Biography

An expatriate New Zealander of Irish heritage currently living in Germany, 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. Unperturbed by this Brosnan continued to experiment in relative isolation 10,000 miles from Nashville he developed his unique style containing such diverse influences; from rock to folk, from blues to Celtic to country.

However with the recent re-emergence of interest worldwide in Roots/Americana, containing exactly such influences, this anachronism is quickly being addressed and for the last three 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.

A stunning yet understated guitarist, Brosnan plays superb lines that perfectly support his emotive voice. His slide guitar playing is also considered a highlight with positive comparisons often drawn with slide gurus Ry Cooder and Sonny Landreth.

From solo performer to full bandleader Brosnan has journeyed throughout the UK, Asia, Continental Europe and NZ; from small French cafés to London’s best-known clubs, from smoky Irish bars to German 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 almost two decades has forged his live performance into one of the strongest shows on the road anywhere, any time.

With this latest release Beneath Southland Skies, Brosnan returns to the full band format and his signature slide guitar sound supporting his strong and emotive vocals.

That he continues to thrive and expand as a songwriter, storyteller and singer is clear as Beneath Southland Skies brings his eye for lyrical detail and emotive delivery together with a newfound intimacy.

Assembling a small but crack band, Brosnan set out with a mission to capture the most honest and heartfelt performances they could find. Recording with minimal overdubs resulted in something special being revealed - the heart of the songs.

From the gritty, real-life details of “Another Song for the Road” to the dark poetry of "Be With You", and “Never Thought I'd Cry” to rockers such as the opening “Time to Settle Down” or “Quiet Desperation”, this group of songs stands as a testament to artistic self-revelation.

Beneath Southland Skies was recorded in Brosnan’s own studio in Germany and mixed in NZ at Matrix Production Studios. It received seven nominations in the 2007 German Rock and Pop Music Awards and won in the following categories:

- Best Country Song
- Best Folk-Rock Singer
- Best Folk-Rock Band
- Studio Production of the Year

And in 2006 Brosnan also won awards for:

- Best Male R & B Vocalist
- Best Male Folk-Rock Vocalist
- Best Country Vocalist

Highly personal and fiercely honest in its delivery, Beneath Southland Skies is a brave new chapter in an unfolding story.