Bringin' it Backwards

We had the pleasure of interviewing Mereki over Zoom video! Australian/English savant of purposeful pop Mereki releases her debut solo album Death of a Cloud. Created over seven years and three continents, in collaboration with a roster of the artists Mereki trusted most to bring this deeply personal and intuitively conceived material to life, the album is a look into the joy and difficulty of self-realization and finding the universe within, expressing this journey through music – Stream. The album release comes along with the news of Mereki signing with BMG. Proving her success as an independent artist, her progress will be furthered through the creative efforts of BMG along with her own label BunBun Records. Leading up to her album release, Mereki put out the singles "Presence" and "Twin Flame." The creation of "Presence" stemmed from Mereki getting inspired by the guitars reverberating through the walls while in a writing room above the studio where Dhani Harrison and Graham Coxon of Blur were recording. After she began singing a melody that became the first verse, she shared it with Harrison, and then the two were motivated to work together to complete Mereki's composition. "Twin Flame" sentimentally arrived the same week as Valentine's Day as a hymn to kindred spirits. Her singles were met with praise from the likes of Notion, Beats Per Minute, Soundazed and Mundane Mag, as well as editorial support from Spotify's infamous Lorem playlist, making the artist's return her strongest streaming to date. At the end of 2022, Mereki and her Be Kind charity partnered with the Happy Baby Community for a Presents for Presence holiday fundraiser. The campaign helped raise money, awareness, and much needed supplies for asylum-seeking new mothers and their babies. Happy Baby Community provides a holistic approach to healing which includes long term support for both mothers and children. ABOUT MEREKI: Indie Australian/English artist Mereki creates pop with a purpose – vibrant musical worlds that share messages of transcendence and healing without sacrificing the fun. Now based in the UK, she first moved from her native Australia to the USA where she quickly found a home in the spiritually minded creative community of the east side of Los Angeles, collaborating with an impressive collection of producers, writers, and musicians as she refined her song writing and voice, laying the foundations for what was to come. Mereki began writing and releasing music with esteemed writers & producers Dan Nigro (Olivia Rodrigo, Conan Gray, Caroline Polachek) and Justin Raisen (Charli XCX, Sky Ferreira). GRAMMY-nominated superstar producer Ariel Rechtshaid (HAIM, Vampire Weekend, Madonna, Adele) spotted her talent, prompting their collaboration, "Golden Boy", recorded by fellow Australian icon Kylie Minogue. She scored writing credits with Phantogram and Atrak, and guest artist and co-writer credit on tracks with Dhani Harrison, Goldroom, Basenji, Flight Facilities and Holychild. While fronting Goldroom, she performed everywhere from middle America to NYC to Bogotá, Colombia, before going on to perform with electronic act Flight Facilities as their featured vocalist on the duo's sold out North American tour. Kindness and magic are at the backbone of everything Mereki aims to be and be around in her music and in her life. She finds expression for her message in many creative outlets. In addition to music, she is also working on a record label, a children's book, a book of poetry and a collection of portrait photography. In 2016, Mereki created Mereki's Clubhouse, a pop-up event platform with a focus on kindness and creating spaces to give a voice to up-and-coming female artists. The Clubhouse motto "Be Kind" grew into a non-profit organization of the same name. Through all her work with and for others, Mereki found time to create her own music. Her debut solo single, "Blue Lake", was released to critical acclaim from the likes of Spin, Nylon and Flood Magazine. After enduring some personal tragedy and heartbreak, she found catharsis in a brief foray into high-energy punk rock, releasing a few singles that landed her music in a Victoria's Secret commercial. In 2017, Mereki returned to the essence of who she truly is with the release of the Beach EP. The songs on Beach have Mereki's signature style, a distinctly pop-feel with positive messaging, while tracks like "Spiritual", "French Kissing" and "Got It All" also hold an ethereal, dreamy quality. Mereki's return to music marks what has already been an extraordinary year for her, including her UK live debut at the legendary Glastonbury Festival 2022, alongside appearances