We had the pleasure of interviewing Fastball over Zoom video!Formed in 1994 in Austin, Texas, Fastball combined a fondness for melodic, Beatles-inspired pop with the alternative aesthetic of late-'90s mainstream rock. Guitarist/vocalist Miles Zuniga, bassist/vocalist Tony Scalzo, and drummer Joey Shuffield — all veterans of Austin's underground rock scene — originally banded together under the name Magneto U.S.A. After signing with Hollywood Records, the musicians changed their name to Fastball and released their debut album, Make Your Mama Proud, in 1996. The album demonstrated the band's synthesis of modern flavor and bygone pop hooks, a combination that would later launch Fastball into the mainstream.The follow-up effort, All the Pain Money Can Buy, appeared in early 1998, featuring a considerably tighter band and more pop flourishes. Although the bandmates were still working side jobs at the time of its release, lead-off single "The Way" proved to be a meteoric hit, topping the American rock charts for seven weeks while enjoying crossover success as a pop single. "Fire Escape" and the piano-fueled "Out of My Head" did similarly well, and All the Pain Money Can Buy went platinum within six months of its release, earning two Grammy nominations along the way. Fastball celebrated their success with a considerable amount of touring, including shows alongside Marcy Playground and Everclear.The Harsh Light of Day arrived in fall 2000, featuring piano work by Billy Preston and an increasingly arty sound, including the Top 40 hit "You're an Ocean.” Fastball eventually left the Hollywood roster in favor of a new deal with Rykodisc. A retrospective compilation, Painting the Corners: The Best of Fastball, marked the band's final release for Hollywood Records in 2002. Two years later, they resurfaced with Keep Your Wig On, having fully embraced their power pop roots with the help of co-producer Adam Schlesinger. The album strengthened Fastball's work ethic, with frontmen Zuniga and Scalzo writing together for the first time. That collaborative spirit helped fuel another album, Little White Lies, which appeared in 2009 to warm reviews.After several years of focusing on live work, Fastball returned to the studio in 2015, recording in their hometown of Austin. The project emerged in May 2017, a self-released album titled Step into Light, and the band supported it with an extensive tour of the United States and Canada. The following year, Fastball celebrated the 20th anniversary of All the Pain Money Can Buy with an expanded edition of the 1998 album; they accompanied the reissue with a hometown concert in Austin, Texas.In October 2019, Fastball returned with The Help Machine, an album produced by Steve Berlin of Los Lobos, and in Sept 2021 and on June 17, 2022 they released The Deep End.Fastball just released a brand new album called Sonic Ranch.We want to hear from you! Please email Hello@BringinitBackwards.comwww.BringinitBackwards.com#podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #Fastball #NewMusic #ZoomListen & Subscribe to BiBhttps://www.bringinitbackwards.com/followFollow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter!https://www.facebook.com/groups/bringinbackpodBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bringin-it-backwards--4972373/support.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Cali Tucker over Zoom video!Daughter of renowned recording artist LaCosta Tucker and niece of the famed Tanya Tucker, Cali Tucker hails from Nashville, Tennessee and has been hitting full throttle throughout her career. She gained national recognition on Season 6 of The Voice after joining Team Blake and becoming a finalist. Since then, she has risen to prominence as a headlining act in Las Vegas, captivating audiences with her remarkable talent as a live performer. Cali’s self-designed solo show is highly interactive, featuring her rich vocals, infectious humor, and dynamic stage presence. Cali represents the best of both Nashville and Vegas, which has earned her the title of “Miss NashVegas.”Her unique fashion sense and luxury persona is a big part of her brand in the country music business as she prepares for the launch of many upcoming projects for 2024, including the Country Couture clothing line. Partnering with prominent brands, producers, songwriters, designers, and influencers. Tucker promises to continue to astound audiences not just in Las Vegas, but across the country and globe.We want to hear from you! Please email Hello@BringinitBackwards.comwww.BringinitBackwards.com#podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #CaliTucker #NewMusic #ZoomListen & Subscribe to BiBhttps://www.bringinitbackwards.com/followFollow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! https://www.facebook.com/groups/bringinbackpodBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bringin-it-backwards--4972373/support.

