Bringin' it Backwards

We had the pleasure of interviewing Prema777 over Zoom video! Staten Island, NY's Prema777 released her new single "Workin" last month and is taken from her debut album Take Flight that will be re-released early 2021 on iNTeLLectual Entertainment (2nd Generation WU, GFTD) via Dock Street Records. "Take Flight is my go where golden age hip hop boom bap meets vibrancy, still hitting with pure lyrics as an emcee," she says. "The album was custom-tailored by building the entire sound from start to finish in the House of Dreams studio on Staten Island with my producer J. Glaze" (Cappadonna, Inspectah Deck, Lil Jon, A Tribe Called Quest, Kurupt, Chasing Banksy movie score). Featuring Brooklyn emcee Nitty Scott, who was known for her hit 'Monster', Prema777 feels the synergy between the two brought out her best. "'Workin' was built with Nitty in mind," she explains. "I was gearing towards a tribal and fun sound with an empowering vibe to showcase our shine together as both being raw and pure emcees." Blending the essence of 90's boom bap and modern soul, Prema777 discovered R&B and hip hop artists TLC (especially Left Eye), SWV, Missy Elliot and Aaliyah, while her older brothers introduced her to golden age hip hop artists Eric B. & Rakim, Slick Rick, Gangstarr and Wu-Tang Clan. A wordsmith in the tradition of MC Lyte, Roxanne Shanté or Ladybug Mecca from Digable Planets, her musical talents also embrace the current realm of artists like Tierra Whack and Princess Nokia. "Unlike most kids, I enjoyed time on my own and used it to explore creative outlets like music and writing," she says of her upbringing. Growing up in Middletown, NJ with her mother until she was 12 years old, Prema777 moved in with her father and two older brothers on Staten Island for her teen years. Reflecting her struggles as a teenager growing up on her own in New York City after her father passed away, her raw sonics and poetic lyricism is drawn from negative experiences and emotions and leans toward finding beauty in the dark. Often joking that the healthy spitting of bars between them was what brought them together initially as a couple and then a family, the first time she and her husband iNTeLL (2nd Generation WU and GFTD and mastermind behind iNTeLLectual Entertainment) collaborated musically was on a couple of the tracks from Take Flight. During the making of Take Flight, Prema777 found out she was pregnant but instead of halting all progress on the recording, she made it a point to go to the studio every day to complete the album. Prema777 delivered Take Flight and her son on the same day, proof of her dedication to creating a path for other female artists to feel comfortable and confident as she strives for success, progress and musical and personal growth. "Workin" by Prema777 is out now via iNTeLLectual Entertainment and Dock Street Records distributed by Tommy Boy Entertainment. 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 David Cook over Zoom video! David Cook (and yes, he is the winner of American Idol's Seventh Season) certainly knows his way around a good song. His first album, Analog Heart, came out pre-Idol, and his last album, Digital Vein, nicely book-ended that chapter of Cook's career. With Chromance (2018), he started fresh. "I was a 'rock' guy, but the further away I've gotten from that, the more I've opened up and found inspiration in the peripherals. I wouldn't have had the courage earlier in my career, but now I have the confidence to go after the sound I want." A fan of both Massive Attack and Nine Inch Nails, Cook always admired how they pushed the envelope and brought pop elements in to rock music. "I used them as a bedrock for this EP and how I wanted the record to feel." If putting out his 2018 EP wasn't enough to keep Cook busy, that same year he headed to the Great White Way for his Broadway debut in "Kinky Boots" as Charlie Price. "I've had conversations about finding creative outlets outside of being a musician, but the timing was never right." While Cook is excited for his first starring role, he's also aware of how timely and relevant the message behind KINKY BOOTS is right now. "I am honored I am going to be part of this show and get to work with so many amazing people. I love the collaborative aspect of theatre too, the idea of being part of a creative team and working it out in front of an audience each night." Another passion of Cook's is his work with ABC2, a Washington DC-based nonprofit that drives cutting edge research and treatments for brain cancer and brain tumors. "I've been very involved with the charity ABC2 and am very grateful that my career has allowed me to do that. I lost my brother Adam to a brain tumor in 2009; every year I am part of the Race for Hope-DC and my fans alone have raised over 1 million dollars for this charity. Far and away, that is the proudest of all my achievements." Being good for music is something David Cook has strived for ever since he left college to make performing his full-time career. He is well aware, and grateful, for the breaks American Idol has brought his way, and for the opportunities, he continues to have. He has no plans to slow it down. "I love creative endeavors. I like starting with nothing and then finishing with something that didn't exist before. That's my favorite thing about creating new music. I love being able to put something artistic out in the world for people to enjoy." 