Bringin' it Backwards

We had the pleasure of interviewing Chris DeMakes of Less Than Jake over Zoom video! Chris DeMakes is the guitarist and vocalist of the ska-punk band Less Than Jake. DeMakes is the author of, "Blast From The Past" and host of, "Chris DeMakes A Podcast". DeMakes is also currently working on a brand new solo album. About the Book: "Blast From The Past" is a photographic journey through the touring life of Less Than Jake guitarist and vocalist Chris DeMakes. It was through a variety of costumes and alter egos that DeMakes would consistently shock and amaze fans. The weird guy that they saw in the parking lot doing calisthenics would hours later take the stage and rock out their favorite songs. The mustached man passing out Yoo-hoo to the crowds at Warped Tour was the guy from the band headlining the main stage that night. Despite the laughs and hijinks of the LTJ experience, the heart behind the songs still rang true. To the legions of fans of this punk rock mainstay, it is the special combination of crazy and authentic that makes every show memorable. No one had more fun living the rock and roll lifestyle than Chris and his Less Than Jake bandmates, and this book is proof. About New Music: Chris' newest track, "Never Surrender" was released on all digital platforms on 4/20 with the pre-order drop of a new 7" via Smartpunk records, along with exclusive merch (a grinder and frisbee for extra 4/20 fun!) "Father Time" will be released on all streaming platforms 6/9, and the 7" records will be released 6/11 for shipping. About Chris DeMakes A Podcast Chris DeMakes of Less Than Jake discusses the ins and outs of songwriting with a variety of guests from the world of music. https://open.spotify.com/show/34AUlv2aNj8zyCoAHl6mIq We want to hear from you! Please email Tera@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #foryou #foryoupage #stayhome #togetherathome #zoom #aspn #americansongwriter #americansongwriterpodcastnetwork Listen & Subscribe to BiB Follow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bringinbackpod/support https://bringinitbackwards.com/

We had the pleasure of interviewing Julia Rizik over Zoom video! Julia Rizik is no stranger to pushing the limits. After beginning her career as a country musician, where the singer/songwriter rose to notoriety booking stagecoach amongst others, and being signed to two of Hollywoods largest firms, both CAA and WME, she took 2020 to reflect, reposition, and push herself further outside of her comfort zone. The change of gears was largely inspired by her desire for more creative freedom as she has always felt very drawn towards an alternative, R&B-pop sound, and her new body of work is just that. Written during the grueling and not-so-pretty days in quarantine, Julia was forced to sit down and face her reality. She unloaded her feelings of upset and confusion about her back-and-forth breakup and the toxicity of the relationship on paper, writing in search of therapy and clarity. The result was her debut pop EP "Self-Destructive". The five song EP rings true to themes of breaking up and self-reflection. Already released off the EP, 'Human' (which has garnered close to 100 streams since its release) touches on being so infatuated with somebody that you think they are too good to be real. Rizik describes the heartfelt EP as "indie-pop and alternative R&B." Title Track "Self-Destructive" will drop March 5 and official music video will drop on March 19 to tease the EP – which is out March 26. At only eleven years old, Scottsdale, Arizona native Julia Rizik attended an open mic night where she nearly bailed on her performance due to nerves. After going through with it, she realized how much she loved music and performing and that she wanted to do this as a career. At the young age of fourteen, Rizik landed a Fender endorsement and was introduced to some of the top country writers in Nashville. At seventeen, she was living in the heart of country, writing songs 24/7 and performing at some of the biggest festivals in the country like Stagecoach and Country Thunder. However, Rizik soon realized that making country music wasn't fulfilling her like it used to. She took time for herself, writing and producing her own demos for pop songs. She felt more free in her writing and took this as a sign that she needed to make a change, and she made the move from Nashville to Los Angeles, to focus on pop music. A woman of many talents, Julia Rizik also plays a multitude of instruments including the piano, banjo, and guitar. At 4- years-old, Rizik's parents enrolled her in piano lessons where she found that she loved the music but hated the structure. She withdrew and began to print out sheet music she found online, listening to songs and coming up with her own spin on the piano. We want to hear from you! Please email Tera@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #foryou #foryoupage #stayhome #togetherathome #zoom #aspn #americansongwriter #americansongwriterpodcastnetwork Listen & Subscribe to BiB Follow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bringinbackpod/support Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bringin-it-backwards--4972373/support. https://bringinitbackwards.com/