We had the pleasure of interviewing joan over Zoom video!Beloved alt-pop duo joan, who have garnered over 200 million global streams and more than one million monthly listeners across streaming platforms, have unveiled their latest single "face" via Photo Finish Records. Co-written with Cris Stayton and co-written/produced by joan—Alan Benjamin Thomas and Steven Rutherford—"face" began as an experimental writing session on Zoom. The collaboration quickly turned into something much more personal, capturing an honest and poignant reflection on the passage of time and the longing for lost moments."This song is about time and how quickly it slips away," the band shares. "In the blink of an eye, something that seems like it could go on forever is gone, and what you previously took for granted, you would do literally anything to get a mundane second of it back.  Nothing is supposed to last forever, but sometimes you have to lose it to understand how special the moments you had together were.”Recorded and produced in their Little Rock studio, "face" is joined by an accompanying music video that blends live performance with projected imagery.  "We wanted to make it feel like a performance video with a twist," the band explains. "We shot Steven performing the song separately and then projected him onto the wall while Alan performed. It feels surreal, it feels connected even though we weren’t. There’s something eerie and beautiful about it."The new single follows joan’s recently released tracks, “magic,” “heartbodymindsoul” and “eyes,” marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the band since their 2023 debut album, superglue.  joan are now gearing up for an underplay headline tour kicking off Apri 24th in Dallas, TX titled “the close friends tour.” This follows a sold-out Fall tour with MisterWives. Over the years, joan has performed in 15,000+ capacity venues in Asia, headlined festivals in the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, and Hong Kong, and supported artists such as COIN, The Aces, The Maine, and Jeremy Zucker.joan’s journey began with their debut EP portra and has since flourished through fan-favorite releases like cloudy & partly cloudy, hi & bye, and superglue. With each project, joan continue to expand their loyal following.We want to hear from you! Please email Hello@BringinitBackwards.comwww.BringinitBackwards.com#podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #joan #NewMusic #ZoomListen & Subscribe to BiBhttps://www.bringinitbackwards.com/followFollow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! https://www.facebook.com/groups/bringinbackpodBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bringin-it-backwards--4972373/support.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Sofía Valdés over Zoom video!Acclaimed Panamanian singer-songwriter Sofía Valdés unveils her anxiously awaited self-titled debut album, Sofía Valdés, out now via Warner Records.In bringing the 10-track album to life, Sofía worked extensively with producers Michael Uzowuru (known for his work on groundbreaking albums like Rosalía’s Motomami and SZA’s Ctrl), Alex Goose (Vince Staples, Childish Gambino) and Carter Lang (SZA, Lykke Li), as well as in-demand musicians like Local Natives guitarist Ryan Hahn and Diana Gordon.From the epic “Tacones Por La Puerta” featuring cinematic strings from acclaimed Brazilian composer Arthur Verocai to the guitar-driven funk of “Already Yours” and the tender plea on “Un Momento,” the album affirms Sofía as a bold and eloquent songwriter inspired by her family’s deep, multi-generational connection to music.She paved the way for the album’s arrival with fan favorite collaborations with Latin sensations DannyLux on “Lento” and Cuco on “How’s That Working Out,” which earned widespread critical praise, including Rolling Stone who hailed its “modern bossa nova blend of jangly guitar and sleek beats perfect for late summer,” and Ones To Watch who called it “a collab of indie Latino royalty."Her catalog to date — including her previous EPs Silvia, In Bloom, and Ventura — has received a long list of critical acclaim from the likes of NPR, W Magazine, Interview Magazine, NYLON, and many more for her beautifully original blend of bossa nova, folk, and pop.ABOUT SOFÍA VALDÉS Sofia Valdes, a singer/songwriter born and bred in Panama, creates the kind of emo onally honest and beautifully original pop music that could only come from years of exploration. After learning to play guitar at the age of eight and writing her first song at 13, the independent-minded artist sharpened her craft in part by building an eclectic sonic vocabulary informed by everything from folk and bossa nova to ’60s Motown and ’70s soul. Valdes alchemizes those inspira ons into a sound all her own, gracing each track with her indelible songwriting and beguiling voice. With its transcendent melodies and shapeshifting rhythms, Ventura is an elegant introduction the vibrant musicality that may very well be in Valdes’s blood: her great-grandfather was the legendary Cuban musician Miguelito Valdes, and her great-great grandmother was Silvia De Grasse (a Panamanian singer who once performed with Louis Armstrong). We want to hear from you! Please email Hello@BringinitBackwards.comwww.BringinitBackwards.com#podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #SofíaValdés #NewMusic #ZoomListen & Subscribe to BiBhttps://www.bringinitbackwards.com/followFollow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! https://www.facebook.com/groups/bringinbackpodBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bringin-it-backwards--4972373/support.