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 Brady Rymer over Zoom video! How does a '90s rootsy rock star turn his focus to making smart songs for kids? Find out in this conversation with Brady Rymer. This always-smiling songwriter is received three GRAMMY nominations for his friendly family music. He got his start with the NJ rock band From Good Homes, and started to write kids' songs wen his son Gus was born about 20 years ago. Rymer often tours as the bassist with the Laurie Berkner Band. Brady recently collaborated with UK artist David Gibb to created a new album "Songs across the Pond," and he has been very busy this year, recording new music, making music videos, performing virtual concerts for his band and various sponsors and causes. After a decade-long career with RCA Records jam band From Good Homes, recording and touring with acts from the Dave Matthews Band to Bob Dylan and Bob Weir's Ratdog, Brady Rymer ventured into family music as he started his own family, releasing Good Morning, Gus in 2000. Since then, he has released ten CDs, including 2017's GRAMMY-nominated Press Play, 2014's GRAMMY-nominated Just Say Hi! and the 2008 GRAMMY-nominated Here Comes Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could. His most recent album, Under the Big Umbrella, was inspired by and written with students & teachers. It's a collection of songs full of hope for a future with room for everyone. Brady and the Little Band That Could invite us to join them in a place where individuality is celebrated, and kindness wins the day. Rymer's rootsy, accordion-laced pop and rock music regularly wins critical acclaim and national awards including three Children's GRAMMY nominations as well as numerous Parents' Choice Gold and NAPPA (National Parenting Publications) Gold Awards, and has garnered him a growing fan base of enthusiastic families. Together with his longtime bandmates in the Little Band That Could -- outstanding players all, with backgrounds from Americana to Zydeco -- he performs rockin' live music for kids and families across the country at Performing Arts Centers, concert halls, clubs, outdoor festivals, schools and libraries. A special "Let's Move" edition of his tune "Jump Up" was included on the 2013 album Songs for a Healthier America, a compilation of songs produced by Hip Hop Public Health for First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move campaign. To encourage children to get active and make healthy choices, the album is available as a full-length free download on iTunes. Brady's 2011 CD Love Me for Who I Am was inspired by his experience performing for and working with kids with Autism, Asperger's Syndrome and related disorders, and celebrates kids of all abilities. He regularly performs sensory-friendly shows for audiences including children with special needs. Brady's original songs and recordings are included in HBO Family releases A Family Is A Family Is A Family: A Rosie O'Donnell Celebration and Don't Divorce Me. Brady serves on the Education Board of the Long Island Music Hall of Fame, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and celebrating the region's musical heritage. He is a featured performer and composer for ASHA's (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association) Listen To Your Buds Campaign, a hearing health public education campaign to provide parents and children with information about safe usage of personal audio technology. When he's not playing with his own band, Brady plays bass guitar with the Laurie Berkner Band; he also performs a few select shows a year with his 'grown-up' band From Good Homes. He lives on the North Fork of Long Island with his wife, Bridget, and two children Gus and Daisy. 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 an --- 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 Joy Downer over Zoom video! "Joy Downer, she's not a downer at all," says Joy when asked to describes herself. Her debut album Paper Moon was written and recorded with her husband JeffreyDowner in their home studio in Los Angeles over the last three years, the couple drew from a wide range of inspiration from Broadway musicals to disco to punk rock. Joy Downer, born Joy Bishop, grew up as one of 10 kids raised in the Mormon/LDS Church in Jamul, CA. "We lived in a pink house with blue carpet, perched on the top of a hill, with fruit trees and horses,lots of dirt to ride bikes,and a trampoline to get hurt on constantly." Music was a big part of her upbringing. She often found her Mom playing the piano and listening to musicals while her Dad, a drummer in high school, loved playing Beatles songs and listening to classic rock roll and country. No longer a member of the church, she fondly recalls nearly everyone playing instruments and singing and credits those early years of childhood for her love of music. In grade school, Joy used songwriting as a tool to help her remember things."It seemed to be the only way I could retain information," said Joy. "I would also write about my feelings of depression, though I didn't know what depression was at the time,and with no one to open up to about what I was feeling, music was my only form of therapy." As she got older her songs became more romantically themed. Joyrecollects