Bringin' it Backwards

On this episode of Bringin’ it Backwards, Adam Lisicky sits down with Henry Cox, frontman of Boston Manor, for an honest, no-frills conversation about how a kid from Blackpool, England went from drumming in jazz band and playing school musicals to leading one of modern rock’s most dynamic acts. Henry opens up about his unlikely entry into music—being the kid without a musical family, drawn into the world of drums and early 2000s hip hop via grainy basketball highlight reels. From there, he shares stories of forming Boston Manor, roughing it on early UK tours, and that surreal moment when a record deal with Pure Noise Records opened the door to international touring—including America’s legendary Warped Tour. Henry dives deep into the making of Boston Manor’s new album, explaining the personal growth (and even parenthood) that shaped the ambitious double album, with themes that travel from emotional darkness into the hope of new beginnings. He also offers invaluable advice for aspiring artists—stressing the importance of taking time to find your sound, not rushing to release music for the sake of the internet, and focusing on what truly moves you. You’ll hear why Boston Manor’s music has evolved from teenage experiments to arena-ready anthems and why authenticity, experimentation, and resilience have been at the heart of Henry’s journey. If you’re looking for an honest peek behind the scenes of a band making it work—triumphs, setbacks, and all—this episode’s for you. So grab your headphones, hit subscribe, and hear what it really means to bring it backwards with Boston Manor’s Henry Cox.

On this episode of Bringin’ It Backwards, Adam and Tera Lisicky sit down with Jake from In Hearts Wake for a raw, insightful look at his unusual journey from the creative beaches of Byron Bay to the international heavy music scene. Jake opens up about growing up surrounded by artists—his mom, a tarot card reader; his “bonus dad,” a hardcore punk frontman—and how the wild energy of side-stage moments at legendary shows set him on the path to forming In Hearts Wake, his first and only band. From recording DIY demos for school art projects to traveling across the globe to capture their signature sound, Jake shares how In Hearts Wake found early recognition, carved out a unique identity around powerful themes like environmentalism, and pushed boundaries with cryptic album concepts inspired by tarot cards. He explains how their newest release completes a 12-year journey, finishing what they started as teenagers by turning the remaining tarot archetypes into thunderous new songs. Jake also talks candidly about the band’s evolution, the heartbreak and hope of longtime bassist Kyle’s upcoming departure, and what it really takes to keep a creative partnership together for over a decade. Along the way, you’ll hear about secret album easter eggs, epic on-stage energy, and the power of making sure your art comes from a real place. If you’re an aspiring artist, a fan of heartfelt heavy music, or just love personal stories about forging your own path, don’t miss this episode. Listen now to get inspired, and make sure to subscribe to Bringin’ It Backwards for more backstage access to your favorite artists’ real stories.

Aaron Fink is back—and he's bringing a fresh chapter to his already multi-faceted music journey. On this episode of Bringin’ It Backwards, Adam and Tera Lisicky catch up with Aaron over Zoom in his third appearance on the podcast. This time, it's all about his new solo album, The Invisible Line, and the creative process behind it. Aaron pulls back the curtain on what it's really like to juggle projects—from his time with Breaking Benjamin, to reuniting with Lifer, recording with Earshot, and finding his artistic voice as a solo act. He dives into the realities of recording (including why he does almost everything himself), what inspires his songwriting, and how the industry has changed for independent artists. Plus, Aaron gets candid about the struggles of touring these days, the personal shifts that come with growing older, and why it’s more important than ever to create for the love of the music. If you’re an aspiring musician trying to make sense of how to thrive in today’s music world, or just a fan of Aaron’s work across his bands and solo material, this episode is packed with honest, hard-earned insight. Make sure you listen to the full interview and subscribe to Bringin’ It Backwards for more stories straight from the artists themselves.

