Much to the chagrin of young midwestern songwriter Archie Powell, the appeal of genuine, high quality American song craft has apparently fallen by the wayside in recent years. With an emphasis instead placed upon ironic chique, chincey underground appeal, or some forced desire to innovate upon an art form that may have reached its limits of expansion and deconstruction, he can’t help but feel a little out of sorts with the whole situation.

“I’m just not particularly concerned with any of that. I am of the belief that what people really enjoy, what really stands the test of time, are well-written songs that folks can remember two minutes after the damn thing ends and your lunch break is over.”

If the debut release from Archie Powell & The Exports (the “Loose Change EP”) is any indication, it is clear to any listener that these boys are staunch supporters of the aforementioned notion, dispensing with the bullshit and delivering the goods with a suite of smart, punchy compositions that present visions of like-minded elder statesmen such as Tom Petty, Paul Westerberg, and Elvis Costello. This is not an attempt to look cool or cash in on a fad, though it seems as if the world would be a nicer place to live if good songwriting were a hot craze to chase.

These songs sound familiar while retaining their freshness, cool without feeling hip, and personal despite hinging on themes of universal appeal. But don’t take my word for it – listen in, get down, and believe it. This is what people are looking for.

An expert record player player and inexpert bass player who likes music.

Living on four continents in six years, the ever-touring Brett Newski approaches his 1,200th show this fall. After selling 6,000 copies of his debut record out of his suitcase, Newski upgraded his team this year, collaborating with a few of his biggest influences for upcoming LP 'Life Upside Down'. Produced by Hutch Harris of Sub-Pop legends The Thermals and engineered by Beau Sorenson (Death Cab for Cutie, Superchunk, Bob Mould), 'Life Upside Down' is a 28 minute case study in how to make a mighty minimalist record. Recorded to tape at John Vanderslice's Tiny Telephone Studios in Oakland, CA, 'Life' brings raw energy and punk ethos without all the over-production, absurd layering and studio polish of so many records in 2017.

Fellow Milwaukee folk/punkers Violent Femmes have recently taken Newski under their wing, bringing him along for a number of shows in 2016. Femmes founding drummer Victor DeLorenzo describes Newski as "a punkier version of Tom Petty". Newski cites 'Life Upside Down' as "the best thing I've made in life so far" as he prepares to play 200 shows in the first year of its release.

CRUSTY ADVENTURES 

Despite the misfortunes of touring, Newski gained a quick addiction to road life and documenting the shit hitting the fan. Most of his possessions were eventually moved into his Euro tour mobile aptly named “Chuck Ragan The Car,” which served as home for over two months during his 2015 European tour. This bizarre DIY lifestyle led to the birth of a weekly YouTube series, “Crusty Adventures,” exposing the dark underbelly of touring and the strange events that unfold between gigs. In the series, Brett and tour manager, “Danimal,” tell their tales of blackmail in Germany, flaming brake rotors down the Norwegian mountainside, and terrorism in Brussels during the wake of the Paris attacks.

WEIRDEST VENUES IN THE WORLD TOUR

Looking forward, Newski is working on his next album, Land Air Sea Garage, scheduled for release in late 2016 and followed up by another world tour to finish off the year. Aiming for 2017, Brett plans to route the “Weirdest Venues in the World” tour, with gigs all over the world in unconventional spaces like attics, boats, barns, funeral homes, haunted forests, and atheist tool sheds. The Worst of Brett Newski is another ongoing project in the works, featuring 100 mini songs written about the road, on the road.

LIVING IN VIETNAM

While living in Saigon, Vietnam in 2010, Newski landed a job writing music jingles for national television campaigns, most notably a line of tampon ads placed in movie theaters and public establishments across Vietnam. The wild success of these campaigns coined him “The Vagina King of Vietnam” by his creative director. “The King” transitioned to a completely nomadic lifestyle after two years living in Saigon, playing 1000 shows across Europe, South Africa, Asia, Australia and the US. He released In Between Exits in 2011 under his own name before Tiny Victories with his band, The Corruption. Both were recorded across Asia. These releases were followed by American Folk Armageddon in 2014 on Milwaukee’s Good Land Records in the US and Make My Day Records in Europe.

8eat8 Records is the micro-label for Mutts and Mike Maimone.  88 keys on a piano, 8eat8 records.

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