Music: Passenger

Mike Rosenberg’s no stranger to trespassing. The British muso has done so with this very mag, while his busking license hasn’t always been enough to satisfy local shop owners. But legalities aside, there’s nothing verboten about Rosenberg’s music, which is heart wrenching, haunting and hilarious in turn.

Now back in Australia with Passenger’s second album, Wide Eyes Blind Love, Rosenberg has departed somewhat from the pop-rock of Wicked Man’s Rest in favour of a more unvarnished, pared back style that allows more access to his evocative lyrics. Rosenberg has similarly embraced the troubadour tradition, spending the summer busking his way along the east coast, winning fans who flocked to his local gigs. He also went on tour with Elana Stone, Brian Campeau and Jess Chalker, and has a few cheeky videos to show for it (no, it seems they don’t have Golden Gaytimes in the UK).

But now summer is gone and Rosenberg is heading back to Brighton, though not before he bids Australia farewell with another tour. The dates and venues are as follows:

March 21st, Northcote Social Club, 301 High St, Melbourne
Tickets: https://www.cornerhotel.com/boxoffice/?venue=NS&gig=1269162000

March 23rd, The Troubadour, 3/322 Brunswick St,Fortitude Valley, Brisbane
Tickets: http://tickets.oztix.com.au/?Event=14788&promoID=100

March 31st, Notes, 75 Enmore Rd, Newtown, Sydney
Tickets: http://noteslive.oztix.com.au/default.aspx?Event=14606

April 5th, Mojo’s Bar, 237 Queen Victoria St, North FremantleTickets: http://www.heatseeker.com.au/shoppingcart.aspx

Rosenberg is a truly gifted lyricist and a marvellous musician, and what he has created with Passenger is sure to leave an impression.

For more information head to www.passengerofficial.com