playlist/s3993582.htm | publisher = ABC Books | year = 2002 | location = Sydney | pages = 273–6 | isbn = 0-7333-1066-4 }}</ref>

Something for Kate released a seven-track extended play, ''[[....The Answer to Both Your Questions]]'', in May 1996.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Nimmervoll2">{{cite web | url = http://www.allmusic.com/artist/something-for-kate-mn0000036961/biography | title = Something for Kate Biography & History | last = Nimmervoll | first = Ed | work = [[AllMusic]] | access-date = 23 May 2016 }}</ref> It was produced by Greg Atkinson and appeared both on CD and as a hand-decorated mini-LP.<ref name="Holmgren">{{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121011223427/http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/s/somethingforkate.html | url = http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/s/somethingforkate.html | title = Something for Kate | last1 = Holmgren | first1 = Magnus | work = hem.passagen.se | publisher = [[Australian Rock Database]] (Magnus Holmgren) | archive-date = 11 October 2012 | url-status = usurped | access-date = 23 May 2016 }}</ref> An ''Oz Music Project'' reviewer described it as "a critically acclaimed debut release and started catching the ears of punters around the country."<ref name="OzMusProj"/> During August and September of that year, they undertook the Unipaloser Tour of national universities with label mates [[Jebediah]] and [[Bluebottle Kiss]].<ref name="OzMusProj">{{cite web | archive-url = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20050806140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/36937/20050807-0000/www.ozmusicproject.net/band/artist5ced.html?ID=4 | url = http://www.ozmusicproject.net/band/artist5ced.html?ID=4 | title = Something for Kate | work = Oz Music Project | archive-date = 6 August 2005 | access-date = 23 May 2016 }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

In October they followed with a single, "[[Dean Martin (song)|Dean Martin]]",<ref name="McFarlane"/> also produced by Atkinson,<ref name="Holmgren"/> which received frequent airplay on youth radio network, [[Triple J]].<ref name="kingsmill"/> A limited edition five-track EP, ''Intermission'', was hastily assembled from leftover recordings and released in March 1997, quickly becoming a collectors' item.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="kingsmill" /> Jasper Lee of ''Oz Music Project'' declared that it "shows the vast potential for [the] Melbourne band... Dempsey's voice proves that under the thick layer of the morbid rock guy, that a emotionally-brittle heart lies within."<ref>{{cite web | archive-url = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20050806140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/36937/20050807-0000/www.ozmusicproject.net/magazine/cdreviews983e.html | url = http://www.ozmusicproject.net/magazine/cdreviews983e.html | title = Something for Kate: ''Intermission'' Murmur | last = Lee | first = Jasper | work = Oz Music Project | archive-date = 6 August 2005 | access-date = 23 May 2016 }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

In February 1997, the band recorded their debut album, ''[[Elsewhere for 8 Minutes]]'' (July 1997), at York St Studios, [[Auckland]], with producer [[Brian Paulson]], whose credits included [[Wilco]] and [[Slint]].<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Nimmervoll"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> Carroll, who had recently married, quit the band to live on a rural property, but agreed to remain for the sessions, he was replaced on bass guitar by Toby Ralph (ex-Lobtailing).<ref name="kingsmill" /><ref name="Nimmervoll"/> Greg Lawrence of WHAMMO website described the album as "the glorious debut" which "showed, early on in this band's career, the depth of emotional range at the disposal of songwriter and singer Paul Dempsey... [it] is a crucial initial chapter in the story of this important Australian band."<ref name="Lawrence">{{cite web | last = Lawrence | first = Greg | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040812025403/http://www.whammo.com.au/browse.asp?SectionID=238 | url = http://www.whammo.com.au/browse.asp?SectionID=238 | title = Something for Kate – The WHAMMO Interview | date = 11 August 2003 | publisher = Worldwide Home of Australasian Music and More Online (WHAMMO) | archive-date = 12 August 2004 | access-date = 24 May 2016 }}</ref>