We had the pleasure of interviewing sym fera over Zoom video!Los Angeles-based sym fera are a duo that make atmospheric electronic rock music (reminiscent of early Nine Inch Nails) with an interesting twist - nobody knew who was in the band. This mysterious nature and captivating melodies had intrigued listeners, with their single 11/8 amassing over 400,000 streams. The song was also placed within the hit television series, Ozark, creating further interest in the band. The group recently released a remix package of 11/8 (orchestral and electronic remixes). sym fera recently  drop their newest single, ‘Beg’. At the same time as the release, they will reveal their identities (Nick Simmons – the son of Gene Simmons and Vinnie Ferra – co-founder of Beehive).Their first EP was released under State of The Art Records, helmed by Ian McEvily, Marc Jordan, and Mike Clemenza, who themselves did not know the real names of the band members before they made an offer to sign them. The reason for hiding their identities was to create a social experiment in a time when name and social following seem to be the most common reasons for artists to garner any support or movement early on. Would they be successful without using any industry ties? Could they break through the noise and garner a following without millions of followers? The answer is, yes. We want to hear from you! Please email Hello@BringinitBackwards.comwww.BringinitBackwards.com#podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #symfera #NickSimmons #VinnieFera #NewMusic #ZoomListen & Subscribe to BiBhttps://www.bringinitbackwards.com/followFollow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! https://www.facebook.com/groups/bringinbackpodBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bringin-it-backwards--4972373/support.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Hudson Thames over Zoom video!Prolific songwriter, performer, and actor Hudson Thames has shared his soul-soothing debut album BAMBINO, available to stream now on all DSPs worldwide via Loaded Dice Entertainment. The album is laced with moody pop anthems, deeply emotional ballads, and genuinely timeless songwriting, paying homage to icons like Elton John, Billy Joel, and Paul McCartney. It features standout tracks “Wrong,” “Cold Summer,” “Weight” (feat. Kelsey Karter) and “Man of the World,” which features Jamie Cullum and was produced by Stephan Moccio (The Weeknd, Miley Cyrus). “BAMBINO is an Italian term of endearment that means ‘Baby’ or ‘Little One.’  My dad remarried when I was twelve to a big Sicilian clan and my family grew by about a thousand people overnight,” says Thames. “As I floated through family functions and dinner parties, the term Bambino was assigned to me and I always felt that it was really sweet. This album is so coming of age for me. It’s been whittled down over the last two years to highlight the most important moments of growth and learning during the most challenging but important time in my life. As I figure out my place in the world as a man, it feels like the right time to relinquish the title of ‘Bambino’ and give it MY baby; This body of work.”A product of a honkey-tonk piano player father, Rat Pack Vegas performers, and a crew of skate rats from The San Fernando Valley, Hudson’s pop sensibility has old school roots. Hudson first saw radio success with his first single, “How I Want Ya” feat. Hailee Steinfeld, and “Drive it Like You Stole it,” which led to performances on The Today Show, The Radio Disney Music Awards, as well as dozens of featured TV and film placements. When Hudson isn’t busy playing music, he can be found sharing his talents on-screen. Bursting onto the stage at only 13 years old, Hudson’s acting career began with roles in Tony Award-winner Jason Robert Browns’ 13 the Musical alongside Ariana Grande, Distracted