Fiona O'Shea and the Passengers
Sunshine Coast QLD Australia
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FIONA O’SHEA & THE PASSENGERS are from the Sunshine Coast of Queensland, Australia playing a sonic fusion of indie rock, country and blues. Fiona and Mark O’Shea (The Passenger) are the genuine article, both individual and unconventional delivering a gritty feel good vibe topped with lashings of gutsy lead guitar riffs. Fronted by songwriter, Fiona O’Shea on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, and husband Mark O’Shea on lead/slide guitar and backing vocals.
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“Literally living, working and playing together has come with its ups and downs, Fiona says. The creative process hasn’t always been smooth sailing. Things like ego and personal perspective have often created friction. But over the years we have become better at it, learning to turn that negative into a positive, creating a sound that is grittier and edgier. I am passionate about developing as a songwriter and together as musicians. This is our story. Written, played and sung by us. It’s who we are.”
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In 2010 Fiona released debut EP, Rose. Recorded and produced at Pacific International Music, Hervey Bay. With a blend of country, folk and blues, single Restless A Little Reckless received generous airplay gaining a position in the Top 10 AIRIT Charts and Fiona was a finalist in the MUSICOZ Australian Independent Awards as well as going through to the second round of judging for the APRA Professional Development Awards.
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Fiona said, “I’ve had a wide range of musical influences growing up. I remember we would always have music playing on the stereo ranging from Fleetwood Mac, Pink Floyd, Supertramp to Doctor Hook. As a teenager, Cold Chisel was a favourite band of mine, with Jimmy Barnes being the first concert I ever attended.” Mark adds, “Growing up in Mundubbera, Queensland I listened to Johnny Cash and Kenny Rogers. In the 80’s I’d go and see a lot of punk bands playing at the local pubs in Brisbane. My first concert was Midnight Oil and the most recent was Queens of the Stone Age. So together, Fiona and I have a diverse melting pot of influences to draw from.
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Writing songs and performing for no other reason than the need to make music, Fiona O’Shea & The Passengers continue to increase their fan base by playing at festivals (2018 Mitchell Creek Rock and Blues Festival), venues, private events and have been support act for Dirty Rascal (Melbourne) Jerry Speiser – Men At Work, Adam Brand & The Outlaws, and the programmed Showcase at Turn Up (Sunshine Coast Music Industry’s Conference).
