Tongue in cheek sinister pop songs about stalking? Meet Passenger.
Headed up by Mike Rosenberg, /Passenger are a five-piece from Brighton with a different take on pop. The 23-year-old founder pens unsettling songs about stalking, wasted lives and the despair of abandoned dogs, all with an alarming eye for detail.
Is there something he’s hiding? “That I have a disturbed mind, you mean?” laughs Rosenberg. “No, not at all. Even my darkest songs have a sense of humour. The worst crime you can commit in pop is taking yourself too seriously. Passenger has its down tempo moments and some of our songs are quite sensitive, but they all share a certain quirkiness. In the end it’s about storytelling – creating characters and sending them off on a journey.”
None of their songs are what you could call straight down the line, it’s the juxtaposition of music and lyrics that tends to throw people.
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
Hi Mike, Hope to see you on Sunday at Trof. The Missus says she saw you playing in Market Street a few weeks ago, I take it you like it up here then??! All the best, Mike
Just got my copy of Wide Eyes Blind Love today in the post...already listended to it twice and added to my PC and my Phone and mp3 player. It is WONDERFUL. It finally got here from the UK. See everyone who is posting is in UK. Sucks for me because they all get to see you live sometime. Here in Kansas City if you ever come to the states. Would love to see and hear you live. That beautiful voice singing intense lyrics = great show!
