Bryan Bielanski to bring unserious tunes to Wake the Dead
From North Carolina to Hungary, from China to the Czech Republic, Bryan Bielanski has traveled the world in the hopes of making people smile. With his high-energy shows, catchy songs and clever lyrics, Bielanski brings humor and fun to audiences around all over the world.
“By traveling around and doing music, I hope that in some very small way that I may be introducing some positive vibes into the universe,” Bielanski said, “that it might be exactly what somebody who is having some stress or anxiety will need to make it through their day.”
A native of North Carolina, Bielanski credits his music-loving family as his first source of inspiration.
“My earliest memories in life are from my crib, watching my parents and my sister listening to rock records,” Bielanski said. “It was a big part of my life growing up.”
Those foundational memories of his parents and older sisters playing vinyls at top volume — along with a deep appreciation of the Beatles White Album — nudged Bielanski to pick up the guitar. Not long after, Bielanski and some friends formed a band and toured all over the states together.
“Things kept getting better and better, with shows spreading out from North Carolina,” Bielanski said. “The bandmates were not so into the idea of being nomadic travelers as I was, but here I am, years later, still doing it, still having a great time.”
Bielanski fully embraced the bard’s life, taking his songs and upbeat energy with him everywhere he goes. Musically, Bielanski draws from a lifelong love of golden age rock and folk music — Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry and The Beatles — with a few unexpected twists thrown in to keep it exciting.
“I love the Violent Femmes,” Bielanski said. “They’re definitely a big influence.
Growing up in North Carolina, we claimed REM because they were close by in Athens. But I also listen to classical, EDM, hip hop, rock and roll.”
If his skillful guitar is the sturdy backbone of Bielanski’s sound, then the heart of it is his lyrics. Bielanski mixes contemporary storytelling with pop culture references, like Star Wars and
Life is a precious gift, and we should spend as much of it having a good time as we can.
Bryan Bielanski, Singer/ song writer Super Mario Brothers, things that harken back to our collective childhoods when life at least seemed simpler and a lot more fun. One of his songs, Rock the Library USA, is not only a fan favorite, but one of Bielanski’s favorites as well. “I can’t tell you how many librarians have come up and said, ‘Thanks for calling attention to us librarians,’” Bielanski said. “I love that this is a little subvert, spreading the message about literacy.”
On top of the wit and pop culture, Bielanski writes songs that feel genuine, that are about real life and his experiences on the road.
“Traveling… is a never-ending inspiration for songwriting,” Bielanski said. “I’m lucky to have that kind of wellspring for that kind of writing.”
Currently on the Canadian leg of his fall tour, Bielanski will continue down from New Brunswick to the western United States, from New Mexico back down to Amarillo and then San Antonio, and then San Marcos — to Wake the Dead on Nov. 16 at 6 p.m.
“Those are the kinds of places I like to play,” Bielanski said. “The neighborhood places where everybody knows each other.”
On his tours around the world, Bielanski has had gigs in a lot of different kinds of places, from hospitals to nursing homes to coffee shops to detention facilities and to schools.
“It’s music for people 9 to 90,” Bielanski said. “And after hearing a few of my songs, their mood has lightened… My ideal listener is anybody who wants to remember that life is a precious gift, and we should spend as much of it having a good time as we can.”
See Bryan Bielanski at Wake the Dead Coffeehouse on Saturday, Nov. 16 starting at 6 p.m. To support the artist and listen to his music, find him online at bryanssuperhappyfuntime. com or on Facebook at facebook.com/bryanssuperhappyfuntime, Twitter at x.com/ angwish, Instagram at instagram. com/bryanbielanski and on SoundCloud at soundcloud. com/bryanssuperhappyfuntime.
