Bringin' it Backwards

We had the pleasure of interviewing Grizfolk over Zoom video! Grizfolk's latest album, 'Grizfolk,' is an epic collection of songs built through multiple creative approaches to fit into a single moment of all-encompassing luster and artful, powerful, and fun auditory brilliance. It succeeds as a mix of both of the worlds their previous albums created, and in many ways, it achieves the sound the band had been chasing all along but weren't yet prepared to fulfill. Half of the new songs were produced by Rich Costey (Muse, The Killers, Barns Courtney) in early 2020 after the band returned from an inspiring retreat in Joshua Tree. The other half were written and recorded remotely due to the global pandemic with the band spread out between Nashville and LA. Grizfolk burst onto the scene with their 2014 debut EP, From the Spark, followed by 2016's full-length Waking Up The Giants. Their catchy blend of electronic-tinged folk rock and pop styles caught the ears of fans around the globe. They returned in 2019 with Rarest Of Birds, delivering a nostalgic, summertime feel with their embracing more organic instrumentation in lieu of previous synth heavy sounds. This new era of Grizfolk may best be described as an eponymous genre encompassing both the band's name as well as their sound, created during a time of extreme planetary tension and only succeeding because of the sense of camaraderie the four players were able to maintain despite the circumstances. We want to hear from you! Please email Tera@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #Grizfolk #zoom #aspn #americansongwriter #americansongwriterpodcastnetwork Listen & Subscribe to BiB Follow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! 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 OMI over Zoom video! OMI​ established himself as an international artist to watch through a string of viral releases, including his world-renowned single "​Cheerleader​," which spent six non-consecutive weeks at ​No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart​, went​ 5x Platinum​, and garnered over 4 million Spotify weekly streams. The music video for the ​Felix Jaehn​ remix alone has accumulated almost 9​50 million YouTube streams​ to date, numbers comparable to those of international superstars. He's performed on ​The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,​ ​Good Morning America​, a​nd ​America's Got Talent​ ​— and that's just in the U.S. The worldwide success of "Cheerleader"​ earned ​OMI ​collaborations with ​The Vamps​ ("​I Found a Girl​"),​ Shaggy ​("Seasons​"), and ​Marcus & Martinus​ ("​Never​") in the years that followed. In 2018, he reunited with German producer ​Felix Jaehn​ for their single "​Masterpiece​," which has accumulated 36+ million streams on Spotify. The uptempo, summery track encourages women to find beauty in themselves as they are, in a digital age that often pushes the other way. In the years that have passed since releasing "​Cheerleader​" and his debut full-length album '​Me 4 U​,' OMI has recharged his body, mind, and soul by spending time with family in Jamaica. He's also been honing in on his craft —growing as a singer, songwriter, and performer. Now, he's ready to begin his next chapter. OMI is pleased to release this second look off his upcoming album — a project that will fuse elements of Pop, Reggae, and Dancehall and showcase. OMI's continuous progression as an artist and the recent release of his international anthem "I Want You," the reggae-pop singer/songwriter OMI returns with new music released via Ultra Records. Most recently, his track "Hello Hater" draws from his Jamaican roots, and reintroduces himself with a unique blend of airy reggae, dancehall beats, and sticky pop hooks that are sure to be a bouncy summer hit. With 6+ Million Monthly listeners and more than a Billion Streams. We want to hear from you! Please email Tera@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #OMI #Cheerleader #zoom #aspn #americansongwriter #americansongwriterpodcastnetwork Listen & Subscribe to BiB Follow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! 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 Kentö over Zoom video! NY-based multilingual singer, songwriter and producer, Kentö, recently released his single "Silhouette". Alongside the single release will be a breathtaking music video, paying homage to art films from the 90s and early surrealist cinema, directed by Kentö himself. (This isn't the first time he's sat in the director's chair [Billboard].) Kentö has been creating his own music for the past 8 years, developing songs that tell stories about his own life experiences, and the inspiration for this song came to fruition while watching Olympics interviews; "I saw Adam Rippon in an interview during the Olympics. He was full of joy. The best. The coolest. Unafraid to be so visibly himself. If I was younger and I saw someone on TV representing such freedom and self-love, I would be inspired by that. I aspire to be that. I wrote this song imagining myself as a kid and thinking about what I would tell my younger self." MORE INFO: In 2019 Kentö was selected to join Them [Condé Nast], as one of the first of 30 LGBTQI+ ambassadors for the launch of their new publication and initiative. Being a strong voice for others to receive inspiration from has always been a shining light throughout any project he takes on. Kentö elaborates; "I am LGBTQI+ and I'm on the autism spectrum, and I think these are all my superpowers. I think pop music tends to have trends that all sound like one thing, and then someone comes along and shakes things up with a timeless sound. That's the kind of music I want to make. I have overcome a lot in my life, my parents passed when I was young, I've battled Cancer, and navigating the world not only as an LGBTQI+ person, but also one on the spectrum has really given me a lot of perspective on the world, life, and music. The amount of joy I feel being able to even be writing this right now that I have is immense. I'm so proud of myself, and I want to just share my music and positivity to the world." Born in Northern Maine to a half Japanese/half French Dad and a Brazilian/French Canadian Mom, Kentö's upbringing and travel have shaped him into the artist he is