Indie-rock musician (and my fellow weirdo) Brett Newski has carved out a career for himself in the most DIY way. Starting out with zero connections in the music world, NEWSKI has now played more than 1,500 shows on six different continents, performing alongside bands like Violent Femmes, Nada Surf, Pixies and Japanese Breakfast.
As you can imagine, life on the road can be a lot to take in, and I would guess it gets lonely at times. Lucky for us, Newski has journaled his way through the last 15 years of adventures and is ready to share these stories with us.
In Piss In the Wind: Misadventures of an Indie Troubadour Vol. 1, Newski shares his “crusty adventures” of that nomadic life while traveling throughout Asia, South Africa and America. This new book is storytelling at its best and makes you a part of Newski’s battles with waning mental health, decrepit infrastructure, shady drifters, corrupt concert promoters and shameless criminal enterprises.
I can report that it’s also the PERFECT size to stuff in a stocking, although there’s a fairly limited run to go around at this point. So I wouldn’t wait too long to order one online or — even better — buy it in person and get an autograph while you’re at it! You’ll have your chance this Friday night, Nov. 15, when NEWSKI plays his final Milwaukee show of 2024 at the historic Falcon Bowl Ballroom in Riverwest with support from indie-rockers Social Cig.
Check out my interview with Newski to learn why his Mom is sending him concerning texts, how writing has been a positive force in his life and which part of chicken nuggets you should always eat first.