sharing one of these early compositions with her high school boyfriend and, "he suggested I sell my songs to 'a real singer like Britney Spears.'" During her Senior year of high school, Joy was homeschooled so she could devote more time to her modeling career,which for eight years afforded her the chance to travel and live all over the world, including Australia, London, and Los Angeles before landing in NewYork City. While living in New York in 2008, Joy took up an invitation from her brother, Jon Bishop– a member of the band CrashEncore and a DJ at the forefront of the Southern California techno scene – to come visit him in San Diego, where he was recording with his band. After landing,Joy met her brother at Capricorn Studios."Inside the live room playing some really beautiful guitar sat Jeffrey,my brother's new best friend,"Joy recalls of the day she first crossed paths with her husband and partner in life, JeffreyDowner. They played her a new song they'd been working on, and Joy immediately heard a melody which the two encouraged her to track,marking her first-ever studio recording. It was a short trip back to NYC beforeJoy was summoned back by Jon and Jeffrey to continue collaborating with them on the album.This was a turning point in Joy's life. Upon her return to San Diego, Joy was supposed to move in with her brother, only to discover that he'd found a roommate. To Joy and Jeffrey's surprise, Jon suggested that she stay with Jeffrey. "The joke here is that I moved in and never moved out," said Joy. Jeffrey and Joy eventually moved to Los Angeles, so she could get back into modeling while the couple would continue to make music. The city proved expensive, andJoy and Jeffreyfound themselves working multiple jobs just to make ends meet – putting music on the back burner for the next six years. "In 2015I said, screwit! I'm quitting all my jobs and spending six months working on music! I did just that," explains Joy. Her debut solo EP Radio Dreamer– recorded with producer Rob Kolar (Kolars,Lemon Sun) – soon followed in 2017.Rob hit the road with his own band, and Joy, ready to work on her debut LPPaper Moon, made the decision to work at home with Jeffrey. "We've had the opportunity to really strengthen and hone in on our musical capabilities," said Joy of working with her husband. Bringing the album full circle to where her love affair with music began,Joy felt it was important to include her family members on the LP. "I sampled voicemails from both my Mom and Dad, had m --- 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 Kill The Lights over Zoom video! Heavy music exists independent of eras, trends, and borders. It resonates worldwide on the most primal and natural level. Kill The Lights similarly transcend creative and physical boundaries. Uniting original Bullet For My Valentine co-founder Michael "Moose" Thomas [drums] with Throw The Fight frontman James Clark [vocals], Jordan Whelan of Still Remains [guitar], and Travis Montgomery of Threat Signal [guitar], the group seamlessly brings a shared vision to life. Streamed over 1 million times in under a year and hailed by Rock Sound, KERRANG!, Metal Hammer, and more, the quartet imprint tried-and-true metal with 21st century fire on their upcoming Fearless Records full-length debut. "We all loved the idea of having some of those throwback elements with a fresh sound," exclaims James. "We aimed for something classic either a 15-year-old or 50-year-old could enjoy. It came out naturally by virtue of us working together. It's not contrived. We give reverence to our influences, but Kill The Lights is its own entity." "We simply made music with no pressure and wrote what naturally came out," adds Moose. Jordan agrees, "Writing and recording reminded me of how I felt when I cut my first demo at 17-years-old. It was special." Building on a long history, these musicians crossed paths many times throughout their respective careers. Bullet For My Valentine's first stateside jaunt would be with Still Remains as various treks together followed over the years. Meanwhile, Throw The Fight supported Bullet For My Valentine in 2013. During 2017, Moose texted Jordan and set off a chain of events that led to Kill The Lights. "I was at home thinking about how far I've come from the place where I was brought up," recalls Moose. "I couldn't let go of all the passion and hard work, so I sent Jordan a text and asked if he wanted to do something. He started sending me ideas." "Around the same time, Moose put up a post on Facebook inquiring if anybody knew a good singer," smiles James. "I replied that I did!" Developing a bond, James, Jordan, and Moose wrote in Grand Rapids, MI. Adding Travis to the fold, the lineup solidified. Crossing the pond, the guys tracked what would become Sinner in secret alongside producer Colin Richardson [Machine Head, Fear Factory] during three sessions in the UK. They self-funded the process, maintaining its integrity and independence. In order to introduce Kill The Lights, they independently unleashed the first single "The Faceless." A stomping barrage of galloping riffs and fleet-fingered shredding, the track tallied half-a-million streams right out of the gate followed by "Watch You Fall" on its heels. As buzz grew, Fearless Records immediately reached out and signed them. Now, Kill The Lights burst out of the