Martin Rossiter

Martin Rossiter (born 15 May 1970) is a Welsh singer,[1] who was lead singer of the British indie band Gene from 1993 until their break-up in 2004.[2] He released a solo album in 2012.[3]

Martin Rossiter
Born (1970-05-15) 15 May 1970
Occupation(s)Singer, educator
Instrument(s)Vocals, keyboards, piano
Years active1994–present
Formerly ofGene
Websitemartinrossiter.bandcamp.com

Career

Though Gene was labelled as a Britpop band, Rossiter was never happy being included in the genre saying "It was played out under the dirty shadow of the union flag which I always found quite distasteful. I never had any desire to represent Great Britain. At the time I said that I regarded myself as European rather than British. I'm a Socialist and I've always felt very uncomfortable with the idea of nationalism because it can be a very dangerous thing."[4] He recorded four albums with the band over the period 1995 to 2001, and performed live until 2004.[5]

In addition to writing and recording as a solo artist, he is also a member of the band Call Me Jolene,[6] who released the four-track May EP in 2013.[7] He works as a music teacher for BIMM,[8] and artist development officer at Access to Music.[9]

In 2011 Rossiter made his solo live debut in Brighton, where he performed new material,[10] which was later released as Live at the Unitarian Church.[11] His debut solo album The Defenestration of St Martin was released 3 December 2012 on the Drop Anchor Music label.[12] He wrote most of the songs on piano over a five-year period and financed the record through crowd-funding.[13] Rossiter embarked on a UK tour in support of the album.[14] It was followed in 2014 by a live album accompanied by a DVD entitled Live at Bush Hall.[15]

On 26 August 2019, Rossiter announced a farewell show with full band, performing a one-off career-closing set spanning all areas of Gene and his solo work. The show was originally scheduled to take place on 13 June 2020 at the Shepherd's Bush Empire. However, the show was repeatedly rescheduled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and eventually took place at the O2 Forum Kentish Town on 20 November 2021, after a one-off warm-up show at Concorde 2 in Brighton on 11 November 2021.

Rossiter came out of retirement to participate in a charity fundraising show for Ukrainian refugees: A Night For Ukraine featured a bill of music acts and comedians, and took place on 22 March 2022 at the Shepherd's Bush Empire.

Personal life

Rossiter is bisexual.[4] He lives in Brighton and has three children.[16]

References
  1. "Martin Rossiter, Wales' Greatest Living Voice – BBC Radio Wales". BBC. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  2. "Biography: Gene". AllMusic. Retrieved 30 January 2011.
  3. "Their Library: Martin Rossiter". Clash Magazine. 30 November 2012. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  4. Wilde, Jon (24 November 2012). "Gene's Martin Rossiter Interviewed: "Pulp And Blur Can F*ck Off To Butlins"". sabotagetimes.com. Archived from the original on 27 April 2019.
  5. "Martin Rossiter – Music Producer / Writer". Irresponsible Recordings. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  6. "Call Me Jolene at The Green Door Store". badbunnybitesback.wordpress.com. 13 March 2012. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  7. "May EP, by Call Me Jolene". Call Me Jolene. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  8. Kendall, James (November 2013). "Brighton Source – Martin Rossiter Interview". brightonsource.co.uk. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  9. "AD4 Martin Rossiter". Retrieved 15 November 2016 – via Vimeo.
  10. "Live at The Unitarian Church, by Martin Rossiter". Martin Rossiter. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  11. "Martin Rossiter 'Live at the Unitarian Church, Brighton' – album review". Louder Than War. 7 May 2013. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  12. David Quantick (23 November 2012). "Martin Rossiter The Defenestration of St. Martin Review". bbc.co.uk/music. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  13. Kinney, Fergal (20 February 2013). "Martin Rossiter Interview by". Louder Than War. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  14. Burrows, Marc (19 November 2012). ""Record Labels are run by deviants. Moral vacuums in mid-priced suits" – DiS meets Martin Rossiter". Drowned in Sound. Archived from the original on 16 November 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  15. "Martin Rossiter – Live at Bush Hall". discogs. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  16. "Martin Rossiter: new single". themouthmagazine.com. 4 October 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
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