On this episode of Bringin' It Backwards, Adam and Tera Lisicky sit down with rising R&B artist Twin Hector for a candid, inspiring conversation about his journey from Dayton, Ohio to Atlanta—and into the national spotlight. Twin Hector opens up about his lifelong connection to music, sharing how he and his twin brother wrote their first school anthem as kids, which led to early recognition and support from teachers and classmates. From those grassroots beginnings, Twin and his brother took social media by storm in high school, eventually notching a platinum record and hundreds of millions of streams. But success wasn’t without setbacks: Twin discusses weathering bad business deals, transitioning into a solo career, and how he’s finding joy—and that signature ‘90s R&B vibe—on his latest single “I Like It.” He reflects on staying true to his roots, keeping a positive mindset through adversity, and what it really takes to keep pushing forward in the music industry. Plus, Twin Hector drops an exclusive about his surprise new album (you heard it here first!) and shares heartfelt advice for aspiring artists about perseverance, authenticity, and trusting your own path—no matter what. You’ll walk away from this episode reminded why you fell in love with music in the first place. Listen in for all the stories behind the headlines, and don’t forget to subscribe to Bringin’ It Backwards wherever you get your podcasts!

On this episode of Bringin’ It Backwards, hosts Adam and Tera Lisicky sit down with the rising Greek-American pop sensation Evangelia for an inspiring and heartfelt conversation straight from the Greek islands. Born in New Jersey but raised between the US and Crete, Evangelia shares how a childhood spent split between two worlds—and summers on her grandmother’s farm—ignited her love for music and culture. She opens up about her journey from teaching special education in New Jersey to making the full leap into music after an unexpected layoff. Evangelia gives us a front-row seat to her transition from open mic nights and basement blues bands in the States to crafting her signature blend of dancey pop with Greek folk influences—a sound built alongside her partner and collaborator, Jay Stolar. She reveals the ups and downs of trying to fuse her roots into mainstream pop, the industry pushback she faced, and how staying authentic finally brought her major breakthroughs, including the chart-topping “Fotiá” (and an unforgettable duet with Greek pop royalty Eleni Foureira). Recorded in the middle of her sun-soaked Greek tour, you’ll hear Evangelia’s behind-the-scenes stories about writing her summer jam “Mykonos” (inspired by epic all-night island parties), her viral moments, and the sometimes bumpy but beautiful road back to embracing her heritage. If you’re an aspiring artist, you won’t want to miss her candid advice on pushing past self-doubt, owning your uniqueness, and just getting your music out there—even when it feels scary. Hit follow, subscribe to Bringin’ It Backwards, and get ready for a conversation that’s equal parts heart, hustle, and Greek sunshine.

On this episode of Bringin' It Backwards, Adam and Tera Lisicky sit down with Ivy and Mabel, the sister duo behind the stunning folk act Charm of Finches. Hailing from the heart of Melbourne, Australia, these two share what it was like growing up in a musical family—complete with a mom who led choirs and once performed electronic music standing on her head! From busking as kids outside their dad’s veggie shop to recording their very first EP at just 12 and 14, and then emerging as one of Australia’s most beloved new folk acts, Ivy and Mabel walk us through their remarkable journey. The sisters chat about carving their own independent path, capturing inspiration during long tours abroad, and the fairytale origins of their latest album’s title—Marlinchen in the Snow. They reflect on how winning the Best Folk Album at the Australian Folk Music Awards changed things, offer real talk about sibling dynamics in music, and open up about learning the DIY side of the industry, from recording at home to editing their own videos. Plus, they’ve got some solid advice for aspiring artists about staying honest in your craft and doing it yourself wherever you can. Stick around to hear candid stories about life on the road, sisterhood, and why creative vulnerability matters more than ever. Whether you’re gunning for your own spot in the spotlight or just want a peek into the making of today’s rising indie stars, you don’t want to miss this conversation with Charm of Finches. Listen and subscribe to Bringin' It Backwards wherever you get your podcasts!

On this episode of Bringin’ It Backwards, Adam and Tera Lisicky sit down with fast-rising singer-songwriter Avery Lynch for an open and honest conversation about her remarkable journey from a small town in Pennsylvania to the heart of LA’s music scene. Avery opens up about how her musical gift was discovered at just five years old, when she could play songs by ear on her childhood keyboard, and how those early talents eventually led her to the Berklee College of Music—and some unconventional ways of making the most out of her college experience. Avery reveals how hitting “post” on a TikTok clip changed everything, inviting her first brush with virality, a fiercely loyal fanbase, and the wild ride of refreshing the page as followers and views skyrocketed. She explains the inspiration behind her beloved "as Written" projects, sharing why stripping back her songs to their rawest, original form is a gift back to her fans and a return to her creative roots. The interview takes us behind the scenes of Avery’s creative process, how she built an intensely dedicated fan community using Instagram’s Close Friends feature, the realities of navigating an unpredictable music industry, and the importance of sticking with your craft even when the algorithms—and the odds—shift against you. If you’re an aspiring artist, this episode is packed with the kind of heartfelt, hard-won advice that only comes from someone who’s lived through the highs and lows of finding your voice in today’s unpredictable digital music landscape. Hit play, and don’t forget to subscribe to Bringin’ It Backwards for more interviews where musicians share the stories behind their success.

