Michael Rosenberg aka Passenger & Laurenz V. Singing Gruner Veltliner

English folk singer Michael Rosenberg is better known by his stage name Passenger. He was born May 17, 1984 in Brighton and Hove, East Sussex, England to an English mother and an American father. He learned classical guitar as a child and began writing songs at the age of 14, which resulted in his not excelling in school, since all his free time was devoted to music. He left school at 16 to pursue a career in music, beginning as a busker in England and later Australia.

Along with Andrew Phillips, he co-founded the musical group Passenger in 2003. Their one and only album, Wicked Man’s Rest, was released in 2007 featuring songs written mostly by Rosenberg. When the band broke up in 2009, Rosenberg kept the stage name Passenger and took to developing his solo career, beginning again as a busker.

One of his close friends growing up was Ed Sheeran and in 2012 he began opening for him on his tours around the UK. He continued touring with Sheeran and the John Butler Trio for several months. He followed Sheeran on his 2012 U.S. tour that eventually crossed the Atlantic, ending in Paris.

His album, Little Lights, included the song, Let Her Go, which has become a huge hit for him. Much of his music is filled with lyrics about pain and lost love. In fact, he introduces his concerts by telling the audience that if they came expecting to leave happy, they would be disappointed. He’s an excellent guitarist and his song writing is superb. Hope you enjoy him.

Let her go: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBumgq5yVrA

Hearts on fire: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBqqlW6-99M

Whispers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9ZlADL1TqM

Holes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW7WH2j4Y3o

Neue Music concert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ip6d8Ic3GY

Pinkpop concert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRrgWOCEDsI

One of my favorite white wines for sipping is a Gruner Veltliner, the wine for which Austria is known. They are refreshing and reasonably priced wines that compliment a variety of foods. The 2011 Laurenz V. Singing Gruner Veltliner ($13.00) is an excellent example. It’s pale yellow-green in the glass with light, flowery notes of green apples, lemons, limes, and peaches of the nose. The taste follows the nose with a touch of fizziness and good minerality, giving it a lively mouthfeel. The finish is crisp and bursting with citrus. It’s fun wine and a great choice for balancing the darkness of Passenger’s songs with a bit of sunshine.

Cheers!