The brilliant new Passenger single “Do What You Like” is a tale of unrequited love and regaining control and self respect. Built round a circular, frenetic riff adorned with electronic bleeps over a skittering beat, it is as unpredictable as it is captivating. This leads to a chorus that is at the same time angry and yearning, and reminiscent of “Murmur”-era REM. Here the central character is being strung along by the woman whom he loves but it is unrequited: ‘Cos’ I give you my all, and you give nothing to me.’ There’s a touch of sardonic humour running throughout the song and the true essence of this bittersweet story is summed up as Mike spits its title in the dramatic conclusion to the song “D-D-Do What You Like” In an instant we both sympathise with this down trodden character and witness his realisation of this damaging relationship. It’s also catchy as hell.Brighton-based singer Mike Rosenberg met his songwriting partner, guitar playing arranger and soundtrack composer Andrew Phillips, at a Free Burma Campaign benefit gig in London in 2002, when Mike was a tender 17 years of age.
He had blagged a place in the line up and there, alongside Faithless and Horace Andy, he and Andrew bonded over a mutual love of hip hop and traditional country and folk.
A year later Mike and Andrew’s songwriting partnership was beginning to blossom. They were soon joined by kickboxing bassist Marcus O’Dair, Israeli drummer Alon Cohen and keyboardist Richard Brincklow, who had previously been in a DJ Shadow cover band with Marcus – you read that right – and Passenger came into being.
The debut Passenger album will be released in September 2007.
Passenger will be playing the forthcoming dates and festivals:
Mon 7th May THE KOMEDIA, BRIGHTON ( Supporting Lou Rhodes ) Tue 8th May TELFORD WAREHOUSE, CHESTER ( Supporting Lou Rhodes ) Wed 9th May THE STABLES, MILTON KEYNES ( Supporting Lou Rhodes ) Thu 10th May THE WEDGEWOOD ROOMS,PORTSMOUTH ( Supporting Lou Rhodes ) Fri 11th May THE PHOENIX,EXETER ( Supporting Lou Rhodes ) Sat 12th May THE ZODIAC, OXFORD Tue 15th May THE SUGARMILL STOKE Wed 16th May THE BAR ACADEMY, BIRMINGHAM Thu 17th May THE WATER RATS, LONDON Fri 18th May THE GREAT ESCAPE FESTIVAL, BRIGHTON Thu 31st May THE WATER RATS, LONDON Fri 1st June THE ACADEMY, NEWCASTLE Sat 2nd June THE STUDIO 24,EDINBURGH Sun 3rd June KING TUTS, GLASGOW Mon 4th June THE FIBBERS, YORK Thu 7th June THE WATER RATS, LONDON Fri 8th June THE PHOENIX, EXETER Sat 9th June THE MOLES CLUB, BATH Sun 10th June THE JOINERS, SOUTHAMPTON Sat 16th June THE DRY BAR, MANCHESTER Tues 3rd July PRESSURE POINT, BRIGHTON Wed 4th July THE WATER RATS, LONDON Sat 14th July LATITUDE FESTIVAL Sun 29th July SECRET GARDEN PARTY Fri 3rd Aug LEWES GUITAR FESTIVAL Fri 17th Aug BEAUTIFUL DAYS FESTIVAL Sat 18th Aug V FESTIVAL - STAFFORD Sun 19th Aug V FESTIVAL - CHELMSFORD
The single Do What You Like is released 2 July.