at a host of UK festivals and headlining shows in London. We want to hear from you! Please email Hello@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #Mereki #DeathOfACloud #NewMusic #Zoom Listen & Subscribe to BiB https://www.bringinitbackwards.com/follow/ Follow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! https://www.facebook.com/groups/bringinbackpod 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 Ryan Oakes over Zoom video! Rising alt/hip hop artist Ryan Oakes recently released his debut album WAKE UP via Position Music, and he shared the last single prior to release. Teaming with AViVA, Oakes drops "GROUND ZERO" where he tears through bars with tenacity, only for the chorus to ponder, "Am I losing my mind?" "You can be your own worst enemy," Ryan says. "You can be super self-destructive, slow your own soul down, and get in your own way if you think too much. It's a moral battle with yourself." AViVA shares, "In 'GROUND ZERO' I wanted to highlight the journey it takes to get to a place of resilience and coming back to the line, again and again, no matter the knockbacks." The video for "GROUND ZERO" is the final chapter of a story Ryan has been telling via his music and accompanying visuals over the course of the last several months. "We wanted to go above and beyond with the visuals for this album. We wanted to set a new standard, instead of a bunch of individual videos, they ended up being one large cohesive video split into clips that tells a story," he explains. "It follows me through Slumberland which is a clothing brand I've built alongside my music, where all my nightmares come true. I "WAKE UP" in a lab and finally escape only to come home to find my psychotic girlfriend has turned into a robot killing machine. Upon making my escape, she jumps in the car with me (which is the "GROUND ZERO" video) and I drive us off of a cliff — inevitably killing us both, essentially ending the loop where I "WAKE UP" and start the entire thing over again." GROUND ZERO Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrFsFVeJO8Y In support of WAKE UP, Oakes will be embarking on his first-ever headline tour. The "WAKE UP" dates kicked off May 14 in Phoenix, AZ and concludes on June 2 in Los Angeles, CA with a show at the Peppermint Club. The tour makes stops in, among other markets, Nashville, TN, Chicago, IL and in Brooklyn for a show at Baby's All Right on May 24. Layto and Cherie Amour will support on select dates. In addition, Oakes is also confirmed for the Welcome To Rockville festival in Daytona Beach, FL on Friday, May 19, the Louder Than Life Festival September 21 - 24 in Louisville, KY, as well as the Aftershock Festival in Sacramento, CA on October 8. Over the past ten years and across over 250 tracks, Ryan has built an empire in true DIY fashion with no label or team behind him. Along the way he cemented himself in the alternative and rap music zeitgeist through his distinct brand of left-of-center punk and biting alt/hip hop. Now signed to Position Music and working with a number of producers including Zach Jones, Jayden Seeley, Matty Beats and Curtis Martin, Oakes is ready to release WAKE UP, his first LP. Ryan has been sharing hints of what is to come on WAKE UP via the release of several singles that fans and press alike have latched onto as they have garnered over 4 million streams collectively. They include "RUINED (with Ekoh), DOWN, which tells the story of Oakes' personal mental health journey, "WAKE UP," "HEAVYWEIGHT" with alt rock phenom Loveless, and his collab with Epitaph Records' Magnolia Park, "WHITE FLAG," a trap rap-meets-punk explosion, and last month's piano-laden "SPACESHIP" with Abigail Osborn. We want to hear from you! Please email Hello@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #RyanOakes #WakeUp #GroundZero #NewMusic #Zoom Listen & Subscribe to BiB https://www.bringinitbackwards.com/follow/ Follow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! https://www.facebook.com/groups/bringinbackpod 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 Minelli over Zoom video! "And I'll be right back to brighten up your days", is not just some lyric from one of the songs on Minelli's newest album. It is a promise guaranteed to be kept as soon as you press play on Silver & Gold - Chapter II. The album contains the perfect synergy of pop dance and EDM, sprinkled across 14 fresh and effervescent songs. So, get ready to jump and get high on music with Minelli's newest release. Silver & Gold | Chapter II represents Minelli's vision and inspirations that she gained, traveling around the world to find the perfect pitch for her youngest new-born. The artist was not