with Rita Wilson, and Falsetto’s with Jason Alexander. He also has landed roles on acclaimed shows like The Secret Life of the American Teenager and Mad Men, to name a few. Currently, Thames is starring in Disney+’s new animated Spider-Man series, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, as Peter Parker's voice.We want to hear from you! Please email Hello@BringinitBackwards.comwww.BringinitBackwards.com#podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #HudsonThames #NewMusic #ZoomListen & Subscribe to BiBhttps://www.bringinitbackwards.com/followFollow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! https://www.facebook.com/groups/bringinbackpodBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bringin-it-backwards--4972373/support.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Ziggy Alberts over Zoom video!Ziggy Alberts is no stranger to success, having built a dedicated global following through a combination of steadfast touring, captivating songwriting, and an independent ethos that has seen him thrive without the backing of a major label. An artist who has mastered the acoustic charm of busking and intimate venues to the electrifying energy of sold-out world stages - all as a solo act - Alberts is now entering a new phase of his artistic journey with his seventh studio album, ‘New Love’.From his early days busking on the streets of Australia's Byron Bay, Alberts has always understood the power of direct connection with his audience. His rise has been driven not only by his emotionally resonant folk songs but by his determination to bring his music to fans face-to-face. Now a decade into his career, he has grown his fanbase the old-fashioned way: by playing show after show, year after year, turning small rooms into sold-out venues across the globe.His touring record is as impressive as it is diverse. In 2024, as part of his 70-date New Love World Tour, he delivered standout performances, including massive headline sets at Bluesfest Byron Bay and a co-headline SummerSalt run across Australia’s east coast with Matt Corby and James Bay. The world tour has taken him across his homeland, Europe, the UK, North America, and Indonesia, with debut shows planned for Mexico and Japan. Among the tour highlights are his biggest German shows, drawing over 3,500 attendees in Hamburg and Munich. He also achieved sold-out shows in Vienna, and both Amsterdam and Mexico City twice over. This remarkable run follows his prolific 2023 Rewind World Tour, where he performed for over 110,000 people at his headline shows, sold out London's Eventim Apollo, completed a packed-out capital city tour in Australia, and made his debut in Brazil, playing to a crowd of 15,000 people at the Floripa Eco Festival.Alberts' audience isn't just global - it's fiercely loyal, built on the back of his tireless work ethic and unfiltered authenticity. His brand of acoustic, sun-soaked folk has struck a chord with listeners worldwide, combining deeply personal storytelling with universally relatable themes of love, self-discovery, and freedom. Alberts' resume speaks for itself: his discography has garnered over 1 billion streams, with hits like "Runaway," "Gone," and "Love Me Now" racking up millions of listens - "Runaway" surpassing 100 million streams on Spotify alone. His 2018 album ‘Laps Around The Sun’ achieved ARIA Double Platinum Certification, with several singles also earning ARIA Platinum and Gold Certifications, underscoring his enduring appeal. He's taken home two APRA Music Awards for Most Performed Blues and Roots Work in both 2022 and 2024, further solidifying his standing in Australian folk music.For Alberts, ‘New Love’ is a return to simplicity - a reflection of his own personal growth over the years. It explores themes of second chances, choosing joy, and navigating the complexities of modern