Bringin' it Backwards

We had the pleasure of interviewing Sam Hollander Zoom video! Sam Hollander has spent thirty years trudging through the peaks and valleys of a songwriting career. Before he was stacking Billboard hits, he was piling up bad luck, calamitous flops, false starts, and feeling like the world was moving on and up without him while he spun in place. Now he wears his failures like a badge of honor. In 21-Hit Wonder, he's collected anecdotes from his weird waltzes around the banquet of pop to help aspiring songwriters and other creatives learn about survival, endurance, scheming, hustle, and the importance of laughing even on the worst days of the journey. Music lovers spanning generations and genres will find stories about many of their heroes and industry icons. 21-Hit Wonder is one part chronicle of a songwriter's storied career and another part love letter to anyone who has been counted out—from no-hit wonders and one-hit wonders to the novelties and the never-beens—and just needs a bit of inspiration to persevere. Sam's inspiring story is proof that setbacks are just steps on the road to success. As one of the most renowned multi-platinum selling songwriters and producers in the game, SAM HOLLANDER has written and produced for the likes of Panic! At The Disco, One Direction, Katy Perry, Weezer, Def Leppard, blink-182, Fitz and the Tantrums, Train, Ringo Starr, Carole King, Tyga, The O'Jays, Gym Class Heroes, and many others. To date, he has achieved 22 US Top 40 Hits, as well as 10 Number 1's, 10 top fives, and 87 Top 10 chart positions globally. His songs have been streamed over 5 billion times, and in 2019, he held the #1 position on the Billboard Rock Songwriters chart for nine weeks, a year-end record. Sam has also been chosen to be on Variety's Hitmakers list, as well as being named Rolling Stone's Hot List Producer of the Year in 2008. Hollander's career has recently hit new heights from collaborations with Fitz and the Tantrums' multi-platinum worldwide hit, "HandClap" (one-billion-streams) and eight songs he co-penned on Panic! At The Disco's Billboard 200 No. 1 album Pray For The Wicked, including the 5x platinum, billion streamed record-breaking global hit "High Hopes" and "Hey Look Ma, I Made It!" which replaced "High Hopes" at No. 1 on the Hot Rock Songs chart. Other notable recent successes include writing Banners' platinum hit, "Someone To You," Blink-182's Alternative Top 10 single "Blame It On My Youth", James TW's worldwide platinum hit "When You Love Someone" and writing and producing two songs on the legendary Ringo Starr's recent release "What's My Name." He's currently writing and producing the music for NBC'S fall 2021 new drama series Ordinary Joe. We want to hear from you! Please email Hello@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #SamHollander #21HitWonder #Songwriter #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 Devon Cole Zoom video! Toronto-based alt-pop singer and songwriter Devon Cole is back with her new single, "Call U After Rehab," out now on Arista Records. Following her hit singles like "W.I.T.C.H." and "Hey Cowboy," "Call U After Rehab" exemplifies Devon's softer side. "'Call U After Rehab' is my most vulnerable release yet," says Devon. "It's a love song about pausing a relationship in order to take care of myself. I was putting off my issues for a while and finding any way to justify my bad habits. Deciding to say goodbye to my closest comforts, to give myself the space and time to heal, felt like ripping off a bandaid that had been there for ages. And this release kind of feels the same, in some ways. I hope people can relate by interpreting the rehab idea however they want to." Catchily packaging social truths in repeat worthy pop bops, 24-year-old Devon Cole has quietly emerged as an enigmatic and engaging force to be reckoned with over the past year. Her buzzing smash "W.I.T.C.H." (Woman in Total Control of Herself) has eclipsed 70 million streams and counting. Following this success, she maintained her momentum with the endlessly catchy sex-positive anthem "Hey Cowboy." Since signing to Arista Records in 2022, Devon has reached the precipice of a major breakthrough. She's already amassed millions of streams across her repertoire, received critical acclaim from tastemakers Billboard, BUSTLE and EARMILK, and recently nabbed a 2023 Juno Award nomination for 'Breakthrough Artist of the Year' and a 2023 Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Award nomination for Favorite Breakout Artist. Devon Cole 2023 Tour Dates March 17 - Austin, TX @ Mohawk (Indoors) @ 1PM March 17 - Austin, TX @ Carpenter Hotel @ 9:30PM April 13 - Montreal, QC @ Petit Campus* April 14 - Ottawa, ON @ Bronson Centre* April 15 - Toronto, ON @ The Danforth Music Hall* May 23 - Vancouver, BC @ Hollywood Theatre* *supporting Valley We want to hear from you! Please email Hello@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #DevonCole #WITCH #WomanInTotalControlOfHerself #CallUAfterRehab #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 Arlissa Zoom video! In 2018, singer/songwriter Arlissa delivered her breakout hit "Hearts Ain't Gonna Lie," where she sings about the reality of truth always peeking through in life and love. It's something that's become the 26-year-old German-born, south London-bred artist's trademark, where her lyrics reflect a genuine authenticity that channels multiple dimensions of feeling. At 15, she set foot in her first studio, though she would take the next few years of her life to perfect her artistry. Label interest