We had the pleasure of interviewing Heather Youmans over Zoom video! Tomorrow (April 23rd, 2021) Heather Youmans will share her new single A LITTLE CLOSER TO HAPPY. The music video bottles up good vibes, sunshine and that "California Dreaming" lifestyle. Music fans may recognize Heather Youmans from Fox's new singing show "I Can See Your Voice," which was watched by 4 million viewers this Fall/Winter. Heather Youmans' artist project is a commentary on happiness -- bringing together SoCal sunshine, good vibes and an optimistic point of view with pop/indie rock tunes reminiscent of HAIM and Sheryl Crow. A LITTLE CLOSER TO HAPPY is a SoCal-inspired soundtrack to the pursuit of happiness. People know Youmans as an "eternal optimist," someone who always seems to find something to smile about. But, happiness isn't perfect, and feeling happy all the time is a myth. Truth is, we all get a little sad sometimes. A LITTLE CLOSER TO HAPPY centers on one truth: "Achieving true happiness is a journey. Once you find it - no matter how big or small - hold onto it." Heather Youmans was born and raised in San Diego, just a 10 minute drive from the beach, so this song and video really sum up the California dream - from sunshine and contemplative beach sunsets to playing music around the campfire in flip flops (with a White Claw). About Heather Youmans: Heather Youmans is a Los-Angeles-based singer-songwriter, acclaimed vocalist, bassist and actress. The "essence of a Southern California singer/songwriter" (American Songwriter Magazine), Heather's music spreads happiness. It's honest, uplifting and influenced by a range of dynamic women in music, including: HAIM, P!nk, Kelly Clarkson, Sheryl Crow, Sara Bareilles, Alanis Morissette, Fiona Apple, Joss Stone and Donna Missal. Through the years, she has written/recorded original music featured in Forbes, Parade Magazine and the LA Times, played on Top40 radio and in movies - including "Flicka 2" (alongside country music icon Clint Black), "Marley and Me 2" and "High Strung," premiering at TCL Chinese Theatre. She opened for Sting and the late Natalie Cole at a Unicef event, and has sung the national anthem solo for the LA Kings and 20,000 fans at Staples Center on New Years Eve. In Fall 2020, she released single SHINE--channeling good vibes, self-love and sunshine--and appeared as the "Tap Dancer" on FOX's new hit singing show "I Can See Your Voice." A LITTLE CLOSER TO HAPPY is the next chapter in her pursuit of happiness, as she continues to spread optimism and positive energy to fans. For the latest on Heather's upcoming projects, follow her on Spotify and Instagram. We want to hear from you! Please email Tera@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #foryou #foryoupage #stayhome #togetherathome #zoom #aspn #americansongwriter #americansongwriterpodcastnetwork Listen & Subscribe to BiB Follow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bringinbackpod/support Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bringin-it-backwards--4972373/support. https://bringinitbackwards.com/