life, but always with an underlying message of adventure and magic. The first singles from the record, "New Love," "Outlaw," and "Where Does The Love Go?", reveal this connection, blending personal reflection with universal emotions, while the acoustic folk sound and enchanting melodies give space for the stories to breathe. The album's structure, split between a warm, folk-inspired Side A and a more expansive, rock-and-country- influenced Side B, mirrors the duality of life. Side A represents the light, or North, with songs that feel familiar and intimate; while Side B ventures into darker tones and broader instrumentation, representing the South. It's this balance that makes ‘New Love’ feel cohesive, giving the album a sense of being made to be listened to in its entirety, much like the records that inspired Alberts early on in his career.The release of ‘New Love’ and the ongoing New Love World Tour showcases Alberts at a peak of his powers as a seasoned performer who has mastered the art of connecting with his audience. His determined touring schedule has not only expanded his global reach but has created a fanbase that feels deeply connected to his music and his message. His live shows have become more than just performances - they are shared experiences where fans from different countries and cultures come together, united by his music.We want to hear from you! Please email Hello@BringinitBackwards.comwww.BringinitBackwards.com#podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #ZiggyAlberts #NewMusic #ZoomListen & Subscribe to BiBhttps://www.bringinitbackwards.com/followFollow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! https://www.facebook.com/groups/bringinbackpodBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bringin-it-backwards--4972373/support.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Liang Lawrence over Zoom video! London-based singer-songwriter Liang Lawrence shares her new single “Kiss My Apocalypse” via The Other Songs. Featuring fuzzy, serotonin-boosting electric guitars, the new song is an unabashed declaration of love and commitment.Lawrence said of the song: “‘Kiss My Apocalypse’ is probably the least casual way you could tell someone that you want to spend the rest of your life with them. I found it refreshing to write a love song that just simply puts my cards on the table and lets someone know how I feel.”“Kiss My Apocalypse” arrives on the heels of Lawrence’s new EP What’s Dead and Gone, an evocative coming-of-age portrait that’s garnered praise from BBC Radio 1, BBC Introducing and Atwood Magazine who hailed the body of work as “masterful storytelling and unforgettable melodies.” She celebrated the EP’s release with a sold-out debut headlining show at London’s Omeara this fall. Over the last few years, Lawrence has continued to build a devoted loyal following – her debut EP letters to myself amassed over 1 million streams in a matter of weeks upon its 2023 release and earned support from BBC Radio 1 Future Pop.Having grown up in eight different countries, Lawrence’s ability to find a home everywhere she goes is reflected in her borderless audience with listeners around the world. Initially drawn to music as a source of grounding consistency, she taught herself to play guitar and write songs from her bedroom, ultimately creating music that tells stories and expresses the messy emotions in everyday life.We want to hear from you! Please email Hello@BringinitBackwards.comwww.BringinitBackwards.com#podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #LiangLawrence #NewMusic #ZoomListen & Subscribe to BiBhttps://www.bringinitbackwards.com/followFollow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! https://www.facebook.com/groups/bringinbackpodBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bringin-it-backwards--4972373/support.

