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