We had the pleasure of interviewing Cindy Alexander over Zoom video! Singer-Songwriter CINDY ALEXANDER releases her new single, "Broken but Beloved," from the upcoming, While the Angels Sigh, her tenth studio album. "Broken but Beloved," a song about impermanence, was recorded with Grammy award-winning producer and engineer Ross Hogarth at Sunset Sound. It was the last in-person session before the Los Angeles lockdown order took effect in March 2020. Cindy's dear friend and touring buddy, Michael Bacon (one-half of the Bacon Brothers and award-winning composer) contributed cello from his studio in New York. After recording his part, he sent Cindy a note, in which she found the title of her new record: Set for release on April 23, 2021, While the Angels Sigh is at once a musical affirmation of personal power and grace, and an acceptance of human weakness and fallibility. Cindy has written a songbook for the "sandwich generation," with wisdom for millennials, and gratitude to the generations that came before her. During the most stressful time of her adult life, Cindy Alexander wrote and recorded her new album. Through the most trying of conditions - her mother dying from dementia, navigating through the pandemic and civil protests, all while teaching her twin daughters from home during the "Safer at Home" order, Cindy's strength and creativity came to the fore. Cindy entered Sage & Sound Studio at the end of 2019 with a dream team of musicians, led by producer/bass player Sean Hurley (Vertical Horizon, John Mayer, Colbie Caillat) and producer/ drummer Victor Indrizzo (Alanis Morissette, Sara Bareilles, Lizzo). Other A-list players on the album include guitarist David Levita (Alanis Morissette, Lana Del Rey, Sheryl Crow) and piano from Michael Farrell (Alanis Morissette, Macy Gray). The remaining tracks were recorded socially distanced during last year's lockdown, transferred back and forth between home studios before finally finishing up in Cindy's bedroom at her new home in Big Sur. Although the creative process was a challenge, the result is a triumph. While the Angels Sigh is an achingly personal album that speaks to and for all of us, and a musical tribute to a broken but beloved humanity. We want to hear from you! Please email Tera@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #foryou #foryoupage #stayhome #togetherathome #zoom #aspn #americansongwriter #americansongwriterpodcastnetwork Listen & Subscribe to BiB Follow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bringinbackpod/support Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bringin-it-backwards--4972373/support. https://bringinitbackwards.com/

Together with Sean Ulbs of The Eiffels, we had the pleasure of interviewing Icarus and Jaime N Commons over Zoom video! Bristol-based duo Icarus makes a long-awaited return to Anjunadeep with original production 'Moment In Time'. Featuring acclaimed British singer-songwriter Jamie N Commons, this new single marks their third on the label, following their 2016 hit 'Hiding' and their recent remix of CRi's 'From Me'. Known for their distinctive brand of emotive and melodic house music, Icarus a.k.a Tom and Ian Griffiths have garnered over 116m Spotify streams to date, and a global following from their steady stream of crossover hits such as 'October' and 'Home', featuring Aurora. What's more, the duo has also remixed some of the world's biggest acts including Jesse Ware, Pendulum, Martin Solveig, Wilkinson, and Rüfüs Du Sol. After a year-long hiatus from releasing original music, following the success of their 2020 project 'Unfold' via FFRR, Icarus returns now with 'Moment In Time', joining forces with fellow Bristolian, Jamie N Commons. With an all-star list of collaborations to his name, alongside artists like Jay Z, Eminem, and Skylar Grey; Jamie now showcases his powerhouse vocal and flair for emotive songwriting on this poignant new Anjunadeep single. 'We wrote the original idea with Jamie a few years ago and knew we'd never got it 'right' for release. With the last year that the world has endured, we felt it was time to revisit the song as it had never felt more relevant than it does right now. We're proud of where we've taken the track and we can't wait for the world to hear it,' Icarus says. 'Moment In Time' is out now on Anjunadeep. We want to hear from you! Please email Tera@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #foryou #foryoupage #stayhome #togetherathome #zoom #aspn #americansongwriter #americansongwriterpodcastnetwork Listen & Subscribe to BiB Follow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bringinbackpod/support Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bringin-it-backwards--4972373/support. https://bringinitbackwards.com/

