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Here are words often used
by listeners to describe a BRIAN CUTEAN (QTN) concert: engaging,
relevant, ear-reverent, unpretentious, clever, gypsy, mystical,
playfully wise, magnetic, inspiring, interactive, imaginative,
hilarious, timeless, encouraging, synesthetic, spontaneous, intuitive,
reflective, impulsive, inclusive, stream of consciousness and
habit forming (but safe if taken as directed) with a wry sense
of humour and a whole wheat love of irony. The Oregonian, Oregon's
statewide daily, writes: "With his guitar and high tenor,
Cutean's songs are playful, energetic and honest." The Austin
American Statesman says: "Brian Cutean's repertoire of original
songs and lyrics are introspective, satirical, delightfully absurd
and always acoustically gentle to the ears..."
Born and grown in the Chicago
area absorbing late night transistor radio, urban blues and the
acoustic folk scene of the fifties, late sixties and early seventies.
Seasoned by 13 years in Austin and Central Texas and then steeped
for 10+ years in the Pacific Northwest. Brian's "Squint-Yer-Ears
Music" is incisive with colourful lyrics of wild poetry
and wordplay, engaging stories and "wordless guitar"
instrumentals.His lyrical rhythms celebrate mental environs as
well as environmentals.Whether he's in performance with his acoustic
guitars and harmonica, in combo with upright bass and violin,
mandolin or just his clear unaccompanied voice, there is a contagious
energy drawing listeners in as he careens from the ridiculous
to the sublime in the course of a single set. |
QTN's award-winning songs
and antics have been honoured with recognition repeatedly by
the internationally acclaimed Kerrville Folk Festival's "New
Folk Concerts" three times where he has been a campfire
favourite since 1980. He has appeared at the Oregon Country Fair
every year since 1988 on the Shady Grove, Blue Moon, Community
Village and Energy Park stages and coffeehouses, festivals,schools
and celebrations all over the country. Brian has consistently
placed songs in national song searches like the Columbia Music
Fest in Spokane, the Mesquite Folk Fest in Dallas, twice in the
Austin Music Umbrella Awards and Best Unsigned Band search sponsored
by Musician Magazine.
LUBRICATING THE SPECIES, was
released on vinyl in 1988 and was welcomed enthusiastically with
national and international airplay. In 1996, QTN released IS
AS DOES IS, a bare-bones live-in-the-studio guitar, voice and
harmonica extravaganza that continues to receive high acclaim.1999
saw the release of PARAKEETFISHHEAD, a twelve-song song cycle
recorded in Austin and Portland with inspired performances from
Brian and some very talented, well-known friends. HEARTHEARTHEARTH
was unleashed on the world in 2004 to glowing reviews and enthusiasm.
In 2005, LUBRICATING THE SPECIES was remastered from the original
tapes and made into CD in response to popular demand.
Portland's weekly paper, Willamette
Week wrote: "Wandering minstrel Cutean is a nimble guitarist
and an appealing singer whose jaunty folk songs and contemplative
ballads are filled with personal reflection, social commentary
and pure whimsy..." The Grand Rapids Press summed it up
with "... Brian Cutean runs the gamut from activist to seer."
BRIAN CUTEAN maintains an
active performance schedule appearing at listening clubs, colleges,
city park concerts, public libraries, coffeehouses, concerts,
benefits, festivals, schools of all ages, houseconcerts, radio
and television throughout the United States. Brian has also composed
music for soundtracks and documentaries. His annual concerts
cross the continent traveling the Southwest, Midwest and the
West Coast including the Pacific Northwest where he now makes
his home. QTN is available for workshops, children's programs,
interviews, lunchtime concerts and video programs. For more information,
bookings and correspondence please contact:
SQUINT YER EARS PRODUCTIONS |
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