NEWSKI – Friend Rock

By starrymag | April 17, 2023

By: Dianca Yssel

 

 

Q) Your sound has been compared to Weezer, REM, The Hives, The Pixies, and The Violent Femmes. How would you describe your sound and who are some of your musical influences?

A) I make up genres for us: Dork Rock, SMash Pop, Alternative Power Fun

Existing genres I love: Jangle Pop, Permanent Wave, Midwest Emo, Geek Rock, Lo Fi Alternative

Q) Congratulations on your single “Chemicals” from your upcoming album, which features Matthew Caws of Nada Surf. The song explores how love can be our strongest vice. Talk a bit about the story behind the song.

A) Thanks friend. It’s about how love can make you lose your god damn mind. Sometimes in a good way, but sometimes not. Sometimes it inspires you to new heights and fresh magic, but other times it skews your perspective the same way nine beers does.

Q) The music video for “Chemicals” shows you traveling into the past to key historical events relating to war, sports and politics. Why did you choose this particular backdrop for the music video? How does it relate to the message of “Chemicals?”

A) My pal Ben is a VHS video genius, and he also loves Nada Surf, so we made the video in two days at the Holiday Motel in Door County WI.

Q) What is your creative process when making new music? Do you need lyrics before adding music?

A) I got stuck writing all the music first. After a while you need to blow up your process. Try things upside down. If you always write lyrics first, write the music first, or vice versa.

Q) Your upcoming full length album Friend Rock enlists a friend/musical influence on every single track. What inspired this unique collaboration idea? How did you select these particular artists to collaborate with?

A) They were pals I met through the Dirt from the Road podcast or just through correspondence with their management over the years.

Q) What themes will you be exploring with Friend Rock?

A) How we must lose before we gain. Why FOMO is a useless disease. How everyone is a weirdo deep down. If we’re gonna breakup, let’s make it take forever.

Q) You will be doing a 100-date tour through America, Europe and South Africa for your new album, starting at the end of March. Is there a location you are particularly looking forward to playing?

A) Johannesburg, South Africa

Q) What other artists would you like to collaborate with in future?

A) Frank Turner, Charles Barkey, Shaq, Norm MacDonald

Q) You also have your own podcast, Dirt from the Road, in which you talk to guest musicians about some of their worst moments while traveling. What is a particularly interesting story you can share from your own travels?

A) A thug tried to break into our cabin on a SleeperCar to Johannesburg, South Africa. That was spooky. It was 3am. I picked up a banjo in case I needed to smack a jabroni.

Q) Dirt from the Road also tackles how artists and/or travelers can maintain good mental health while on the road. What are some tips you would offer for those traveling and struggling with their mental health?

A) If you are depressed, either get on the road or get off the road.

Q) Besides making music and podcasting, you are also a talented illustrator and writer. Your book It’s Hard to be a Person: Defeating Anxiety, Surviving the World, and Having More Fun blends humor with mental anxiety struggles. How important do you think humor is for good mental health?

A) It’s my number one way to combat anxiety and depression. Obviously, you’ve gotta be real and have the hard talks, but comedy is a crucial medicine to heavy subjects.

 

 

 

All Questions Answered By Brett Newski