We had the pleasure of interviewing Jeremy Ryan over Zoom video! Jeremy Ryan (Jeremy Pholwattana) is a 2x Grammy Balloted American Songwriter and Music Producer. His 20+ years' experience in the industry has lead him to collaborations with some of the biggest names such as James Brown, Hollywood Records (Disney), and the NBA. Jeremy has written soundtracks for multiple Featured Films and was in consideration for an Oscar for "Best Song" for the 93rd Academy Awards. His ventures include his label Sound Records, his music production company Sound Entertainment, and his most recent partnership with Deanna Brown Thomas of the James Brown Family, a movie production company, Brown Light Productions. Jeremy also inspires to teach the next generation of upcoming artists through the Jeremy Ryan Music "School of Sound" which he has founded. Jeremy is currently promoting his buzzworthy track "The Answers" performed by Emery Kelly. The song can be heard within the motion picture "Max Winslow and the House of Secrets" (2020), and is currently being considered for a 2021 Oscar Nomination. It was also recently awarded "Best Song" and "Best Original Score" at the 2021 Vegas Movie Awards. We want to hear from you! Please email Tera@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #foryou #foryoupage #stayhome #togetherathome #zoom #aspn #americansongwriter #americansongwriterpodcastnetwork Listen & Subscribe to BiB Follow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bringinbackpod/support Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bringin-it-backwards--4972373/support. https://bringinitbackwards.com/

We had the pleasure of interviewing Emily James over Zoom video! LA based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Emily James recently released her newest single, venice, of her latest record Wanted You to Know, Pt. I. The charming and whimsical composition highlights the tenderness of first love and envisioning a future with someone. The enchanting track was written, recorded, and produced by James. Reflecting on her song, James shares, "Love is something I think we all cherish, and each of us hopes to find that special person to share a life with," she continues. "It felt like the song was just sitting there in my head and all I had to do was let it write itself. I hope it captures, for the listener, the warmth and glow of that simple, sweet paradise." The video for the song is beautifully animated by Anayis N. Der Hakopian. James' music has been included on playlists from Alternate Root to LA Weekly. InFocus Visions said, "Her songs have a Jack Johnson meets Carly Rae Jepson kind of vibe that immediately puts you in a relaxing mood.." Rock at Night wrote "Writing songs since she was 10 years old, Emily composes lyrics with a mature sensibility and reveals life experiences that belie her tender age of 21...With a soft pop and rock influence and lots of beautiful hooks in her songs–think of a beautiful melange of sound from perhaps early Carole King and Jack Johnson performing together." Wanted You to Know, Pt. I will be was released on February 26th, 2021. We want to hear from you! Please email Tera@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #foryou #foryoupage #stayhome #togetherathome #zoom #aspn #americansongwriter #americansongwriterpodcastnetwork Listen & Subscribe to BiB Follow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bringinbackpod/support Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bringin-it-backwards--4972373/support. https://bringinitbackwards.com/

We had the pleasure of interviewing TZAR over Zoom video! TZAR is a female singer/songwriter/artist who immigrated to the Bay Area from Moscow, Russia at just 7-years old. While being undoubtedly influenced by her classical piano training, her love for records from empowered artists such as Prince, Chakah Khan, Kate Bush, and Goapele have and continue to be an undeniable and thematic undercurrent in her songs. After playing shows across the Bay Area, TZAR followed her dreams down to Los Angeles and began featuring and writing songs with other artists such as KSHMR, Zed's Dead, JOHN K, K. Flay, Promnite, Falcons, Hoodboi, and more. Her work and collaborations led her to perform at places such as Red Rocks (her debut performance as TZAR with Zeds Dead), The Warfield in San Francisco, and The Regent in Downtown Los Angeles. In 2019, after writing with the multi-platinum producer Djemba Djemba (prod. Sia, Madonna, Britney Spears, Justin Bieber), something clicked between the two, and Djemba decided to executive produce her debut EP - the lot of which brings her dreamy 80's roots fresh into 2021. Additional producers who worked on the project include JULiA LEWiS (G-Eazy, Blueface, T-Pain), & MEMBA (Foreign Family, Evan Giia). The first single from her debut EP from the project: "What Ur Lookin' For", dropped in late 2020 and was featured on Ones To Watch, Nakid Magazine, several of Spotify's New Music Friday's around the world, and Apple Music's New In Pop playlists globally. We want to hear from you! Please email Tera@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #foryou #foryoupage #stayhome #togetherathome #zoom #aspn #americansongwriter #americansongwriterpodcastnetwork Listen & Subscribe to BiB Follow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bringinbackpod/support Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bringin-it-backwards--4972373/support. https://bringinitbackwards.com/

