Brian Lisik and His Brother Craig Reunite for “Why I’m Here” Single [Premiere]

A lot of traditional rock music has fallen out of favour, but Brian Lisik remains a torchbearer for the music he grew up with. You can hear that tradition in his latest single, “Why I’m Here,” a collaboration between him and his brother Craig. This is a special song for the pair, which signifies a renewed musical relationship. Officially set for release on August 16th via Cherokee Queen Records, “Why I’m Here” is the first official collaboration between the Lisik brothers since 2006’s “Happiness Is Boring.” Brian has always been more of a songwriter, while Craig has found his way as a producer. But “Why I’m Here” is an equal contribution with both brothers front and center here.

The song took shape while Brian and Craig were recording some ideas at the latter’s home studio. Brian developed the riff, and then Craig began to develop the track with a drum pattern that seemed to fit. Brian had been working on some lyrics a couple of weeks before, which fit quite well with the musical ideas the two had created. Then Craig created a bass line, and you had nearly a full-fledged song.

Further elaborating on the new single, Brian tells us:

“‘Why I’m Here’ came quite spur of the moment during a recording session with my brother, Craig, at his home studio, and later mixed by Don Dixon (REM, Smithereens, Darius Rucker). The lyric is from the perspective of a man at a crossroads in a relationship, finding himself unable to commit to the familiar or the possible and knowing there is likely no right answer. Musically we tried our best not to rip off The Who too obviously, with mixed results.”

Brian and Craig have no plans to reserve their collaboration for this song. In fact, they have much larger plans in store, with a full-length album already in the works. The plan is to have that album out by the spring of 2025. As a very active and productive musician, Brian has a lot on the go right now. He is currently touring behind his latest release, an EP titled Nu Wreckard he did in collaboration with Hard Legs that came out last fall. Nu Wreckard was recorded very much in the same way that Brian and Craig have been working together. You get in a room, make some noise and see what results come out of it.

Pleased to collaborate again, the Lisik brothers look hopeful and optimistically to the future and the possibilities that lie ahead.

Tour Dates:

08/15 – Akron, OH – Jilly’s Music Room
08/16 – Kent, OH – The Pub (w/Bobcat)
08/17 – Akron, OH – Highland Square PorchRokr Festival
08/23 – Detroit, MI – Trixie’s Bar
08/31 – Buffalo, NY – Mr. Goodbar (w/ Meat Raffle/Rachet Snax)
09/19 – Akron, OH – Rialto Theatre (w/ Jeremy Porter)
09/20 – Dayton, OH – South Park Tavern (w/ Jeremy Porter)
09/21 – Ypsilanti, MI – Ziggy’s (w/ Jeremy Porter)

Brian Lisik “Why I’m Here” single artwork