For over twenty years, Bretskii has been a significant figure in the Australian original music scene, contributing to a wide array of genres and acts. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated versatility as a musician, songwriter, and educator. Bretskii’s involvement in the music industry is extensive. He has written, recorded, and toured extensively across Australia, Andorra, England, France, the United States, New Zealand, and four national tours of Spain. His international experience has enriched his musical perspective and honed his skills in diverse musical styles.

He has spent over two decades teaching guitar and songwriting, as well as facilitating band and music workshops for private clients and local and state government bodies. He has taught privately for over 20 years, working with a broad range of students in age and skill. He has run workshops for a variety of councils, primary schools, youth organisations, and Mission Australia. He is currently working on a guitar-focused course with Banksia Beats at the Banksia juvenile detention centre. His commitment to sharing his knowledge and skills with the next generation of musicians is evident in his continued involvement in the music community.

His journey in music began relatively late at the age of twenty, but he quickly immersed himself in the local music scene of the 1990s and early 2000s, performing multiple gigs weekly with various artists and genres. This included forming the legendary live hip hop act Funkola and engaging in session and live work with nationally established acts such as Downsyde and Fdel.

In 2005, Bretskii founded the Sunshine Brothers, Australia’s premier Dub/Reggae/Soul act. The band has toured internationally, performing in Spain, the UK, the US, and New Zealand, and has played hundreds of shows across Australia. A notable highlight of his career with the Sunshine Brothers includes recording at the legendary “House of Soul” Daptone Records in Brooklyn, New York, the studio that helped shape Amy Winehouse’s Grammy-winning sound. Additionally, the band recorded their “Red Alert” album in the mountains above Madrid, Spain, at the studio of renowned Spanish musician Depedro.

In 2014, Bretskii expanded his musical ventures by forming Huge Magnet, a boogie blues/rock band. The group has toured extensively from Exmouth to Darwin, conducted multiple East Coast tours, and completed a national tour of Spain, supporting the legendary Spanish act Sex Museum.

Bretskii’s talents have also made him a sought-after session musician. He has performed with high-profile artists, including live performance supports such as DJ Shadow, RJD2, Kid Cudi, Hilltop Hoods, People Under The Stairs, Z-Trip, Charli 2na, and many more. With the Sunshine Brothers, he has shared the stage with acclaimed acts like Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, Lily Allen, Morcheeba, Mulatu Astatke, The Beastie Boys, Ernest Ranglin, Fat Freddy’s Drop, James Brown, The Cat Empire, Roots Manuva, Salmonella Dub, Budos Band, Charles Bradley & the Extraordinaires, Arrested Development, Xavier Rudd, Antibalas, Cornerstone Roots, Los Coronas, Calexico, Dub is a Weapon, Roni Size, Soul Jazz Sound System, Gomez, and Amp Fiddler. Huge Magnet has also supported notable artists, including Cedric Burnside (2022 Best Blues Grammy), Endless Boogie (NYC), The Murlocs, and Sex Museum (Spain).

He has considerable experience on the other side of the stage, having worked on major festivals such as The Falls Festival, Rock It, Groovin the Moo, On The Brightside, Wave Rock Weekender, and Perth International Arts Festival. In all aspects of music festivals, including production, site builds, promotion, and marketing, working in artist services and tour management, Bretskii has worked with artists such as Sia, The Black Keys, Death Cab for Cutie, Bloc Party, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, The Budos Band, and many more.

Bretskii’s festival appearances are equally impressive, having performed at major events such as Good Vibrations, Soundsplash NZ, the Big Day Out, Woodford Folk Festival (x3), Perth International Arts Festival, Stradbroke Island Vibes Festival, Wave Rock Weekender, WOMADelaide, Adelaide Arts Festival, Perth Fringe Festival, Margaret River Reggae Festival, Reggaetown Festival Cairns, Southern Arts & Soul Festival, and A Corona Island Festival in Spain.

Recently, in 2023-2024, Bretskii has been as busy as ever. He toured Spain and France with the Sunshine Brothers, performed with the Grace Barbé-led all-star reggae band Big Ship, and recorded and performed with Brodie and the Buzzkills. His passion for music and teaching continues to drive his active participation in the industry.

Bretskii’s rich history in music, both as a performer and an educator, makes him a highly respected and influential figure in the music community. His dedication to nurturing new talent ensures that his impact on the music scene will be felt for generations to come.