We had the pleasure of interviewing Horace Bray over Zoom video! LA-based pop artist Horace Bray has shared his new EP Fame, Fortune, and Perfume. Self-produced and self-assured, the new EP is a stunning five-song collection that guides listeners through Bray's post-grad travels from New York City to L.A. and all the tumult and heartbreak in between. In studying jazz performance and music theory at the University of North Texas, 29-year old Bray became the first undergraduate in 15 years to hold the guitar chair in the Grammy-nominated One O'Clock Lab Band. Since moving to Los Angeles, the guitarist-producer has amassed over 120 thousand Instagram followers for his amicable guitar tutorials and genre-hopping instrumental covers including his spellbinding take on Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On." He's played for celebrities like Sofia Carson and Jordan Fisher. All that makes for quite the résumé, but doesn't even reveal the most exciting part: Horace Bray is blossoming into a singer-songwriter to be reckoned with. Fame, Fortune, and Perfume plays out like a series of snapshots through Horace Bray's life, navigating relationships, desires, and fears -- a constant search for what's real. The kaleidoscopic title track comes from Bray's first taste of running with the starstruck L.A. crowd. "There's a lot of smoke and mirrors, a lot of money being thrown around," he says. "You're talking to people that always have their foot in the door just in case something better comes around. There's some real homies out here, but then you meet people that make you understand why people think L.A. is superficial." Beyond Fame, Fortune, and Perfume, expect more innovation, collaborations, and collections of songs. Instead of locking himself away in the studio like so many virtuosos before him, Horace Bray remains constantly accessible: through his quirky TikTok and Instagram covers, livestreams of his originals, and the guitar tutorials that keep him on the pulse of how kids relate to his craft. Fame, Fortune, and Perfume stands as Horace Bray's introduction to a new world of possibilities. We want to hear from you! Please email Tera@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #foryou #foryoupage #stayhome #togetherathome #zoom #aspn #americansongwriter #americansongwriterpodcastnetwork Listen & Subscribe to BiB Follow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bringinbackpod/support Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bringin-it-backwards--4972373/support. https://bringinitbackwards.com/

We had the pleasure of interviewing Stage Moms over Zoom video! Stage Moms is an aggressive pop-punk band drawing influences from early 2010's pop punk revival bands such as Crucial Dudes, The Wonder Years, and Four Year Strong. Formed in late 2019 after singer Gage Vota and guitarist's Grayson Prince previous band Down They Fall decided to call it quits, the band released their first EP "Long Drives and Late Nights." The Moundsville, West Virginia-based act has honed in on a sound that combines modern-day pop-punk, punk, and hardcore all into one cohesive thought that provides a platform for Gage Vota to deliver his personal yet relatable lyrics that touch on subjects such as depression and failure. In September 2020, Stage Moms headed into The Lumberyard Recording Studio with Nik Bruzzese of Man Overboard and Ace Enders of The Early November, to record their sophomore EP "Almost Heaven...Feels Like Hell", which is out now! We want to hear from you! Please email Tera@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #foryou #foryoupage #stayhome #togetherathome #zoom #aspn #americansongwriter #americansongwriterpodcastnetwork Listen & Subscribe to BiB Follow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bringinbackpod/support Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bringin-it-backwards--4972373/support. https://bringinitbackwards.com/