A single, "Captain (Million Miles an Hour)", appeared in May 1997.<ref name="Nimmervoll"/> It received heavy airplay on Triple J and was listed at No.&nbsp;39 on their [[Triple J Hottest 100, 1997|Hottest 100 for that year]].<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Triple J 97">{{cite web | url = http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hottest100/history/1997.htm | title = Hottest 100 1997 | publisher = [[Triple J Hottest 100]]. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) | access-date = 24 May 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121122060705/http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hottest100/history/1997.htm | archive-date = 22 November 2012 | url-status = dead | df = dmy-all }}</ref> The band's following quickly grew and they toured heavily, scoring gigs on numerous major festivals.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Nimmervoll"/> Dempsey acknowledged that "It's pretty hard when you start out. It's only now that we're starting to get some serious recognition that we can finally begin to pick & choose where we want to play. But to do that, you have to be able to prove that, as a band, you can really cut it live & draw the crowds."<ref name="Captain's Log">{{cite web | archive-url = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20050706140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/11793/20050707-0000/members.ozemail.com.au/_hmag/iview/iviewtxt/sfkateint.html | url = http://members.ozemail.com.au/_hmag/iview/iviewtxt/sfkateint.html | title = Captain's Log: Something for Kate / Paul Dempsey Interview | work = hEARd | archive-date = 6 July 2005 | access-date = 23 May 2016 }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

===1998–2002: ''Beautiful Sharks''===
After about a year in Something for Kate, Ralph had failed to fit in with the other two,<ref name="kingsmill" /> he was replaced by [[Stephanie Ashworth]] from three-piece indie rockers, Sandpit.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/artists/abc67403-7d68-44e1-967e-5d8585b53e5a Stephanie Ashworth profile, BBC.]</ref> Sandpit had released their own debut album, ''On Second Thought'', in May 1998 but they disbanded – founding drummer Paul Sciacca had left ahead of recording sessions.<ref name="McFarlane"/> Ashworth on bass guitar, keyboards and backing vocals and Brendan Webb, on lead guitar and vocals, had finished that album with their producer, Greg Wales, also on drums.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Abebe">{{cite web | url = http://www.allmusic.com/album/hunting-picture-mw0000932073/credits | title = ''Hunting Picture'' – Sandpit &#124; Credits | last = Abebe | first = Nitsuh | work = AllMusic | access-date = 24 May 2016 }}</ref>

Dempsey felt that his group were going through a "really turbulent period" and "completely de-constructed everything" to rebuild after Ashworth joined.<ref name="kingsmill"/> He continued, "We've just been lucky because we've got this really natural chemistry between the three of us... We've finally got the right combination of people and we're collaborating the way a band should."<ref name="kingsmill"/> By the time Ashworth had joined "she and Dempsey had gone from musical acquaintances to becoming a couple."<ref name="Nimmervoll"/> In June 1998 Something for Kate issued another single, "Roll Credit", which included label mates Jebediah's cover of their song, "Clint" and SFK's cover of Jebediah's "[[Harpoon (EP)|Harpoon]]".<ref name="McFarlane"/> Murmur also issued a split double-7" single/EP with the two versions of "Harpoon" on one disc and both versions of "Clint" on the other.<ref name="McFarlane"/>

During 1998 Dempsey set up a side project, Scared of Horses, to release a solo album ''[[An Empty Flight]]'', in November that year.<ref name="In Media">{{cite news | archive-url = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/19991206130000/http://www.immedia.com.au/im_m/archive/981201-137/air.html | url = http://www.immedia.com.au/im_m/archive/981201-137/air.html | title = AIR Charts – 1st December 1998 | last = Owens | first = J | work = In Media & Music | issue = 137 | archive-date = 6 December 1999 | date = 30 November 1998 | access-date = 24 May 2016 | via = National Library of Australia }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> He co-wrote and performed the tracks with a variety of fellow artists on lead vocals including Ashworth, [[Jamie Hutchings]] of Bluebottle Kiss, [[Laura MacFarlane]] of [[Ninetynine]], Andria Prudente of Arrosa, [[Glenn Richards]] of [[Augie March]] and [[Heinz Riegler]] of [[Not from There]].<ref name="SFK Official">{{cite web | url = http://somethingforkate.com/news/rare-paul-dempsey-scared-of-horses-album-finally-to-become-available-again/ | title = Rare Paul Dempsey ''Scared of Horses'' Album Finally to Become Available Again | date = 11 August 2010 | publisher = Something for Kate Official Website | access-date = 24 May 2016 }}</ref>

