Bernard Fanning's "Tea and Sympathy" and Ben Lee's "Awake Is The New Sleep" both mark their 20th anniversary this year. Released in 2005, these albums produced popular singles such as Fanning's "Wish You Well" and Lee's "Catch My Disease," which both topped the Hottest 100 of 2005.
Both musicians experienced significant personal challenges prior to the release of these albums. Bernard Fanning's older brother had died, a long-term relationship concluded, and his band, Powderfinger, was on hiatus due to extensive touring and recording. Ben Lee had separated from Claire Danes after a six-year relationship and described experiencing a "spiritual crisis" during this period.
Fanning and Lee, while both prominent Australian musicians, have had different career trajectories and public personas. Fanning, known as the frontman of Powderfinger, achieved widespread popularity with the band's 1996 album "Double Allergic" after an initial album. Lee began his career at 16 with the punk band Noise Addict in 1995, followed by a solo record, "Breathing Tornados," in 1998. Lee was described as "abrasive" and "ambitious," and Fanning reportedly called Lee a "precocious little c***," for which Fanning later apologized.
Lee's album "Awake Is The New Sleep" was influenced by his time in the United States. Fanning characterized his own album, "Tea and Sympathy," as "West End porch music."
Both artists performed soon after their albums were released. Lee's Melbourne concert featured a calm demeanor despite prior personal events. Fanning's Melbourne performance at Festival Hall, which he termed the "last night of our world tour," included guest appearances by singers Sime Nugent and Clare Bowditch.
In recent years, both musicians have continued their careers. Lee embarked on an anniversary tour for "Awake Is The New Sleep" last year, receiving a positive response. Fanning performed a sold-out one-off concert in Queensland and is scheduled for a tour this year. Powderfinger released two more albums, "Dream Days at the Hotel Existence" and "Golden Rule," before disbanding in 2010, but later reformed for an online concert, "One Night Lonely," during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lee maintains an active touring schedule, hosts a podcast titled "Weirder Together" with his wife Ione Skye, and consistently releases new singles. Fanning has released additional solo albums and in 2024 formed a new group, Fanning Dempsey National Park, with Paul Dempsey.
Radio station Double J is scheduled to relive the Hottest 100 of 2005 on Sunday, highlighting the anniversary.