alone in this journey, as great names in production and songwriting such as Freedo (Chainsmokers, Rita Ora, Galantis, Ava Max), Jordan Shaw (Afrojack, Armin van Buuren) or Yoshi Breen (Tiesto, Karol G, Lost Frequencies) collaborated with her. Minelli teased you with three songs that you already know, 'Think About U', 'Could Be Something', and 'Deep Sea', and now she is coming with 11 more: 'Silver & Gold', 'Maracatu", 'Crazy', 'Tonight', 'Drinks on Mi', 'Stay Awake', 'Vitamin U', 'Routine', 'Memories', 'Don't U Worry' and 'Kill the Lights' and she is excited to know which one is your favorite. Minelli is one of the most successful Eastern European singers and songwriters, having written many hits for famous artists, such as 'UP' and 'Flashbacks' for INNA, or 'Addicted' for Sickotoy. Her releases, 'Rampampam' and 'Nothing Hurts', have dominated the music charts globally, cumulating over 185 million streams and over 350 million views. 'Rampampam' even reached number #4 in the Global Shazam top and #1 in Global Dance Shazam for several weeks. In addition, 'Deep Sea', her song in collaboration with the famous DJ, R3HAB, landed on some of the most prominent Spotify and Apple Music playlists while receiving airplay throughout Europe. Talking about 'Silver & Gold – Chapter II, Minelli said: "It is here, and it is yours. From now on, this album is not just mine, but yours to play with, enjoy and share the best memories on it. May my songs be the soundtrack to your own movie, to your own most fabulous and fun adventures. I hope you enjoy the mix and match between Pop, Dance and EDM that I have baked for you for almost two years. All the love." We want to hear from you! Please email Hello@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #Minelli #SilverandGold #SilverandGoldChapterII #Rampampam #NewMusic #Zoom Listen & Subscribe to BiB https://www.bringinitbackwards.com/follow/ Follow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! https://www.facebook.com/groups/bringinbackpod 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 Max Bennett Kelly over Zoom video! Seattle-born/LA-based artist, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Max Bennett Kelly has shared his new single & horror film-inspired music video "2AM," available to stream now on all DSPs worldwide via AWAL. The song will be included on Max's debut forthcoming EP Junk Male, out June 23rd. The track was co-written and produced by Lil Aaron and Twenty One Pilots guitarist Dan Geraghty, and also features backing vocals from Lil Aaron. "2AM" is a love song from a guy who's addicted to endless arguments and melodrama. In the context of the full EP, it's the low point at which the narrator realizes what was once a casual relationship is beginning to bring out his worst traits. "He needs to exit - fast - but before he does, he's going to throw one last Hail Mary love song and try to salvage the doomed romance," explains Max. "Except, this isn't the first time he's tried. He's been here before, and he's not going anywhere soon until he realizes the self-destructive loop he's caught in." The song's corresponding music video is a tribute to found-footage horror films. Picking up where the "Superinlove" video ends, "2AM" reveals more about the Junk Male cinematic universe. Shot on VHS and played in reverse, we see the events of one fateful witching hour as protagonist Hollywood Thompson disposes of the evidence of his crimes from the short film's storyline. Max Bennett Kelly strikes a sweet spot between sticky hooks, unpredictable soundscapes, and cleverly candid storytelling with head-turning lyrics. Amassing tens of millions of streams and earning instant acclaim from fans around the world, he unspools his story on his forthcoming Junk Male EP, its accompanying short film shot entirely on 360 cam, and much more to come. In 2021, Max shared a snippet of "Happy, Healthy, Well-Adjusted," and it lit up TikTok. Beyond millions of views, he even caught the attention of NETFLIX who made their own TikTok about it. He picked up steam at DSPs, generating north of 11.4 million Spotify streams and allowing him to focus on music full-time. "I was doing crazy shit to get by," he laughs. "I was even participating in clinical trials and taking pharmaceutical drugs for money." Surviving any side effects (that he's aware of), he maintained his momentum with "Birthday" in 2022 followed by "Always Never Again" and "Broke." Throughout 2023, he assembled what would become Junk Male. Taking the reins, he personally produced and mixed the project, recording on vintage gear to achieve a definitive vision. At the same time, he opened up lyrically. The EP details the story