Tea & Sympathy (Bernard Fanning album)

Tea & Sympathy
Studio album by
Released31 October 2005
RecordedReal World Studios, Bath, England
May – June 2005

Leafy Bug Studios, Brisbane, Australia
July 2005
GenreAlternative rock, country-folk
Length46:41
LabelDew Process (AUS)
Lost Highway (US)
ProducerTchad Blake, Bernard Fanning
Bernard Fanning chronology
Tea & Sympathy
(2005)
Departures
(2013)
Singles from Tea & Sympathy
  1. "Wish You Well"
    Released: 2005
  2. "Songbird"
    Released: 2005
  3. "Watch Over Me"
    Released: 26 June 2006
  4. "Weekend of Mystery"
    Released: 15 August 2006

Tea & Sympathy is the debut solo album by Australian musician Bernard Fanning. It was released on 31 October 2005, by Dew Process records while Powderfinger—Fanning's main band—were on hiatus. Contrary to Powderfinger's usual alternative style, the album blends alternative and country-folk music. Most of the record was written after the cancer-related death of his brother in 2002. His brother's death coincided with the end of Fanning's twelve-year relationship with his partner, and both events were instrumental in his move away from his typically political and socially lyrical subject matter.

Fanning recorded four songs at his home studio in Brisbane and the rest at Real World Studios near Bath, England. Fanning worked with producer Tchad Blake in both sessions. To support the album's release Fanning toured Australia twice and performed across North America and the UK.

"Tea & Sympathy" topped the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) albums chart and won three awards at the 2006 ARIA Awards, as well as an APRA Award.

At the J Award of 2005, the album was nominated for Australian Album of the Year.