In late 1998 the band travelled to [[Toronto]] to rehearse and record their second album, ''[[Beautiful Sharks]]'', again with Paulson as producer.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> Ashworth and Dempsey co-wrote half of the music for the album.<ref name="Nimmervoll"/> It was released the following June, which reached No.&nbsp;10 on the [[ARIA Charts|ARIA Albums Chart]], and was certified gold status by ARIA for shipment of 35,000 copies, in 2001.<ref name="AusCharts">{{cite web | url = http://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Something+For+Kate | title = Discography Something for Kate | publisher = Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung) | last = Hung | first = Steffen | access-date = 24 May 2016 }}</ref><ref name="ARIA Cert 01 Albs">{{Cite certification|region=Australia|type=album|certyear=2001}}</ref><ref name="Mathieson">{{cite book | last = Mathieson | first = Craig | author-link = Craig Mathieson | title = The Sell-In: How the Music Business Seduced Alternative Rock | publisher = Allen & Unwin | year = 2000 | location = Sydney | page = 223| isbn = 1-86508-412-3}}</ref> According to Australian musicologist, [[Ian McFarlane]], "the acclaimed [album] moved beyond the stark instrumentation of the first album into more diverse pastures (for example, the rumbling 'Electricity', the atmospheric 'Beautiful Sharks')".<ref name="McFarlane"/> Dino Scatena, an Australian journalist, opined that "a lot of the beauty in [the album] lies in its understated quality ... so subtle, so perfect, any other songwriter would give his little pinky for a moment of such inspiration, such craftsmanship."<ref name="Lawrence"/>

"Electricity", their next single, appeared ahead of the album in March 1999 and peaked in the ARIA Singles Chart top&nbsp;40.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="AusCharts"/> It was followed by "Hallways" in August, which did not reach the top&nbsp;50.<ref name="McFarlane"/> ''Beautiful Sharks'' was nominated for Best Alternative Release at the [[ARIA Music Awards of 1999]].<ref name="ARIA List"/> The band embarked on a major tour with Powderfinger and had three tracks listed in the [[Triple J Hottest 100, 1999]]: "Electricity" (No.&nbsp;44), "Whatever You Want" (No.&nbsp;70) and "Hallways" (No.&nbsp;72).<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Triple J 99">{{cite web | url = http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hottest100/history/1999.htm | title = Hottest 100 1999 | publisher = Triple J Hottest 100. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) | access-date = 24 May 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121104104600/http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hottest100/history/1999.htm | archive-date = 4 November 2012 | url-status = dead | df = dmy-all }}</ref> They toured [[Japan]] and the United States in early 2000, where Ashworth received — and rejected — an offer to join [[Courtney Love]]'s rock band, [[Hole (band)|Hole]].<ref name="kingsmill"/>

===2001–2002: ''Echolalia''===
Something for Kate's third studio album, ''[[Echolalia (album)|Echolalia]]'' (June 2001), was produced by [[Trina Shoemaker]] ([[Sheryl Crow]], [[Queens of the Stone Age]]).<ref name="ODonnell"/> They began work at Mangrove Studios – owned by INXS member [[Garry Gary Beers]] – on Sydney's north coast.<ref name="ODonnell"/> The sessions in a windowless rehearsal studio stretched out over a year as Dempsey struggled with [[writer's block]].<ref name="kingsmill"/> He recalled:

{{quote|We'd go down there every day, pick up our instruments and wait for something to happen. And we spent a lot of days just sitting there, staring at each other. We'd set a standard for ourselves and I guess we were trying to meet that. Nothing was happening, we got really depressed and we hit a wall. I was spiralling down.<ref name="kingsmill"/>}}

Exasperated, the band travelled to an island in the [[Gulf of Thailand]], where Dempsey wrote "Monsters" in 20 minutes. He said the song, about overcoming self-doubt, broke the drought: "As soon as I stopped thinking about it, as soon as I stopped being a songwriter, it came. So after that, we came home and wrote about 20 songs."<ref name="kingsmill"/> Ashworth described Dempsey's guitar work: "Paul was a really percussive guitarist: he's a drummer, first and foremost and he actually taught Clint to play the drums. So he comes from playing the guitar from a really percussive perspective; from a very Fugazi-type of world, creating every aspect of a song on the guitar instead of just melodies."<ref name="Lawrence"/>