of a kid chasing his dream. In a twist, this protagonist transforms into very worst and most toxic version of himself in the process, i.e. "Junk Male"—only to double back around a little wiser and more understanding than before. "I tried to make an authentic 90s album in the 2020s," Max explains. "I studied all of these classic records. Thematically, it's a hero's journey. I heed the call to adventure, find out it kind of sucks, and end up learning about myself. I don't have to be this Junk Male version of myself anymore. I'm in touch with what's important to me, what I like, and why I came to L.A. in the first place." We want to hear from you! Please email Hello@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #MaxBennettKelly #JunkMale #2am #NewMusic #Zoom Listen & Subscribe to BiB https://www.bringinitbackwards.com/follow/ Follow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! https://www.facebook.com/groups/bringinbackpod 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 Anna Shoemaker over Zoom video! Following her spellbinding release of "Holly," indie-pop starlet Anna Shoemaker returns with an enchanting new single "I Think I" via +1 Records. This is the second single from her forthcoming EP Hey Anna due this June. On par with the cottage-core-themed "Holly" video, the video for "I Think I" finds Shoemaker ditching the goats and high-tailing it into the woods, hellbent on (literally) burying her past. "This is the first song I wrote after I released my first body of work. Like a lot of my songs, this song is what I want to scream out loud," Anna says. "It's about self-acceptance and knowing in your bones that you will be okay, especially when you're spiraling. It's about promising to do your best and holding yourself to a standard… even if your best that day means just feeding your cat and sitting on the fire escape of your apartment in a T-Shirt and underwear." We want to hear from you! Please email Hello@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #AnnaShoemaker #Holly #NewMusic #Zoom Listen & Subscribe to BiB https://www.bringinitbackwards.com/follow/ Follow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! https://www.facebook.com/groups/bringinbackpod 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 Abbey Cone over Zoom video! Independent country vocal powerhouse Abbey Cone shares the official video for her latest single, "If You Were A Song." CMT shared the worldwide premiere of the video yesterday (5.9.23) on CMT, CMT Music, CMT Equal Play on PlutoTV, and CMT.com, as well as debuted on the Paramount billboard in Times Square. Co-directed and co-produced by Cone and Midtown Motion and shot in Nashville's Music Row during golden hour, the video transports viewers into a love scene straight from an indie film. The video captures the song's cinematic sound, which Cone describes as fresh, polished, and confidently her. Official video: "If You Were A Song" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mZrFpBWupI Released on April 24th as Cone's first release as an independent musician, "If You Were A Song" centers around a love so strong, it's melodious. The track is filled with raw emotion and bound with her beautiful twang, showcasing Cone's most authentic music to date. The song has already landed her on the cover of Spotify's Fresh Finds Country, plus placements on Spotify's Fresh Finds, Next From Nashville, and New Music Friday Country, and Apple Music's Sound Check and New In Country. Known for her emotionally resonant songwriting filled with palpable realness and vulnerability, Cone's music connects with the newest generation of Country listeners and beyond, landing her induction into CMT's Next Women of Country Class of 2020 and recognition on Pandora's 10 Country Artists To Watch in 2022. Cone recently made her Stagecoach debut on the T Mobile Mane Stage, and has toured with Tanya Tucker, Brittney Spencer, Abby Anderson, and the CMT Next Women Of Country Tour with Maddie & Tae and Sacha. This summer, she is set to play CMA Fest at the Maui Jim Stage. We want to hear from you! Please email Hello@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #AbbeyCone #IfYouWereASong #NewMusic #Zoom Listen & Subscribe to BiB https://www.bringinitbackwards.com/follow/ Follow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! https://www.facebook.com/groups/bringinbackpod 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 Begonia over Zoom video! Powder Blue, the highly anticipated new album from Begonia—the solo project of alt-pop Canadian artist Alexa Dirks—is out now on Birthday Cake Records. The album was written and produced by Begonia, Matt Peters and Matthew