Beneath Southland Skies - Mike Brosnan - Flying Kiwi Music

By Rob Weir, The Valley Advocate, Massachusetts, USA

Kiwis joke about being "world famous in New Zealand." And Mike Brosnan has four previous albums to his credit that few have heard, which explains why he's moved to Germany, hangs out in Nashville, packages himself as an "Americana/roots" performer and touts comparisons to Ry Cooder. The latter claim is ballyhoo, but Brosnan is worth a serious listen. Beneath Southland Skies showcases his songwriting, and Brosnan's got the Americana formula of love, heartbreak, longing and life on the road down pat. He also writes memorable musical hooks and sings in a voice that's simultaneously pleasing and ever-so-slightly weathered. Brosnan tosses off the occasional crunching chord to keep us off balance, but this is mainly a smart blend of country, pop and folk.

Beneath Southland Skies - Mike Brosnan – Flying Kiwi Records

By Bastian Streitberger, SellFish Magazine, Germany, January 2006

Mike Brosnan's story is not a special one. Sadly. And it is a story that should make every lover of authentic handcrafted music think long and hard, especially as it is still occurring too often in today's music business.

The man from New Zealand has in recent years released one album after the other, as a bandleader or as a solo artist – and relatively few people benefited from his art. Brosnan has everything it takes to boost listeners on this side of the northern sea with an emotional fix.

"Beneath Southland Skies" is a wonderful work of strong, melancholic musical ideas, and with a comfortably laid-back sound. Here the gentleman with the Kojak-style haircut is using every treasure and recipe of the handmade art of songwriting: Acoustic and slide guitar, harmonica and piano.

The warm songs take a deep look into the soul and touch it, decomposing the omnipresent grief by using simple but touching songwriting ideas and emphatic guitar play. It's clear why often, and rightfully, parallels to the legendary Ry Cooder are drawn.

Brosnan moves in his own blend of rock, folk, country and blues, omitting any unnecessary flourishes. In a world of his own, and yet at the same time in today's rediscovery of roots music; in today's sucked out old style country music genre; and the remorseless overdoing of the singer/songwriter myth.

On his island Mike Brosnan probably won't care too much about all this as long as the rest of the world takes notice of his music. And there is so much one might miss: The heart-melting "Be With You," the heartbreaking harmonica in "Dave Said" or the sorrowful "Never Thought I'd Cry."

And that's just the way it is: Until now I (and anyone else who doesn't feel like listening to this album) couldn't have imagined how much I would have missed not being able to hear the dozen songs on "Beneath Southland Skies."

Beneath Southland Skies - Mike Brosnan – Flying Kiwi Records

"One Take Magazine" Germany, January 2006

Mike is a New Zealander of Irish heritage and lives in Germany. He's "lived the life," seen much, and experienced life's swings and roundabouts. And he probably has a rocking chair somewhere, from which he fires his songs out into a world that doesn't really care too much about them!

And probably more than one reader, when seeing the words "Rock and Folk," "Blues and Country" all together describing his music, will not care too much either!

Because here in Germany it smacks strongly of those "posers" who give, without being asked, stupid tips in guitar shops, and play music for drunken parties in beer tents at town festivals...

Mike Brosnan on the other hand is totally authentic.

His vocal delivery reminds me strongly of John Hiatt. And with his bruised worldliness his songs would fit perfectly on Hiatt's "Walk On" album.

These are - please understand me correctly - not bad comparisons, for they refer to the narrow acceptable path through the ever-present swamp of kitsch and greasiness.

"Beneath Southland Skies" has good songs, is intimate at the right places and is exhilarated in others, and never drowns in emotionalism.

And thankfully one can merely sense Mike's Irish roots, possibly because the alcohol-drenched drinker's soul presents itself purified.

"HEY! I've got a story to tell boy. Where's that rocking chair. Sit down, and listen to what I say, dammit!"

Beneath Southland Skies - Mike Brosnan – Flying Kiwi Records

By Michael Hinz, Alternative Nation, Germany, January 2006

He journeyed out to conquer the World with his music. And what better way than to dedicate himself to his favourite pastime of touring through the world's clubs, bars and concert halls?

The ex-pat New Zealander, who for the last few years has been settled here in Germany, has found time amongst his busy tour schedule to arrange and record his new CD.

With "Beneath Southland Skies" Brosnan remains as we know him: rootsy, honest and a storyteller who is able to use his unembellished mixture of folk Blues, Country and Rock to achieve his musical needs.

He is ably supported by musicians from his new homeland, incl. Recky Reck (Guitar, backing vocals), Peter Treusch (Drums) Christian Spohn (Bass) Marc Breitfelder (Harmonica) and Georg Schroeter (Piano)

"Beneath Southland Skies" is an album for followers of great songs, slide guitar, and quiet unpretentious music.

Beneath Southland Skies - Mike Brosnan – Flying Kiwi Records

Reviewed in Unicum, Germany, January 2006

Now that's what I call cosmopolitan: Mike Brosnan is a New Zealander with Irish roots who lives now in Germany.

In his songs he mixes American folk with Calexico influences; brings Celtic elements together with Country, Rock and Blues, and weaves together a well-considered structure from all that which western music culture has to offer.

And the fact that, in spite of countless concerts all around the globe he still had time to produce this album is deserving of respect, and even more so for his soulful performance as Singer-Songwriter and his superb guitar playing throughout.

Beneath Southland Skies - Mike Brosnan – Flying Kiwi Records

German review in CNET, January 2006

Mike Brosnan does not only share his name with Pierce Brosnan but he has Irish roots as well. Apart from this they have nothing in common. Mike Brosnan is a New Zealander and a guitar player based in Germany, moving in the genre of traditional guitar music, inspired by Ry Cooder and south coast rock music.

Handmade songs and straight acoustic statements with a timeless and ever valid '68-rock appeal are Brosnan's strength and trademark. Blues, folk and rock and as well the Celtic sounds of his ancestors are his musical motor. A simple, very honest and un-blurred view of the world and here too such songs and lyrics are his capital.

Brosnan has a reputation as a splendid guitar player who, since eons ago has played more than 200 concerts a year, appearing in little clubs and cafés the world over, giving enjoyable evenings to those who love acoustic music made with steel strings and bottleneck. One has to like this sound of homemade music and to be honest not everybody does. Depending on the listener's mood, Brosnan has the ability to make time stand still with his special kind of music.

Brosnan's songs have a self -sufficient strength which attracts fans of other musical genres as well. Ballads for example, like the endlessly sad "Be with you", which beautifully emphasises Brosnan's baritone, the acoustic "Long gone" or the humorous country-folk song "Dave said…" Home cooking can taste wonderful!