We had the pleasure of interviewing BØRNS over Zoom video!Chart-topping, platinum recording artist BØRNS has shared his timeless new EP Honeybee, available to stream now on all DSPs worldwide. The release puts BØRNS’ full spectrum of songwriting on display, paying homage to 60s and 70s icons like Elton John, The Beach Boys, and ELO. Honeybee serves as a continuation of his journey from 2023’s Suddenly, but with a much warmer, uplifting energy after exploring the 6 stages of grief.“This project is about finding love in new places, and it was incredibly exciting to create a record that felt so alive by tracking the songs with all live musicians,” he says. “Drawing inspiration from the classic records I grew up on, this EP feels like a celebration of everything that brings me joy.”In addition to releasing new music, BØRNS plans to announce his first shows in over five years in 2025.  BØRNS is an artist who taps into something enduring, yet has always been strikingly ahead of his time. His debut album Dopamine not only lit up the charts but also gained new virality in 2020 with "Electric Love," which currently boasts over 1 billion Spotify streams and was hailed by Taylor Swift as "an instant classic."  Throughout the 2010s, BØRNS shared the stage with countless iconic artists, such as Lana Del Rey, Bleachers, The Lumineers, Halsey, Charli XCX, and many others. He was also a featured artist for Tower of Song: A Memorial Tribute to Leonard Cohen, and Angel Headed Hipster: Songs of Marc Bolan and T.Rex, alongside a line-up of legacy artists. Both projects were produced by the late, great Hal Willner.After a sold-out US tour and his second Coachella appearance in 2018, BØRNS took a break, stepping away from the spotlight to recalibrate and dive deeper into his craft. His latest work showcases a more intimate and authentic side, teaming up with a seasoned arranger to create some of the most authentic songs of his career.  Just as he did with his debut, BØRNS is once again set to push the boundaries of music, shaping a sound that feels both familiar and entirely new. The question on everyone’s mind: where will he take us next? The answer: Honeybee.We want to hear from you! Please email Hello@BringinitBackwards.comwww.BringinitBackwards.com#podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #BØRNS #NewMusic #ZoomListen & Subscribe to BiBhttps://www.bringinitbackwards.com/followFollow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! https://www.facebook.com/groups/bringinbackpodBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bringin-it-backwards--4972373/support.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Slow Joy over Zoom video!Slow Joy, the solo project of Dallas based, New Mexican born Chicano artist Esteban Flores, is thrilled to announce his first official US headline tour. The February 2025 run has Flores out supporting his Mi Amigo Slow Joy EP, which was released June 7th, 2024 via Mick Music. Produced by Mike Sapone (Oso Oso, The Front Bottoms), the EP earned Slow Joy the “Best New Band” designation in the Dallas Observer’s Annual “Best of Dallas” roundup and drew comparisons to The Pixies, Modest Mouse and Smashing Pumpkins.Slow Joy spent all of the fall on the road supporting Real Friends alongside Can’t Swim and Carly Cosgrove on their Forever And Ever and Ever And Ever And Ever And Ever And Ever Tour. The two month long tour visited most every major city across the US and was Slow Joy’s biggest trek to date. Mi Amigo Slow Joy follows 2023’s Wildflower EP. The new EP was extremely well received, with FLOOD writing, “...the EP is a celebration of the past three decades of alternative rock music condensed into something more broadly appealing than any of Nevermind’s non-single tracks.” The Chicago Reader described the Mi Amigo Slow Joy EP as “...melanges of grungy shoegaze.” And KXT 91.7 said the EP features “crunchy, alt-rock-inflected soundscapes [with] searching, vulnerable lyrics.” Flores’ growth as a songwriter and musician can be heard throughout the four new tracks, an accomplishment he credits Sapone for helping him to achieve.Slow Joy is currently working with Sapone on his debut album, due in early 2025. In the meantime, catch Flores and his band on tour through February. All confirmed shows are below and you can buy tickets HERE.Slow Joy Confirmed Tour Dates:February 5th @ White Oak Music Hall in Houston, TXFebruary 6th @Dada Dallas in Dallas, TXFebruary 7th @ Mohawk (Inside) in Austin, TXFebruary 8th @ Vibes Underground in San Antonio, TXFebruary 13th @ Launchpad in Albuquerque, NMFebruary 14th @ Lowbrow Palace in El Paso, TXFebruary 20th @ The Vanguard in Tulsa, OKFebruary 21st @ Off Broadway in St. Louis, MOFebruary 22nd @ Burn Bright MKE in Milwaukee, WIFebruary 23rd @ Rose Music Hall in Columbia, MOWe want to hear from you! Please email Hello@BringinitBackwards.comwww.BringinitBackwards.com#podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #SlowJoy #NewMusic #ZoomListen & Subscribe to BiBhttps://www.bringinitbackwards.com/follow Follow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! https://www.facebook.com/groups/bringinbackpodBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bringin-it-backwards--4972373/support.