was there, as Arlissa signed to a major UK label on the spot at 19, though the fit wasn't quite right. "In retrospect, it was the hastiest decision I ever made." Arlissa fell victim to marketing machines driving her in a different direction than she imagined. In 2018 she earned her first Gold plaque penning the M-22 track "First Time'' featuring Medina, as well as co-writing global phenomenon BTS's hit "Spring Day"—the first ever K-Pop song to enter Billboard's Bubbling Under Hot 100 list—where Arlissa's signature vocals are heard throughout the track. She reached a personal milestone being featured within the pages of Vogue and assisting in the scoring of the film The Hate U Give with her intoxicating song "We Won't Move" on the movie's soundtrack. Her inimitable vocals and keen sense of songwriting are front and center, more reminiscent of past legends, as Arlissa represents for the future of singer/songwriters. Arlissa linked with producers Martin Terefe (Mike Posner's "I Took A Pill In Ibiza '') and Matt Schwartz (YUNGBLUD and Halsey ft. Travis Barker's "11 Minutes' ') for the lead single "Running," a smooth track with an impactful story attached to it. Trading ballads in for more varied tempos, Arlissa adds feeling to her lyrics with beats that can live anywhere: the car, the radio, the dance floor. Teaming with other producers like Jesse Shatkin (Sia's "Chandelier") and super producer No I.D. helped sharpen her vision for the project. The result is a detailed musical journey where each song represents a different side of Arlissa and an intimate look at an artist who's been living her life in the fast lane. We want to hear from you! Please email Hello@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #Arlissa #TheOpenHearted #Running #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 Brynn Cartelli Zoom video! Acclaimed 19-year-old singer-songwriter Brynn Cartelli recently released her poignant new single "Secondhand Smoke." A heartbreaking, yet empowering track about finding freedom from a toxic situation, the effort highlights Cartelli's mature songcraft and knack at penning emotive, high-impact pop music. After teasing the song on TikTok for months leading up to its release, "Secondhand Smoke" has already become a favorite among fans, with non-stop pleas for Cartelli to share the full offering. The single is available now on all streaming platforms, paired with an accompanying visualizer. Cartelli commented, "I wrote 'Secondhand Smoke' during a challenging time in my life where I was trying to escape a certain situation; I was feeling anxious since I hadn't moved past that period yet. The song came about in anticipation for the hopeful future of freedom I knew was coming next. I hope listeners feel free from a painful relationship or place when they hear this song." In celebration of "Secondhand Smoke," Cartelli also performed the track on The Kelly Clarkson Show. Cartelli recently wrapped a slew of tour dates at the top of the year supporting Adam Melchor in New York and Boston, along with an intimate headline show in Los Angeles last week at the Hotel Café. This adds to the musician's already-notable touring history, where she's shared stages with Kelly Clarkson, OneRepublic, Maroon 5, and labelmate Jake Scott. Following the release of her striking 2021 debut EP Based on a True Story, Cartelli shared a trio of standout singles last year – "Gemini," "Girl Code," and "Convertible in the Rain" – underscoring her remarkable vocal range that impressed viewers nationwide when she was crowned the winner of Season 14 of NBC's The Voice. Cartelli emerged as the youngest champion in the show's history and still holds this title to date. Along with garnering a subsequent nomination at the People's Choice Awards, Cartelli captivated audiences with performances on the TODAY Show, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, The Kelly Clarkson Show, and more. Cartelli is currently in the studio working on new original music for her next project. More details will be revealed very soon… We want to hear from you! Please email Hello@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #BrynnCartelli #SecondhandSmoke #TheVoice #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 Lily Williams Zoom video! Rising singer-songwriter Lily Williams has shared her label debut project, How The Story Ends, available now via Overall Recordings/Atlantic Records. The British-born, Southern California-based artist's project includes the recently released, heartbreakingly beautiful "What If I Still Miss You?" and aching new single "Kinda Like The Heartbreak" which has been teased via popular IG Reels and TikTok videos, now boasting over 1M views. How The Story Ends – which sees Lily taking inspiration from influences spanning classic Disney scores, Chet Baker, and The Beach Boys to Sara Bareilles, Laufey, and John Mayer – also includes previously released singles, "When All The Love Is Gone," "Let Me Be The One," and the deeply moving title track, "How The Story Ends." Watch the title track's official video HERE. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSV5pZdgNbM Narrating life as it passes by, Lily Williams is a singer-songwriter, composer, and multi-instrumentalist. At the age of 10 in a little town outside of London, she began playing classical piano and clarinet inspired by her mother. At the same time, her father introduced her to Billy Joel, Carol King and more, sparking her love of songwriting. A passion for storytelling combined with her orchestral and jazz influences soon merged in her own dreamy writing. Having honed her talents overseas at Berklee College of Music in Boston, the multi-talented musician found herself stuck back in London during the pandemic where she began writing How The Story Ends. After posting some of her unreleased demos online in 2021, the prolific concert pianist swiftly attracted an audience of loyal listeners attracted to her lullaby-like vocals and aesthetically pleasing short film mood boards. Sparking attention on TikTok, "I Hope You Think Of Me" became the first single. On its heels, "July (Later On)" inspired 150K+ plus unique Reels on Instagram and went on to amass over 3M streams. Tallying over 10M streams independently, her authentic voice has endeared a growing fanbase. How The Story Ends tells one cohesive story through ten songs written over the course of two years. Throughout the project, Lily's vivid lyricism and transportive melodies illustrate her most intimate memories of young love, heartbreak, a fear of the unknown, grief, loss, and a journey to find peace. We want to hear from you! Please email Hello@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #LilyWilliams #IHopeYouThinkOfMe #HowTheStoryEnds #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 Dean Lewis Zoom video! Australian singer-songwriter Dean Lewis's awe-inspiring journey to the top of the global music charts is sure to reach even greater heights with the recent release of his second album, The Hardest Love. His most recent single, "How Do I Say Goodbye," went viral on TikTok climbing the Global Spotify charts. The song exploded when Dean posted an emotional video of his father listening to the record for the first time. Dean wrote the song about his Dad who was diagnosed with cancer while Dean was on tour. It's a devastating song about the looming loss of a parent. Fans around the world have been resonating with its sentiment, sharing their own personal videos across their social pages. Dean Lewis has sold 4M+ albums and EPs worldwide and his music has attracted 7.7+ billion streams to date. He was welcomed into the Spotify Billions club for his hit 'Be Alright' which now has 3.6 billion streams and has been certified 11x platinum in Australia, triple platinum in the U.S.A, platinum in the UK, and platinum+ in 23 other countries. Dean has 2.3M Tik Tok followers and 1.2M YouTube followers. Lewis was an Apple Up Next artist in 2019 and played over 200 shows that year, including sold-out U.S. and Australian tours plus many shows and festival slots around Europe. That same year, Dean collaborated with Dutch superstar DJ/producer Martin Garrix on their hit single 'Used To Love' and kicked another bucket-list career goal when he performed at the AFL Grand Final. Off the back of his # 1 Debut album release – 2019's chart-topping, multiple-award-winning, multiple-Platinum-certified 'A Place We Knew' – Dean has cultivated and captivated a huge global fanbase. After 'Half A Man' was performed by a contestant on X Factor in Denmark earlier this year, this track from his debut album received a second life when it flew to the top of the Danish charts. Last year, Dean performed his single 'Hurtless' on X Factor Denmark's finale, this impassioned breakup song climbed to #8 on the Danish charts and topped the Swedish Heatseeker chart, the song now has 59M+ streams. 'Hurtless' was preceded by 2021's 'Looks Like Me' and 'Falling Up' which have also generated huge numbers, 'Falling Up' is ARIA Gold-certified 79M+ global streams, Looks Like Me' has hit 77M+. Added to this, Dean's most recent collab with Norwegian DJ/Producer Kygo, has hit 50M+ streams. We want to hear from you! Please email Hello@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #DeanLewis #HowDoISayGoodbye #TheHardestLove #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 Raue Zoom video! Up-and-coming punk duo Raue recently released their EP KARMA!! Featuring two brand new tracks, KARMA!! pulls inspiration from the 90s grunge scene; the band's sound often draws comparisons to bands like the Pixies, Sonic Youth, Garbage, and Hole. The band shares: "The double-single KARMA!! could be considered a rebirth of a sound from the 90's grunge and punk era. Or, Karma is beckoning a call to action; an invitation for you, the listener, to define this sound as a new era of raw music. A genre yet to be labled, a paradox of ineffability." KARMA!!, was released in partnership with Volcom following a successful live show at the company's headquarters, and campaign involvement promoting the upcoming release of Volcom's new line of women's skate. About Raue: Raue is a two-piece band reviving the 90's alternative rock grunge sound with the performance and high energy of a punk band. Out of Santa Cruz, California, the band includes Paige Kalenian (18) and Jax Huckle (17). Paige writes and plays everything melodic for the songs, and Jax fills in with drums, resulting in a sound equivalent to a 5-piece band. They pull off their full sound live by triggering the instruments they aren't physically playing. Jax drums while simultaneously "playing" bass by triggering 10-20 sec long samples sourced from the original studio recordings. Paige plays guitar and sings while kicking off the rest of the instruments heard in their songs via a pedal board. They don't play with backing tracks, nor do they play to a click. They like flexibility, leaving room to let their inner punks express themselves on stage. We want to hear from you! Please email Hello@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #Raue #KARMA #Volcom #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 