The album, released in June 2001, peaked at No.&nbsp;2 and was certified as platinum – for shipment of 70,000 copies – by the end of the year.<ref name="AusCharts"/><ref name="ARIA Cert 01 Albs"/> Lawrence felt that "In many ways, it marks quite a departure from their past two efforts, moving towards a sparser and richer sound, both in terms of instrumentation and the moods it creates. A dazzling evolution for this vital Melbourne trio."<ref name="Lawrence"/> It was listed in the top&nbsp;40 in the book, ''[[100 Best Australian Albums]]'' (October 2010).<ref name="ODonnell">{{cite book | title = [[100 Best Australian Albums]] | last1 = O'Donnell | first1 = John | author-link1 = John O'Donnell (music journalist) | last2 = Creswell | first2 = Toby | author-link2 = Toby Creswell | last3 = Mathieson | first3 = Craig | publisher = Hardie Grant Books | date = October 2010 | location = [[Prahran, Victoria|Prahran, Vic]] | pages = 120–121 | isbn = 978-1-74066-955-9 }}</ref> The authors, [[John O'Donnell (music journalist)|John O'Donnell]], [[Toby Creswell]] and [[Craig Mathieson]], explained, "[it is] full of ghosts; figures appear and then disappear; people turn into nothingness as they blindly repeat their daily routines, and protagonists try to find a way to move from the world they know to the world they want."<ref name="ODonnell"/>

"Monsters" was issued in April 2001 as the album's lead single, which debuted at No.&nbsp;15, and is the group's highest charting single.<ref name="AusCharts"/> O'Donnell, Creswell and Mathieson described the track's sound, "It begins with purpose, shadowed by a hint of trepidation, but two lines in, as the bass starts to make its point and Dempsey's voice becomes more pointed, the song starts to summon self-belief."<ref name="ODonnell"/> Fellow Australian music journalist, [[Ed Nimmervoll]], felt the group had "spent more time on their songs than they'd ever spent in the past. On record the result was the rich and full sound which they haven't been able to capture up until now. Their efforts were rewarded and the band's status confirmed with the first single 'Monsters' becoming the band's first bona fide 'hit'."<ref name="Nimmervoll"/> It was followed by two more singles, "Three Dimensions" (August) and "Twenty Years" (November), which reached the top&nbsp;50.<ref name="AusCharts"/>

The band sold out two national tours and finished the year again supporting Powderfinger. At the [[ARIA Music Awards of 2001]] Something for Kate were nominated in six categories – [[ARIA Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]], [[ARIA Award for Best Group|Best Group]], Best Alternative Release and [[ARIA Award for Best Cover Art|Best Cover Art]] (by Ashworth) for ''Echolalia''; and [[ARIA Award for Single of the Year|Single of the Year]] and Best Video (directed by Bart Borghesi) for "Monsters" – but they did not win a trophy.<ref name="ARIA List">ARIA Music Awards for Something for Kate:
* Search Results 'Something for Kate': {{cite web | url = http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/search/?q=silverchair&view=list&text=Something%20for%20Kate | title = Winners by Year: Search Results for 'Something for Kate' | publisher = Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) | access-date = 23 May 2016 }}
* 1999 winners and nominees: {{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110519015907/http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php?year=1999 | url = http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/year/1999 | title = Winners by Year 1999 | publisher = Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) | archive-date = 19 May 2011 | access-date = 23 May 2016 }}
* 2001 winners and nominees: {{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070926235727/http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php?year=2001 | url = http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/year/2001 | title = Winners By Year 2001 | publisher = Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) | archive-date = 26 September 2007 | access-date = 23 May 2016 }}
* 2003 winners and nominees: {{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070926235713/http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php?year=2003 | url = http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/year/2003 | title = Winners By Year 2003 | publisher = Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) | archive-date = 26 September 2007 | access-date = 23 May 2016 }}</ref> On the [[Triple J Hottest 100, 2001]] "Monsters" as listed at No.&nbsp;2, "Three Dimensions" at No.&nbsp;13 and "Twenty Years" at No.&nbsp;37;<ref name="Triple J 01">{{cite web | url = http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hottest100/archive/archive.htm?year=2001&alltime=0 | title = Hottest 100 2001 | publisher = Triple J Hottest 100. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) | access-date = 24 May 2016 }}</ref> while ''Echolalia'' was listed as the top album for the year.

