photo credit: Kelly Bolter
On April 7, NEWSKI will release his latest full-length album Friend Rock (pre-order). The album follows Newski’s acclaimed album and book It’s Hard to be a Person: defeating anxiety, surviving the world, and having more fun.A revival of 90’s alternative, Wisconsin’s lo-fi alternative geek rock outfit NEWSKI outfit enlists a friend/musical influence on every track for their forthcoming LP. enlists a friend/musical influence on every track for their forthcoming LP. From veterans like Matthew Caws (Nada Surf), Brian Vander Ark (the Verve Pipe), Ryan Miller (Guster), Miles Nielsen, and Scott Terry (Red Wanting Blue) to overseas acts like H Burns (France), The Secret Beach (Canada) and The Shabs (South Africa), NEWSKI compiles an internationally collaborative album from his own tiny house in Wisconsin.
The durable three-piece will hit American, European and South African highways for a 100 date touring year behind the new LP. Featuring Steve “Mr Bicep” Vorass on drums, Sean “Tubs” Anderson on 4-string & Brett Newski on guitars and vocals. All upcoming shows are listed below.
Today NEWSKI is sharing “Chemicals” the first single be released from Friend Rock. The track and its accompanying video debuted today and Flood Magazine and the song will be on all streaming platforms this Friday for any playlist shares.NEWSKI says, “This song enlists one of my biggest musical influences, Matthew Caws of Nada Surf for call-and-answer lead vocals. ‘Chemicals’ is a hard-driving indie-pop smasher that illuminates how love can be the strongest vice.”
The VHS style video directed by Ben Spatol shows the band time-travels us into the past, punching Hitler, partying at Woodstock, join the band Queen, and getting tracked by the CIA in the JFK debacle.
NEWSKI says, “We are nothing without our friends.”
“Most of my friends I started with in music have since retired, which makes me feel like the world has turned and left me here. Collaborating with fellow “musician lifers” on this album made me feel less lonely and insane,” explains NEWSKI. “It’s been neat to become pals with musical heroes from childhood.”
Some of the connections on Friend Rock were made during NEWSKI’s podcast “Dirt from the Road,” where guest musicians would have a laugh about their worst moments on the road.
Social science research shows community and friendship are consistent common denominators in the happiest countries in the world. Belonging to the right tribe is a catalyst to health and longevity. Friend Rock is an ode to the power of community.
A good friend is hard to find. So when you find those rare gems, you gotta keep them in your life.
NEWSKI has played with Pixies, Violent Femmes, Courtney Barnett, Gin Blossoms, Manchester Orchestra, Better than Ezra, Barenaked Ladies, & Nada Surf and has been featured in Rolling Stone, NPR, American Songwriter, SiriusXM, Boston Globe, NBC, Billboard and SPIN.
NEWSKI Tour Dates
03.29 – YPSILANTI, MI @ Ziggys
03.30 – HAMILTON, ON @ Mill’s Hardware
01.31 – TORONTO, ON @ Horseshoe Tavern
04.01 – ELORA, ON @ Elora Brewing Co
04.02 – BARRIE, ON @ Queens Hotel
04.06 – STEVEN’S POINT, WI @ UWSP Dreyfus Center
04.07 – MILWAUKEE, WI @ Anodyne Walkers Point
04.08 – MANITOWOC, WI @ Sabbatical Brewing
04.12 – CHICAGO, IL @ Golden Dagger
04.13 – ST PAUL, MN @ Turf Club
04.14 – APPLETON, WI @ Appleton Beer Factory
04.21 – COLUMBUS, OH @ Rambling House Series
04.22 – YOUNGSTOWN, OH @ Westside Bowl
04.23 – PHILADELPHIA, PA @ Krobath series
04.26 – NEW YORK, NY @ Bowery Electric
04.28 – WASHINGTON DC @ Pearl St Warehouse
04.30 – RICHMOND, VA @ Hardywood Brewing
05.03 – ORLANDO, FL @ Will’s Pub
05.04 – ST AUGUSTINE @ Sarbez
05.05 – WEST DESTIN, FL @ Rock by the Sea Fest
05.06 – WEST DESTIN, FL @ Rock by the Sea Fest
05.20 – HAVANA, IL @ Havana Songwriters Fest (solo)
05.23 – SEATTLE, WA @ Fun House
05.24 – BEND, OR @ Old St Francis School
05.25 – PORTLAND, OR @ The White Eagle
05.26-27 – PORT ANGELES, WA @ JFFA Festival
Friend Rock Track List
1. Freak Flag Fly (feat Magic Charles
2. Chemicals (feat Matthew Caws of Nada Surf)
3. Nevermind, Not Nirvana
4. Only Macaulay Culkin Can Save Us Now (feat Scott Terry of Red Wanting Blue)
5. If We’re Gonna Breakup, Let’s Make it Take Forever (feat Miles Nielsen
6. Too Much Reality (feat H Burns)
7. Why Even Bother (feat Brian Vander Ark of The Verve Pipe
8. Airplane (feat Ryan Miller of Guster)
9. Flake Town FOMO is Crushing My Soul (feat the Shabs)
10. Nevermind, Not Nirvana (feat The Secret Beach)
Best ways to support NEWSKI:
1) Join Patreon
2) Grab something from the merch store
3) Follow, save and share the songs via Spotify