Knox Zoom video! Nashville based singer/songwriter Knox recently released his vibrant debut EP and announced his signing with Atlantic Records. EP track "NYC" also receives an official music video, which made its broadcast premiere on MTV Live, MTVU and MTV Biggest Pop today. "Sneakers," another EP track that was released last year, has proven a huge success already, racking up nearly 2M TikTok views overnight and 16M streams and counting. Growing up in Ohio, Knox's whole existence before he ever wrote a song was playing basketball, soundtracked by artists such as Fall Out Boy, Panic! At the Disco, All-American Rejects, Lil Wayne, Drake and Ed Sheeran. The summer before he started at Ohio University, Knox finally picked up a guitar. He learned everything in those few months, self-taught through YouTube videos. Knox began playing open mic nights and by his sophomore year, his musical ambitions were so all-consuming that he dropped out of school, moved in with his grandma and began saving up money to start his life in Nashville. He made the leap in January 2019. Knox used covid isolation time to work on his craft. His focus paid off: his songs caught the attention of John Harvie, who placed a few on his album, as well as Harvie's label. Knox signed a publishing deal in 2022 but was struck with the urge to record a collection of songs he had been working on. The final result was How to Lose a Girl in 7 Songs, Knox's debut EP. With his own songs ready, he now needed to build a fanbase. Knox began filming TikToks featuring his song "Sneakers, and one amassed nearly two million views overnight. "Sneakers" has since reached over 16 million streams. Knox has since started to get on the road, opening for the Band Camino and Boys Like Girls (an emo staple he grew up with). "I'm six states away from home and there's a thousand people in the audience that are singing the song that I wrote with my friends in my bedroom," he recalls. "And that's when it gets you, when you see real people genuinely connecting to something that I made with my best friends. It's the most unreal feeling in the world." We want to hear from you! Please email Hello@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #Knox #Sneakers #HowToLoseAGirlin7Songs #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 Easy Star All-Stars Zoom video! Veteran reggae group Easy Star All-Stars return with the announcement of their newest album, a re-imagined rendition of David Bowie's classic The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders from Mars, aptly entitled Ziggy Stardub, out April 21 via Easy Star Records. The album features guest performances by Macy Gray, Steel Pulse, Fishbone, Alex Lifeson (Rush), Vernon Reid (Living Colour), The Skints, Mortimer, The Expanders, Samory I, Naomi Cowan, and many others. Pre-order packages of the album will be available on the easystar.com webstore, including a limited edition exclusive vinyl – 250 hand-numbered units printed on tri-colored pressings of red, gold, and green – along with CD and exclusive t-shirt offerings. Blending musical versatility, instrumental prowess, beautiful vocal harmonies, and a premier rhythm section, Easy Star All-Stars have established themselves as one of the top international reggae acts on the scene for over two decades. During this time, they've toured in over 30 countries on 6 continents, bringing together fans of reggae, classic rock, dub, and indie rock into one big family. Previous releases of the band's long standing collection of tribute albums include Dub Side of the Moon (2003), a critically-acclaimed reggae re-working of Radiohead's OK Computer, Radiodread (2006), Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band (2009), and Easy Star's Thrillah (2012), as well as the remix album Dubber Side of the Moon (2010). The All-Stars have also released two original collections, Until That Day EP (2008) and First Light (2011). We want to hear from you! Please email Hello@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #EasyStarAllStars #DubSide #ALoverLikeMe #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 Lily Kincade over Zoom video! Rising indie-pop star Lily Kincade, recently released a song inspired by her own personal story of heartbreak, "3 Months", which was written one late night in November when Lily sat down at her piano with just a melody in her head. "Writing this song allowed me to feel all the emotions I had been suppressing" Lily elaborates "I wasn't allowing myself to cry or be upset because the relationship only lasted 3 months. Writing this song helped me realize that time doesn't mean anything to the heart. Heartbreak can happen during any amount of time." MORE INFO: The songs Lily writes speak for themselves. The infectiously lush synth-pop gem "Real", showcasing Kincade's affecting nostalgia and dextrous vocals, has racked up over five and a half million streams on Spotify alone. A song she performed at Live One's Grammy event in Vegas last year (video here). Lily describes herself as someone who "[makes] music for driving with the windows down", and the two EPs she's released so far are full of the sweeping cinematic soundscapes and diaristic narratives to prove it. Aside from being a phenomenal singer, Lily is also a songwriter and writes for other artists besides herself. (Mckenna Grace "Haunted"). We want to hear from you! Please email Hello@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #LilyKincade #3months #ThreeMonths #NewMusic #Zoom #NewMusic 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/