With this latest release Mike Brosnan continues to thrive and develop as a songwriter, storyteller and singer, and demonstrates clearly why his is regarded as New Zealand's leading RootsRock/Americana artist. Recorded mainly live in the studio with a crack, guitar-heavy band, and featuring Brosnan's searing slide guitar throughout, Beneath Southland Skies heralds his welcome return to the full band format, and brings Brosnan's sharp eye for lyrical detail, his subtle use of humor, and his emotive vocal delivery together with a newfound intimacy. It received five nominations in last years German Rock and Pop Music Awards, and Brosnan also won awards for: Best Male R & B Vocalist, Best Male Folk-Rock Vocalist and Best Country Vocalist. Highly personal and fiercely honest in its delivery, BeneathSouthland Skies is a brave new chapter in an unfolding story.
An expatriate New Zealander currently based in Europe, Mike Brosnan is a true craftsman of song, a powerful and emotive singer, and a superb guitarist.
Despite extensive international touring, for much of his early career he remained relatively unknown in the wider world. This lack of wider recognition was in all probability due the music industry's inability to "pigeon hole" his music, containing as it does such diverse influences; from rock to folk, from blues to Celtic to country.
With the recent re-emergence of interest worldwide in Roots Music, containing exactly such influences, this anachronism is now quickly being addressed and for the last few years Brosnan has increasingly received the level of recognition he is manifestly due.
An incendiary live show only added to the buzz, but it is the songs – combined with Brosnan’s ability put himself inside the characters body and soul – that leaves the strongest impression. As a songwriter, he is in a class by himself, presenting a level of lyrical honesty and vulnerability seldom found.
From solo performer to full bandleader Brosnan has journeyed throughout the UK, Asia, Continental Europe and NZ; from small cafés to the best-known clubs, from the smoky bars to concert halls His festival appearances include many of Europe and NZ’s most prestigious. And the experience gained playing 200 plus concerts per year for more than a decade has forged his live performance into one of the strongest shows on the road anywhere, any time.
A highly accomplished yet understated guitarist, Brosnan plays lines that perfectly support his powerful baritone. And his slide guitar work is also considered a highlight, with many positive comparisons drawn with Ry Cooder’s best work.
A reviewer attended a Mike Brosnan concert in Germany recently - sceptical of the acclaim surrounding his work - and walked away a believer: "The audience was completely overcome by Brosnan’s emotions... we were into his music body and soul. He clearly believes every word he sings, and so did we..."
As a recent album reviewer wrote: "Do yourself, and the New Zealand music scene a favour by buying this Cd. And then go out and see him live for the full story!"
