Perry resident and indie rocker Brian Lisik talks new music, Don Dixon
Brian Lisik is a scrappy indie rocker who won't give up.
That's a compliment. The 57-year-old singer-songwriter from Perry Township seemingly is forever on a quest for more songs and more live gigs. A search for a sound that's both old and new.
Finding that balance on his new album, "...presents The Slovak Club," was both haphazard and at least loosely planned.
With several albums to his credit, the Akron native and Northeast Ohio recording artist initially set out only to jam with his brother, Craig Lisik, in a low-fi environment. But the resulting songs have evolved into an inspired new studio effort that will please longtime fans but also offer a twist or two along the way.
Lisik sought to capture the spirit of an impromptu basement free-for-all that grew into seven new tracks. Highlights include the spunky "Why I'm Here," a bouncy, catchy tune with jangly guitar, varied instrumentation and punk rock gumption − all anchored with Lisik's raspy vocals straight from the gut and heart.
Lisik's new material will be featured Nov. 7 in a solo concert and album release event at The Rialto Theatre in Akron, as well as a show Nov. 13 at The Dive Bar in Jackson Township. The new album is also available on various streaming platforms.
"The whole impetus behind this is my brother Craig started playing drums with the band back in early (2024), and it was like, 'Hey, let's get together and jam like the old days,'" Lisik said.
"They were half-written things and musical ideas, and we rolled tape and maybe that's some of the spontaneity," he said. "Once we realized we were working on an album, we went back in some cases and said, 'We can do that better,' but I like the spontaneity − it's like the extra member of the band."
That organic process is evident in songs like the banger, "Pays to Be Paranoid," which kicks off hot and streetwise before taking a melodic interlude and then shifting back into high gear. Prized songs also include the breezy and beautifully ragged, "Romanian Eyes" and the impassioned slower track, "Try To Do." Also showcasing Lisik's softer side is the gem, " The Window."
Excitement gripped the creator's voice as he discussed his new music and why he keeps making albums. As per usual with Lisik, his thoughts alternated between self-deprecating humor and introspective analysis.
"I keep saying maybe I'll retire, and I'm getting pretty long in the tooth," he said with a laugh. "And then I have a bunch of songs happen and I'm like I have to do something with them."
Don Dixon mixed 'The Slovak Club.'
When asked about Don Dixon's involvement with the record, Lisik admitted he wasn't sure if the batch of songs were up to snuff for the acclaimed producer.
After all, Lisik's brother's recording room is more musical sandbox than commercial studio. But that's part of the charm, the seasoned musical artist said.
"Craig's got some gear in his basement, and it works really good apparently because I love the way the record ended up sounding," Lisik said.
Dixon is a Canton-based musician who worked in the studio on R.E.M.'s early albums, as well as producing albums for The Smithereens, Gin Blossoms and Hootie & The Blowfish.
"He's got this great ability to not change the sound of the record you made but just make it sound better," Lisik said. "That's what every guitar maker and amp maker ... says, 'It's your sound but only better' ... but in the case of Don Dixon mixing and producing your record, that's exactly what it is."
Dixon even added a dose of his own musicianship.
"I got the mix back (for one of the songs,) and there's this gorgeous guitar solo on it," Lisik recalled. "And I said, 'Don, what's that?' And he said, 'When I was mixing the song, I grabbed the guitar and threw it on (the album).' And I love it."
Dixon and Lisik are longtime friends.
"Brian has a great voice and writes good, expressive songs," Dixon said. "He's cut from the cloth of a long line of successful Midwest rockers. Everybody is local somewhere. Black Sabbath was four teenagers in a basement in Birmingham. Jennifer Lopez was a 'Fly Girl' from the Bronx.
"But when you don't break out on a national scale, people will put you in a box called 'local,'" Dixon said when asked about the importance of local and regional indie musicians. "I believe there's power in being rooted to a place in a creative way. There's joy in helping create a scene."
Dixon initially wasn't sure how the rough tracks would turn out.
"When (Lisik) told me he wanted me to help him turn some jamming he'd been doing with his brother into a record, I wondered if he'd lost his mind," he said.
"I did some editing and created mixes. It certainly has maintained a sense of chaos but in a charming way that I enjoy."
What's the Slovak connection?
"The Slovak Club" is a fun, quirky name. But it's literal only in terms of the album artwork, not the music.
No accordions and no irreverent, guitar-fueled version of "Who Stole The Kishka."
The album name is meant to be tongue-in-cheek, said Lisik, who also noted he's Slovakian on his dad's side.
"The Slovak Club" became a working title for the album, inspired by the Slovak J Club in Akron.
Lisik fondly recalled the Slovak-emblazoned building from his youth when he lived in Akron's Firestone Park neighborhood. "And the club is just where the Slovak people went to bowl and drink," he said with a laugh.
"I was driving home from my brother's house one night past the building after the (recording) session ... and the sun was going down ... and I thought, 'That'd make a neat picture,' so I just took a picture of it."
Performing live
The stage remains Lisik's happy place.
He plans to book shows across Ohio, as well as in Pennsylvania, New York, Michigan, Kentucky and West Virginia. Lisik's full-time gig is as a freelance writer and journalist for various newspapers and online publications.
"Whether it's a solo show or a duo show or playing in front of a 20-piece orchestra, I don't know, but there's a lot of it that can make me feel like, 'What am I still doing this for?'" Lisik mused with laughter. "Amps are so heavy ... and it's harder to stay awake driving home (after a show). But there's moments the crowd is getting the jokes and really listening to the songs and someone comes up to you after the show and says, 'I really liked that one, and it meant something to me,' and that's why you did it at the end of the day."
Reach Ed at ed.balint@cantonrep.com. Follow on Instagram at ed_balint and TikTok @edwardbalint
If you go
Who − Indie singer-songwriter Brian Lisik of Northeast Ohio, with Rachel Roberts opening
What − Solo concert for the release of Lisik's new album, "...presents The Slovak Club"
Where − The Rialto Theatre, 1000 Kenmore Blvd. in Akron. The show will be in The Rialto Living Room, with limited seating.
When − 5 p.m. Nov. 7. Doors open at 4:30 p.m.
Tickets − $10 presale and $12 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.therialtotheatre.com/. VIP tickets cost $25 and include a choice of T-shirt or the new album on vinyl or CD. Seating is general admission.
Stark County show − Lisik also will be performing Nov. 13 at The Dive Bar, 4627 Whipple Ave. NW. Live music, which includes other artists, starts at 7 p.m.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Perry resident and indie rocker Brian Lisik talks new music, Don Dixon