Schellenberg (Royal Canoe) with contributions from Jason Agel (Björk, Kelly Clarkson, Prince) and Joe LaPorta (FKA twigs, beabadoobee, Solange). The new collection of songs wrestles with life's thornier moments in more evocative ways. When describing the namesake behind the new album, Powder Blue, Begonia turns to vivid imagery: her baby blanket, the airiness of clouds on a summer day, chlorine-filled water in a hotel pool, circa-1970s Elvis Presley wearing an ill-fitting jumpsuit and her collection of faded denim jackets. Ahead of the project, Begonia shared album singles "Married By Elvis," "Cold Night" and "Right Here" which received critical acclaim from CBC, Wonderland, Line of Best Fit, Indie88, Daily Star and Globe & Mail. In celebration of the new album, Begonia is set for a run of U.S. shows in select cities this spring. The dates include a performance at New York's Mercury Lounge as well as further shows at Los Angeles' Hotel Cafe, Nashville's The Basement, Portland's Hawthorne Lounge and Seattle's Sunset Tavern. More dates to be announced soon. Powder Blue follows Begonia's 2017 EP Lady In Mind and debut album Fear, released in 2019 to widespread critical praise. Fear received a nomination for Alternative Album of the Year at the 2019 Juno Awards and also earned Begonia a nod for Polaris Music Prize. As Begonia, Alexa Dirks creates bold, surprising pop that is tempered with sensitivity and wisdom. In her music, Begonia leans hard into a sense of arrival. Whether it's learning to come into her own or processing a brutal heartbreak, Dirks' intimate lyrics and audacious sound allows for her audience to relate to the messiness of life with an honesty that is refreshing. Despite the turmoil from which it emerged, Powder Blue represents Dirks feeling settled by coming to terms with her past and present—from religious conflict to exploring sexuality and managing mental health, the new album finds Dirks wrestling with life's thornier moments in more evocative ways. We want to hear from you! Please email Hello@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #Begonia #PowderBlue #LadyInMind #Fear #NewMusic #Zoom Listen & Subscribe to BiB https://www.bringinitbackwards.com/follow/ Follow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! https://www.facebook.com/groups/bringinbackpod 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 Real Friends over Zoom video! Illinois-based band REAL FRIENDS have released their brand new EP 'There's Nothing Worse Than Too Late' out now via Pure Noise Records. The EP, features previously released singles 'Tell Me You're Sorry' and 'Always Lose', was produced by Andrew Wade (A Day To Remember, Neck Deep) and mixed by Kris Crummett (The Callous Daoboys, Knuckle Puck.) Speaking about the new EP the band said "'There's Nothing Worse Than Too Late' was written and recorded over the last year and half. We went back to some of our earlier influences for it. When writing, we kept referencing more timeless bands like The Starting Line, Taking Back Sunday, Jimmy Eat World and many others. It has always been important for us to write songs that are timeless, but that was in the front of our minds more than ever when compiling TNWTTL. We want our fans to go back and listen to these songs in five or ten years and still feel something. Lyrically it touches on depression, death, cutting long lasting ties for good and many other heavy subject matters. At the end of it all, if our fans feel less alone because of these songs then it's a success in our eyes." The band spoke on the latest single from the EP and said "'Six Feet' is a song about longing to be loved and appreciated while you're still here. I always see and hear good things said about people after something bad happens to them or after they pass away. I think we all need reminders to appreciate our loved ones that are alive, healthy and right in front of us. This song is that reminder to ourselves and our fans." About Real Friends: For as much as the world has changed since Real Friends first emerged in 2010, the band's mission hasn't. They continue to bleed without apology and write songs that make it okay to feel everything: the ups, the downs, and anything else in between. Rather than shy away from emotion, the group runs right towards it with distortion cranked and hearts opened, tightening their careful distillation of pop and punk on each subsequent release. When the band—Dave Knox [lead guitar], Kyle Fasel [bass], Eric Haines [rhythm guitar], and Brian Blake [drums]—welcomed vocalist Cody Muraro in 2020, the goal stayed the same as they crafted new music for Pure Noise Records. Over the years, Real Friends has forged and