Brett Newski

Living on four continents in five years, Brett Newski has existed on the fringe of society and avoided the “American Dream” at all costs. His story is no fairy tale. He didn’t get signed to a big label early in his career. He was not endorsed by cool guitar companies or big-time management. At age 25, he took matters into his own hands by quitting all of his part-time jobs and becoming a full-time nomad, posting up in the nooks and crannies of earth and sub-letting rooms in Vietnam, South Africa, Germany and Wisconsin to write songs and recharge between tours. Newski’s sophomore LP “Land, Air, Sea, Garage” was recorded at a surf camp in the Sri Lankan jungle, and at home in Wisconsin. The album is about diving into the world with no safety net and landing on your feet. It’s a smart indie rock n’ roll record with tongue-in-cheek moments that show parallels to Jonathan Richman, Mountain Goats, early Weezer, Frank Turner, & Elliot Smith.Brett Newski is not a “cool” band. In fact, he’s not a band at all. The former McDonalds employee now makes a living driving a shitty car around the world, playing shows from America to South Africa to Europe. With the lifespan of bands growing shorter every year, Newski planned for longevity by setting up a one-man touring band that could be fit in both cozy lil’ venues and raucous festival environments. “My ‘band’ won’t break up until I’m dead,” says Newski.This free event is intended for UW-Madison students, faculty, staff, Wisconsin Union members and their guests. Anyone can become a Union member.