"Ways & Means" was issued in 2004 and peaked at No. 13. Though identified as a solo record, it was more of a group effort, with a backing band, later dubbed the Boon Companions, co-writing most of the tracks. The Boon Companions consisted of Kelly's nephew Dan Kelly on guitar, Peter Luscombe on drums, his brother Dan Luscombe on guitar and keyboards, and Bill McDonald on bass guitar. Bramwell was impressed with their live performance in May: "Kelly steers and shapes not only his music, but the way he presents it. A live show is never just knocked together ... the details are always careful". In February ABC Television started broadcasting the series "Fireflies", which featured a score by Kelly and Stephen Rae. The associated soundtrack CD, "Fireflies: Songs of Paul Kelly", included tracks by Kelly, Paul Kelly and the Boon Companions, Professor Ratbaggy, and Paul Kelly with Uncle Bill. Sian Prior sang with the Boon Companions on the "Fireflies" track "Los Cucumbros", which later appeared on "Stardust Five". Prior, an opera singer, became Kelly's girlfriend in 2002. They met when she interviewed him for "Sunday Arts" on ABC Radio. Prior is also a journalist and university lecturer.