gates with the 2020 single "Shed My Skin." Following an eerie sample and a promise "There will be no mercy, there will be no surrender" punctuated by organ, it storms forward on a gnashing groove before culminating on an arena-ready chant, pummeling percussion, and nimble soloing. "Lyrically, it's about accepting anxiety and depression and recognizing life is very hard sometimes," states James. "We shouldn't be afraid to say it out loud though. People worry about portraying an image. This encourages everyone to let go of those self-imposed barriers and shed the skin. You push through it. In the lyrics, I admit, 'I'm the same as you'. I dealt with stress at 15; I still deal with it. I'm trying to be transparent with listeners." The transparency reaches its apex on "Plagues." In between trudging distortion, James details his battle with cancer via confessional verses and a guttural growl on the hooks. "I had cancer ten years ago," he sighs. "My grandmother and uncle both passed from it. 'Plagues' takes part in the conversation about chemotherapy, knowing someone who may be close to the end, the brokenhearted-ness you feel, but a --- 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 Social Animals over Zoom video! In July, Social Animals shared a new track "Something to Keep Me Awake" via Rise Records. Recorded pre-COVID-19 at Chris Carrabba's home studio (Dashboard Confessional), the track is eerily fitting for this time; a time when each day feels like a struggle and each news bulletin stokes a fire of desiring change, of protest, of restoring faith in humanity. The accompanying video shows footage of the band on the European leg of their tour with Ash which was cut short due to the current crisis along with their North American tour with Beach Slang. "It's hard to watch the news today without a Xanax bar. We recorded 'Something To Keep Me Awake' with our friend Chris Carrabba in his home studio, and he adds some anger through his backing vocals throughout the track. It's fitting because if you're not angry right now, you're not listening. Every morning when I wake up in this strange new world we live in, I have to find new ways to stay motivated and keep myself awake. It'd be easier to sleep through it. But that simply isn't an option. So we're not going to 'wait until this blows over' to share this with you because it shouldn't just blow over. We need to sit with our situation and find out what really matters to us and how we can help. Stay safe out there." Dedric Clark (vocals, guitar) The band has stayed active during quarantine, writing new music and curating performances for live streams on Earmilk, Bandsintown, Dork's Homeschool Festival and more. Prior to their European tour with Ash, Social Animals spent time touring the US with label-mates Angels & Airwaves and they released a string of critically acclaimed singles - "Bad Things," "Best Years," and "Get Over It" - via a limited edition 7" this Spring to widespread praise from Billboard, Flaunt, American Songwriter, Sirius XM's Alt Nation, The Current, Triple J, Clash, Dork, Upset, and more. Social Animals' new single "Something to Keep Me Awake" is available to stream HERE via all DSPs and you can watch the video HERE. With more new music on the way, stay tuned to www.riserecords.com for all up-to-date information. Dedric Clark (vocals, guitar) - Tony Petersen (guitar) - Boyd Smith (drums) - Roger Whittet (bass) 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 KOLIDESCOPES over Zoom video! Rising intercontinental electronic duo KOLIDESCOPES are fresh off the release of the KOLIDESCOPES written and produced, UK #1 single - Joel Corry & MNEK's "Head & Heart." The duo recently released their eagerly anticipated single, "Torn," offering an ideal introduction to the rising duo's ambitious artistic approach, blending richly textured melancholia with a euphoric positivity and shimmering energy equally suited for sweltering summer days and long dark nights. KOLIDESCOPES – a.k.a. acclaimed musician/producers Johnny Courtidis and Dan Dare. Courtidis first made waves a one half of Melbourne, Australia-based indie-house duo Parachute Youth, whose 2012 single "Can't Get Better Than This" reached #1 in nine countries, earning platinum sales and more than 50 million streams. Meanwhile, London-based Dan Dare also proved an in-demand songwriter and producer, collaborating with Charli XCX, Marina & The Diamonds, and Giggs, to name but a few. Upon meeting at Matrix, Courtidis and Dare each immediately recognized a kindred spirit and quickly bonded over their tough childhoods and shared love of music. Together they have created series of spectacular songs, sumptuously melodic, synth-led soundtracks tinged with a touch of sorrow hinting at their past lives. Tracks such as "Focus," "All My Love," and "Foundations" proved worldwide club favorites while also drawing acclaim from the likes of Earmilk, which raved, "KOLIDESCOPES bring sophisticated production and big city lights energy to our day…No matter what season we're in, KOLIDESCOPES' feel good vibes will always be welcome in our house." 