===2003–2008: ''The Official Fiction'', ''Desert Lights'', and hiatus===
On 15 August 2003 Something for Kate issued their fourth studio album, ''[[The Official Fiction]]'', which is their first number-one album.<ref name="AusCharts"/> It was produced by Shoemaker at Mangrove Studios, again.<ref name="Nimmervoll"/> Lawrence opined that it "is the perfect soundtrack to the inevitable self-indulgent melancholy I'll be suffering/enjoying for the next few days/weeks/months. The precisely structured chord progressions, creative arrangements and insightful lyrics are already weaving their magic and cultivating the warm gloom of loss."<ref name="Lawrence"/> He noticed that "[Dempsey's] voice is instantly recognisable and familiar as he tells the stories that have become a feature of SFK's unique lyrical content" while "Hyndman's drumming is far from conservative, offering oddly but deftly placed accents and a beat that fights the sugar-sweet melodies to provide a much-needed edge."<ref name="Lawrence"/>

The first two singles from the album were "[[Deja Vu (Something For Kate song)|Déjà Vu]]" (July 2003), which peaked at No.&nbsp;19, and "[[Song for a Sleepwalker]]" (October), which reached the top&nbsp;40.<ref name="AusCharts"/> At the [[ARIA Music Awards of 2003]] SFK received four nominations: Album of the Year, Best Group, [[ARIA Award for Best Rock Album|Best Rock Album]] and Best Cover Art (by Ashworth and Dave Horner) for ''The Official Fiction''.<ref name="ARIA List"/> It was certified gold by the end of that year.<ref name="ARIA Cert 03 Albs">{{Cite certification|region=Australia|type=album|certyear=2003}}</ref> On the [[Triple J Hottest 100, 2003]], "Déjà Vu" was listed at No.&nbsp;11 and "Song for a Sleepwalker" at No.&nbsp;63;<ref name="Triple J 03">{{cite web | url = http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hottest100/archive/archive.htm?year=2003&alltime=0 | title = Hottest 100 2003 | publisher = Triple J Hottest 100. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) | access-date = 25 May 2016 }}</ref> ''Official Fiction'' was listed at No.&nbsp;6 on the Top&nbsp;10 Albums of 2003. Ashworth described the group, "We're an album band not a singles band. We write albums and then the record company picks whatever they want to be the single. That's what's really difficult. So for you, you might get a very one-sided idea of what a band's like and then you put the album on and you go: 'Oh, I didn't realize they had this side.' That's where I think singles are a real fucker. I don't like it."<ref name="Lawrence"/>

''[[Desert Lights]]'', their fifth studio album (1 June 2006) also topped the charts – their second number-one album.<ref name="AusCharts"/> It was certified gold status within a month of its release.<ref name="ARIA Cert 06 Albs">{{Cite certification|region=Australia|type=album|certyear=2006}}</ref> They had recorded it over four months in Los Angeles with [[Brad Wood]] ([[Ben Lee]], [[the Smashing Pumpkins]], [[Liz Phair]]).<ref name="Amazon Desert">{{cite web | url = https://www.amazon.com/Desert-Lights-Something-Kate/dp/B000G6H40M | title = Something for Kate – Desert Lights | work = [[Amazon.com]] | access-date = 25 May 2016 }}</ref> Dempsey had started working on lyrics for it in the previous year, "Writing this record was difficult. But at the end of it, I've never been happier."<ref name="Triple J Desert">{{cite web | url = http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/review/album/s1670034.htm | title = Music Reviews: Something for Kate: ''Desert Lights'' | publisher = Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) | date = 23 June 2006 | access-date = 25 May 2016 }}</ref> Stephanie McDonald of [[Junkee Media|FasterLouder]] felt its "sound has moved from one of raw, hard rock to something a lot more melodic with pop appeal... [the group] combines both those elements into something truly inspirational."<ref name="MacDonald">{{cite web | url = http://fasterlouder.junkee.com/something-for-kate-desert-lights/777817 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160804060400/http://fasterlouder.junkee.com/something-for-kate-desert-lights/777817 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 4 August 2016 | title = Something for Kate – ''Desert Lights'' | last = McDonald | first = Stephanie | work = FasterLouder | publisher = [[Junkee Media]] | date = 27 June 2006 | access-date = 25 May 2016 }}</ref>