strengthened a deep connection with fans. The group's 2014 full-length debut, Maybe This Place Is the Same and We're Just Changing, marked a turning point. Rock Sound named it one of the "Top 50 Albums of the Year." 2016's The Home Inside My Head maintained this momentum with further acclaim and sold-out shows. In 2018, Composure incited applause from Music Connection, Alternative Press, Substream Magazine, New Noise, and Billboard who described it as "raw." To date, they've also amassed over 100 million streams and counting. We want to hear from you! Please email Hello@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #RealFriends #TheresNothingWorseThanTooLate #NewMusic #Zoom Listen & Subscribe to BiB https://www.bringinitbackwards.com/follow/ Follow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! https://www.facebook.com/groups/bringinbackpod 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 Atmosphere over Zoom video! Minneapolis hip-hop pioneers Atmosphere have shared a new single off their forthcoming album So Many Other Realities Exist Simultaneously, out today via Rhymesayers Entertainment. The duo recently announced Summertime 2023, a North American tour with Slightly Stoopid, Sublime with Rome, and The Movement, which comes on the heels of their European tour, The ConTour. Prior to the run of North American dates, Atmosphere will appear at California Roots Festival, Summer Greens, and two shows at Williwaw Social in Anchorage, Alaska. The run of tour dates will culminate with a headline show at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on September 17th. Atmosphere currently holds the record for the most sold out shows at Red Rocks for any Hip Hop artist with nine sellouts since 2011.We want to hear from you! Please email Hello@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #Atmosphere #Slug #SoManyOtherRealitiesExistSimultaneously #NewMusic #Zoom Listen & Subscribe to BiB https://www.bringinitbackwards.com/follow/ Follow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! https://www.facebook.com/groups/bringinbackpod 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 Whitehurst of Survival Guide and Tsunami Bomb over Zoom video! "Music is crucial to my survival!" said Emily Whitehurst. "Survival Guide is one woman trying to shape her own place in this world as a musician." An electronic indie-pop artist with a background in punk, Emily is the solo force behind Survival Guide. Her danceable tunes evoke a sonic birthday cake: alternating layers of Depeche Mode, Metric, Peter Gabriel, and Grimes, with vibrant melodies and vocals the icing on top. A California native now residing in Texas, Emily's music obsession began with Green Day, leading her to a dreams-come-true life of punk rock as she traversed continents fronting the band Tsunami Bomb as "Agent M." Over the years, her music gradually shifted toward synth pop in The Action Design, then further into the electronic indie-pop realm as Survival Guide. Originally a duo, Survival Guide's first album, Way To Go, – dubbed "passion behind an electronic soul" by New Noise Magazine – was released in 2015. It was around this time when Survival Guide slowly, amicably yet painfully became a solo act, leaving Whitehurst unsure of what to do next. Never having written or performed music alone, she considered everything from starting a new band to quitting music altogether. After a major geographical shift, an acoustic album, and some solo touring, she's finally ready to return as a solo Survival Guide. The newly released, alter-ego Survival Guide debuted in January with RHV1.5 (short for Request Hotline, Vol. 1.5): featuring two intriguing dance-party reimaginings of AFI's "Totalimmortal" and "Girl's Not Grey on Side A alongside two contemplative Misfits piano-serenade covers ("Skulls" and "Hybrid Moments") on Side B. With only 500 copies pressed on randomly colored vinyl, RHV1.5 is also a taster for the 11-track, digital-only Request Hotline, Vol. 2, featuring all songs from the 7" plus an eclectic array of further punk covers from Green Day, Runaways, Avril Lavigne, Distillers, Tony Sly, Sleater-Kinney, and Maybe Tomorrow, each with its own bold and unique Survival Guide treatment. We want to hear from you! Please email Hello@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #McKinleyDixon #BelovedParadiseJazz #RunRunRun #NewMusic #Zoom Listen & Subscribe to BiB https://www.bringinitbackwards.com/follow/ Follow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! https://www.facebook.com/groups/bringinbackpod Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bringin-it-backwards--4972373/support. https://bringinitbackwards.com/