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 Nightly over Zoom video! Nightly, formed by cousins Jonathan Capeci and Joey Beretta, and drummer Nick Sainato, have released a steady stream of music since their 2016 debut honest EP, which featured the 10 million-plus streamed single "XO." With a fresh start to 2020, the band released an alternate version of their cinematic track "the movies (ft Charli Adams)," followed by the upbeat breakup anthem "you should probably just hang up." On August 21, the band released their new single "summer" along with the announcement of their debut album, "night, love you" out October 16th. 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 Terrell Hines over Zoom audio! Terrell Hines shares his thrillingly inventive and eclectic new project, Portal One: The Mixtape. Released via Capitol Records, Portal One: The Mixtape is the debut mixtape from the boldly original songwriter/vocalist/multi-instrumentalist/producer. LISTEN: https://terrellhines.lnk.to/POTM Co-produced by Hines, Portal One: The Mixtape features his powerful and politically charged recent single "Get Up (with Vince Staples)" — a collaboration with Vince Staples that's earned acclaim from tastemakers like Rolling Stone, Brooklyn Vegan (who hailed it as "a dose of kinetic art-funk") and The FADER (who praised the track's "forceful, heart-racing peak"). Meanwhile, Rolling Stone noted that Staples's verse on "Get Up (with Vince Staples)" "perfectly com­plements the still-relevant urgency Hines packed into the original." Along with "Get Up (with Vince Staples)," Portal One: The Mixtape includes previously released singles like "Balance," "Wu Dirt," "St. Mark Rd.," and "Promise." Over the course of nine dynamic tracks, Hines delivers a genre-blurring sound informed by artists as disparate as OutKast, Joy Division, and Four Tet, infusing each song with the kinetic energy of live guitar, drums, bass, keys, and strings. To that end, Portal One: The Mixtape also showcases the polymathic musicality honed in part through his studies at The Berklee College of Music (which Hines attended on a full-ride scholarship). True to his hyper-creative tendencies, Hines created a visual component for all nine tracks while in quarantine, shooting his own videos with the help of a green screen. A consummate artist's artist, Hines recently appeared on the title track to Beck's 2019 album Hyperspace. Also in 2019, Hines's saw a major rise in his profile when his music was used in an Apple Keynote. Despite never having released an album or toured in the U.S., he's now amassed more than two million streams. An even split of postmodern and post-apocalyptic, Hines's music is the outcome of relentlessly pursuing his many obsessions. He's a renaissance man who spends his downtime devouring books on linguistics, synesthesia, or evolutionary psychology — or considering which metals one would want to gather following a catastrophe, then sampling those metals in the studio. "I'm trying to engineer the future," says Hines. 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 Rena Strober over Zoom video! From New York to Los Angeles, Rena Strober is praised for her Broadway performances, TV roles, Voice-Over Work and her 1-woman show Spaghetti & Matzo Balls!. She has also received rave reviews for her album Finding Home. Rena appeared on Broadway as Cosette in Les Miserables, and starred opposite Betty Buckely, Peter Scolari in the Off-Broadway comedy White's Lies. Her 1- woman show, Spaghetti & Matzo Balls!, has run Off-Broadway in NY, Los Angeles and in Leeds, England to enlightened and entertained, sold out houses. Rena toured the country with Fiddler on the Roof as Tzeitel playing opposite Topol, Harvey Fierstein & Theo Bikel. Rena originated the role of Tonya in the pre-Broadway production of Zhivago (Directed by Des McNuff) at the La Jolla Playhouse for which she was awarded the Outer Critics Circle Award. Rena is a recurring guest star on the Disney Channel's Liv & Maddie playing Liv's wacky manager Becky Bickelhoff. She has also been seen playing Chuckie's attourney Emily Knowland on Shameless and her voice has been heard recently on The Big Bang Theory. Her voice is also heard on dozens of animated cartoons including DisneyXD's PENN ZERO, EVER AFTER HIGH and dozens of popular video games. On stage in Los Angeles Rena received rave reviews for her performance in STONEFACE: The Rise & Fall of Buster Keaton at the Pasadena Playhouse. She played Norma Talmadge & Eleanor Keaton alongside French Stewart.(3rd Rock from the Sun & MOM) Earlier this year Rena worked with Jason Alexander on another LA premiere of When You're in Love the Whole World is Jewish. Rena's first feature film Waiting in the Wings: The Musical Movie has been playing at film festivals around the world! Some of Rena's proudest moments are singing 'God Bless America' at home plate at Shea Stadium and belting out the National Anthem on the dais for the infamous Friar's Roasts. Rena is one of the youngest members of the NY Friar's Club. Rena also sings the national anthem for NASA for rocket launches and most recently at JPL for the landing of the Mars Rover Curiosity. When Rena is not working as an actor, she is found teaching voice for the Academy of Music for the Blind. Her students range from 4-17 years old and all live with no vision. The Academy recently recieved a grant from Josh Groban's foundation Find Your Light. For more information on this incredible music school, please visit www.ouramb.org Rena currently lives and works in LA. 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/