"Cigarettes and Suitcases", the lead single, was released in May 2006, which reached No.&nbsp;23, while the follow-up single, "Oh Kamikaze", appeared in September and reached the top&nbsp;40.<ref name="AusCharts"/> Rob Smith of ''The Dwarf'' felt that the first single "is SFK at their typical alternative rock best, blending a catchy and melodious chorus with constant beats and a use of light and heavy guitar work. The second single 'Oh, Kamikaze' is a more upbeat number one might almost be able to dance to, if one could dance that is."<ref name="Smith">{{cite web | url = http://thedwarf.com.au/album_review/desert-lights | title = ''Desert Lights'' by Something for Kate reviewed | last = Smith | first = Rob | work = The Dwarf | date = 29 July 2006 | access-date = 25 May 2016 }}</ref>

A compilation 2×CD album, ''[[The Murmur Years]]'', was released on 18 August 2007 with one new song, "The Futurist". According to Nimmervoll "Notwithstanding a couple of one-off reunion shows for their ever-loyal following Something for Kate went into hiatus while their leader concentrated on writing for a solo album."<ref name="Nimmervoll"/> They issued a limited edition 16-track live album, ''[[Live at the Corner (Something for Kate album)|Live at the Corner]]'', as an "artist-controlled bootleg", capturing the sound of the band on stage on 23 February 2008 at the [[Corner Hotel]] in [[Richmond, Victoria|Richmond]].<ref name="Cleghorn">{{cite web | url = http://fasterlouder.junkee.com/something-for-kates-live-at-the-corner/789987 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160804063840/http://fasterlouder.junkee.com/something-for-kates-live-at-the-corner/789987 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 4 August 2016 | title = Something for Kate's ''Live at the Corner'' | last = Cleghorn | first = Justine | work = FasterLouder | publisher = Junkee Media | date = 24 January 2008 | access-date = 25 May 2016 }}</ref>

===2012–2013: Reformation, ''Leave Your Soul to Science'', and second hiatus===
In mid-2012 Something for Kate resumed their recording career, six years after their previous studio effort.<ref name="Clode"/> They worked on ''[[Leave Your Soul to Science]]'' (September 2012) in [[Dallas]] with [[John Congleton]] ([[Okkervil River]], [[Shearwater (band)|Shearwater]], [[the New Pornographers]]) co-producing.<ref name="Clode">{{cite web | url = http://fasterlouder.junkee.com/something-for-kate-were-trashing-the-old-sfk-and-starting-afresh/830106 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160804151746/http://fasterlouder.junkee.com/something-for-kate-were-trashing-the-old-sfk-and-starting-afresh/830106 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 4 August 2016 | title = Something for Kate: 'We're trashing the old SFK and starting afresh' | last = Clode | first = Samantha | work = FasterLouder | publisher = Junkee Media | date = 9 October 2012 | access-date = 26 May 2016 }}</ref> Dempsey said they looked for someone to contain them during the recording process: "We recognised an inclination or proclivity among ourselves to procrastinate and keep layering stuff up. We knew that we needed to fight that instinct and he was very much the guy to help us."<ref name="age">{{cite news | last = Levin | first = Darren | title = Something for the jokers | newspaper = [[The Age]] | date = 28 September 2012 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/music/something-for-the-jokers-20120927-26npm.html | access-date = 8 October 2012 }}</ref>

The band uploaded two songs from the album to the internet before its release ("Survival Expert" and "The Fireball at the End of Everything") and also played two live shows in Melbourne and Sydney to preview it.<ref name="Henriques">{{Cite web|title=Something for Kate Unveil Another Track from First Album in Six Years|url=http://www.tonedeaf.com.au/news/local-news/202866/kate-unveil-track-album-years.htm|work=Tone Deaf |access-date=8 October 2012|author= Henriques-Gomes, Luke|date=21 September 2012}}</ref> The album reached No.&nbsp;5,<ref name="AusCharts"/> and provided three singles, "Survival Expert" (August 2012),<ref name="Triple J Survival">{{cite web | url = http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/musicnews/s3561192.htm#.V0Y7TGayRpU | title = Hear: Something for Kate's 'Survival Expert' | publisher = Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) | date = 7 August 2012 | access-date = 26 May 2016 }}</ref> "Miracle Cure" (December) and "Star-crossed Citizens" (May 2013).

