By Geoffrey RowlandsThere was a time when Australian artists only made their name on the international music market after working with British songwriters and producers. From The Seekers and Rolf Harris in the 1960s through to Kylie Minogue, Natalie Imbruglia and many more, recording in Britain has always been a positive career move.For Brighton-born Mike Rosenberg, better known as Passenger, the pattern has worked in reverse. It was his decision to go busking in Australia which became a major step along the road to solo stardom.“This wasn’t the only factor,” smiled the affable 29-year-old folk-rock singer/songwriter. “I owe a lot to the support of my friend Ed Sheeran who has staunchly promoted me and my music. But the Australian people really connected with what I do. Their response was incredibly encouraging.”Music was the only profession Mike ever considered.“I learned classical guitar when I was a child. My parents were always enthusiastic about my becoming a musician and I began writing songs when I was 14.“My first efforts were dreadful but the songs gradually became better and I felt sure I could earn a living in the music business. In fact, I didn’t really apply myself to schoolwork because I knew music was all I wanted to do.”After leaving school at 16, Mike played solo gigs at small venues in and around his home town. A friendship with fellow folkie Andrew Phillips induced him to form the band Passenger with Andrew and three other local musicians.“That was 10 years ago. We did pretty well. We built a following, got a record deal and released our album, Wicked Man’s Rest, in 2007. Andrew and I co-wrote all 11 songs.“Things turned sour a couple of years later. Problems within the band caused us to split. This was around the same time that a personal relationship broke up so it wasn’t the best period of my life.“I kept the name Passenger and returned to playing solo gigs in Brighton and London but I felt like people weren’t bothering to listen. I was depressed and actually came close to giving up music. But I thought I’d try busking. I found people did stop to listen and their donations gave me a decent income.“My main problem was the British weather. I didn’t fancy busking through the winter so I decided to go somewhere warm, English-speaking and with people who might get my music. Australia ticked all the boxes.”Mike’s heartfelt songs struck a chord with the Australian public. His busking and gigging proved lucrative enough to record and self-release his debut album, Wide Eyes Blind Love. This, allied to an appearance at the prestigious One Movement music festival in Perth, saw Mike’s popularity increase significantly. Two further self-funded albums, Divers & Submarines and Flight of the Crow, established him on the Australian folk scene and back home in Britain.“I found myself in demand on both sides of the world. But this was still in folk music circles. It wasn’t until I supported Ed Sheeran on his tours that I really found a mainstream audience.”Mike and Ed have been friends since they both performed at a tiny venue in Cambridge. “Ed was only about 16 then but we formed an immediate friendship. We’d often hang out and play shows together. Since he became hugely popular, he’s been incredibly generous having me as his support act and doing whatever he could to further my career.”These support slots exposed Mike’s music to responsive mainstream audiences. His latest album, All The Little Lights, has so far peaked at No. 6 in Britain, No. 2 in Australia. Lead single, Let Her Go, has topped the chart in 16 countries with the video garnering nearly 38mn views on YouTube.“It’s felt weird to have so many people interested in my music and wanting to see me. I was touring small venues in Australia a year ago. I’m now playing to thousands of people.“I do worry though in that I had a group of musician friends playing the songs with me on my album. It’s just me and my guitar on stage. I hope people who enjoy the arranged songs and bigger production on All The Little Lights won’t be disappointed by my acoustic performance in concert.”
in brief
Remix versionIt’s just three weeks since the release of Daft Punk’s fourth studio album, Random Access Memories, but the duo of Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter have already begun the task of remixing each track.“We never normally remix our own songs,” Thomas explained. “But we’re particularly interested in creating remixes for the tracks on our latest album.”Their current smash hit single, Get Lucky, is the first song to be given the remix treatment. The new version will be available towards the end of this month.Following her dreamsItalian singer Senit is aiming for international stardom. The 33-year-old Bologna-born artist has moved to New York in pursuit of her dream.After finding fame at 14 by winning the Italian television show, Karaoke, she began a career which largely saw her appearing in European productions of stage musicals such as Fame, Hair and The Lion King. But she was also a pop star releasing three albums and representing San Marino in the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest.Her decision to move on to the English-language market has seen Senit reinvent herself as a dance music diva. The video for her latest single, AOK, is available to view at www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nr0kWsQj7GY. Links to four more of Senit’s English songs, plus another in Italian, are also posted on this webpage.AOK, along with One Stop Shop and Follow Me, can be heard and downloaded for free at (no www.) soundcloud.com/senitmusic.Debut EPCage The Elephant guitarist Brad Shultz has joined forces with his vocalist cousin Kane Stewart to form the punk duo Plastic Visions. Their self-titled five-song debut EP can be heard in full at (no www.) plasticvisions.bandcamp.com/. It is available to download for $5. However, their single, Kamikaze, can be acquired for free. It is offered at www.purevolume.com/download.php?id=3446829.The video for Kamikaze is at www.youtube.com/watch?v=KA327wZT394. A link to the video for another EP track, Little String, is also posted here.Mariano awardedAn unusual story concerns heavy metal megastars Metallica and New York Yankees relief pitcher Mariano Rivera. Unquestionably the greatest closer in baseball history, Mariano now finds himself the proud owner of a gold disc. He received the award from The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his use of Metallica’s Enter Sandman to accompany his entrance into games. The song has been played on each occasion Mariano has taken the mound at Yankee Stadium since his first appearance in 1991.The disc is one of many awards Mariano will undoubtedly receive during what is his last season before retiring. It was presented by Cleveland Indians President Mark Shapiro and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame President Greg Harris between games of a double header in what, aside from a possible play-off meeting, was Mariano’s final visit to Cleveland’s Progressive Field.The video for Enter Sandman is posted at www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD-E-LDc384.