What does it take to grow up loving music in a non-musical household—and still carve your way onto one of heavy music’s most respected labels? On this episode of Bringin’ It Backwards, Adam and Tera Lisicky sit down with Joe from Lightworker for a no-holds-barred conversation about humble roots in Redwood City, navigating sketchy Bay Area venues as a teenager, and learning to channel creative urges through violin and guitar—even if it meant skipping lunch to buy new CDs. Joe opens up about his evolution from writing songs alone to forming Lightworker, grinding through DIY releases, and the pivotal moment when Solid State Records offered them a deal just as they were wrapping up their debut album. We talk about the pressure and privilege of working with heavy-hitting producers like Daniel Gailey (Fit For A King, Phinehas) and Beau Burchell (Saosin) for two albums in a row, and how the creative process—marked by pandemic writer’s block and late-night artistic breakthroughs—helped shape Lightworker’s heavier, most personal record to date, How the Beautiful Decay. Whether you’re an aspiring artist or just love a good behind-the-scenes story, this episode offers real talk about perseverance, DIY hustle, and what it means to “do the work” in an ever-changing music industry. Hit play to hear Joe’s journey from classical music as a kid to fronting one of the Bay Area’s fiercest heavy bands—and don’t forget to subscribe, follow, and join the Bringin’ It Backwards community for more conversations you won’t hear anywhere else.

What happens when an artist steps away from their craft, finds themselves again, and returns with a renewed sense of joy and creative purpose? On this episode of Bringin’ It Backwards, host Adam Lisicky reconnects with the incomparable Gavin Turek, just weeks after the release of her brand-new album, Diva of the People. It’s been three years since Gavin first joined the show to talk about her debut album, Madam Gold—a time shaped by struggle, transformation, and the challenges of releasing music during the pandemic. In this candid conversation, Gavin shares how that era left her exhausted and questioning her path, leading her to take a much-needed break, travel abroad, and rediscover her passion for music on her own terms. We dig into her journey growing up in LA surrounded by art, the all-in hustle of commuting to an arts high school, and how early MySpace connections shaped her career. Gavin opens up about fully trusting her vision, the power of working with new collaborators, and why Diva of the People marks both a return to her dance-focused roots and a reclaiming of the joy that first drew her to music. If you’ve ever wondered how to keep your creative fire burning—especially through burnout, setbacks, and the pressure to conform—this episode is for you. Don’t miss Gavin’s inspiring advice for aspiring artists, her behind-the-scenes look at the indie album process, and her honest reflections on what it takes to sound exactly the way you hear yourself in your mind. Listen now, subscribe, and be sure to follow us at @BringinBackPOD for more stories that bring you closer to the artists and music you love.

On this episode of Bringin’ it Backwards, Sean Ulbs of The Eiffels sits down with Michael Fitzpatrick—better known as Fitz, frontman of the chart-topping band Fitz and the Tantrums. Fitz gets real about his long and winding road through the music industry, from years of rejection and heartbreak to risking it all—both emotionally and financially—on one more shot at his dream. He shares how a vintage organ and a single inspired rehearsal launched the band that would eventually bring us hits like “HandClap,” “The Walker,” and “Out of My League.” Fitz opens up about the creative process behind their latest album Man on the Moon, what it’s like performing new songs for fans after years of making music, and why licensing and syncs were crucial for the band’s rise in a changing industry. The conversation takes a candid turn into the realities of breaking through later in life, the pressures of social media on aspiring artists, and how to build a dedicated fanbase that will stick around long after the viral moment fades. There are stories about tough gigs, major risks, and a Tom Petty studio mishap you don’t want to miss. Whether you’re a longtime fan, an up-and-coming musician, or just need a dose of inspiration, this is a conversation packed with advice and powerful reminders about passion, perseverance, and making your own path. Stick around for Fitz’s heartfelt advice to aspiring artists, and make sure to check out the full episode on your favorite podcast platform.