As part of the band's mid-2013 Star-Crossed Cities Tour, Dempsey recorded Shotgun Karaoke video segments prior to each show, in which he performed cover versions of songs by artists, the Lemonheads,<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/0EW4-7oWT1k Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20151206024237/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EW4-7oWT1k Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|title=Shotgun Karaoke #12 Paul Dempsey Something for Kate|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EW4-7oWT1k|work=YouTube|publisher=Google, Inc|access-date=9 June 2013|author=SFKOFFICIAL|format=Video upload|date=7 June 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> David Bowie,<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/2Xigou7ld7I Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20131003100835/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Xigou7ld7I&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|title=Shotgun Karaoke #11 Paul Dempsey Something for Kate|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Xigou7ld7I|work=YouTube|publisher=Google, Inc|access-date=9 June 2013|author=SFKOFFICIAL|format=Video upload|date=1 June 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> INXS,<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/Omto-Jy32LY Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20140412132141/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Omto-Jy32LY&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|title=Shotgun Karaoke #8 Paul Dempsey Something for Kate|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Omto-Jy32LY|work=YouTube|publisher=Google, Inc|access-date=9 June 2013|author=SFKOFFICIAL|format=Video upload|date=29 May 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and Queen.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/cuXFNmtVX5M Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20130523004651/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuXFNmtVX5M&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|title=Shotgun Karaoke #5 Paul Dempsey Something for Kate|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuXFNmtVX5M|work=YouTube|publisher=Google, Inc|access-date=9 June 2013|author=SFKOFFICIAL|format=Video upload|date=18 May 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The tour for ended in [[Hobart]] on 29 June 2013.<ref>{{cite web|title=Something for Kate Australian Tour, May/June 2013|url=http://musicfeeds.com.au/news/something-for-kate-australian-tour-mayjune-2013/|work=Music Feeds|access-date=9 June 2013|author=Zanotti, Marc |date=29 January 2013}}</ref> By October that year Dempsey had resumed his solo career.

===2020: ''The Modern Medieval''===
In April 2020, Something for Kate released "Situation Room", their first new track in eight years. It served as the lead single for the band's seventh studio album, which at the time was also titled ''Situation Room'' and a to-be-decided release date.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://themusic.com.au/features/something-for-kate-situation-room-paul-dempsey-mark-neilsen/A5IfFxYZGBs/02-04-20/|title=Something For Kate's New Song Is Exactly What We Need Right Now|website=The Music|date=2 April 2020|access-date=7 April 2020}}</ref> In July 2020, the band released the album's second single, "Waste Our Breath".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/doublej/programs/mornings/double-j-mornings-zan-rowe-something-for-kate-joy-division/12444774 |title=Premiere: new Something For Kate on Mornings |website=abc.net.au |date=16 July 2020}}</ref> In September 2020, the band announced both the album's title as ''The Modern Medieval'' and its third single, "Supercomputer". On 1 October 2020, the album's fourth single, "Come Back Before I Come Back to My Senses" was released.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/something-for-kate-unveil-new-single-come-back-before-i-come-back-to-my-senses/|title= Something For Kate Unveil New Single 'Come Back Before I Come Back To My Senses'|website=MusicFeeds|date=1 October 2020|access-date=11 October 2020}}</ref> The album was released on 20 November and debuted at Number 5 on the ARIA chart 2020.<ref name="TMM">{{cite web |last1=Gallagher |first1=Alex |title=Something for Kate Announce First Album in Eight Years ''The Modern Medieval'' |url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/something-for-kate-modern-medieval-supercomputer/ |website=Music Feeds |date=2 September 2020 |publisher=Evolve Media |access-date=3 September 2020}}</ref>