today. While living between Maine, Brazil and Canada, Kentö predominantly spent his childhood and teenage years in Japan, where he learned about music from all over the world at a young age. After working on a punk/pop project for four years in Japan, Kentö realized he wanted to branch out and discover a more timeless sound that felt more authentic to him, rather than what managers and labels decided on his behalf. In 2012 Kentö decided to take a chance, move to LA, call his own shots and start diving into a more diverse range of music. While doing so, he met artist/producer Frankmusik [Ellie Goulding, RuPaul, Erasure], and recorded/released his debut EP Complicated. From there Kentö was born, and his electro-edged pop music started grabbing the attention of media such as Arjan Writes, Head Of Apple Music's Editorial, who referred to the EP as a "potent pop confection that will surely put Kentö on the map [...]" We want to hear from you! Please email Tera@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #Kentö #zoom #aspn #americansongwriter #americansongwriterpodcastnetwork Listen & Subscribe to BiB Follow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! 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 Dez Money over Zoom video! Dez Money is a singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist from Los Angeles, CA. He was raised in a musical family as the son of multi-platinum recording artist, Eddie Money. Dez spent a good part of his life on tour with his family opening up the shows and playing guitar in the Eddie Money band. Carrying on his father's legacy, Dez released a new song and lyric video for "Lost". "Lost" tells the story of someone stranded on a desert island. The phrase repeats throughout the song "is there anybody out there?" as that person searches for someone to connect with while they are in isolation. "Lost" invites the listener into the mind of a castaway. "Is there anybody listening? Did you get the message? Sending SOS's all across the way". The song presents itself as a message in a bottle from a desert island," explains Money. "Lost" is the first taste of what's to come from Money. On his upcoming album, he aims to show his versatility as an artist. In the studio, he made it a goal to produce different types of songs than what he had done before. Each of the new tracks has its own vibe, yet they all complement each other. The song "Lost" invites the listener into his new world. Dez serves as the singer-songwriter, producer, and plays all the instruments featured in his music. In his latest body of work, he delivers a pure sound with intimate, heartfelt lyrics and an alluring honesty. "Lost" will be followed up with more releases this spring and a new album coming later this summer. Dez has been making his mark and garnering attention for a while with his debut album, Take Me Down which was released in 2015, followed by his sophomore album, Blue in 2020. In 2018, he's featured in the AXS TV reality series "Real Money," which chronicled the family's life at home and on tour as well as the journey they took with Eddie's health struggles. We want to hear from you! Please email Tera@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #DezMoney #EddieMoney #zoom #aspn #americansongwriter #americansongwriterpodcastnetwork Listen & Subscribe to BiB Follow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! 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 Two Feet over Zoom video! Two Feet enters his next era with the release of brand new single "Fire In My Head," further cementing the signature fusion of confrontational alternative and structure-defiant electronic music that has launched him to 1.5 billion streams, Gold and Platinum scanned singles, a #1 hit on the Billboard Alternative chart, a $1 million NFT drop and more. Alongside the new song and video, out now on AWAL, Two Feet has unveiled a run of full-band, headlining fall tour dates at The Novo in Los Angeles, Webster Hall in New York City, The Fillmore in San Francisco and more, all of which are on-sale today. Reflecting on the new chapter, Two Feet says, "For 'Fire In My Head' I wanted to revisit the sound of my first EP. I think this song does it well with an updated energy." Listen to "Fire In My Head" and watch the lyric video, full of beachside, black-and-white nostalgia: https://twofeet.ffm.to/fireinmyheadvideo Find the full list of dates for Two Feet's 2021 fall tour, and purchase tickets here: https://twofeetmusic.com/tour "Fire In My Head" arrives on the heels of Two Feet's conceptual new album, Max Maco is Dead Right?. Released earlier this spring and centered around the sudden rise and demise of a visionary artist named Max Maco, the album found Two Feet embodying the troubled, titular persona as he confronted the challenges of fame, excess and heartbreak. Before writing any of the music, Two Feet devised a 25-page map of Maco's life story, enlisted the same acting coach who helped Rami Malek with his transformation into Freddie Mercury, and created sweeping productions that combined his love of flamenco guitar with trap beats on songs like "Flatline," rock with the pulsing dance grooves he used to DJ at drag shows on "Never Enough," and more. Upon its release, Max Maco racked up more than 25 million streams, appearing on Spotify's Times Square Billboard, while Two Feet performed on Rolling Stone's Twitch, took over Reddit's r/Music, guest hosted SiriusXM's Alt Nation, and headlined San Diego's California Center for the Arts last month. Having toured with Panic! At The Disco and played festivals like Austin City Limits, Bonnaroo and Hangout, Two Feet's fall tour marks his long-awaited return to the road, where he'll preview even more new music alongside his power trio. Preview the setup with Two Feet and his band's live performance of "Fire" from Max Maco Is Dead Right?. We want to hear from you! Please email Tera@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #TwoFeet #zoom #aspn #americansongwriter #americansongwriterpodcastnetwork Listen & Subscribe to BiB Follow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! 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 Mitch Grassi of MESSER over Zoom video! GRAMMY Award-winning vocalist Mitch Grassi today reveals "Machine," the first original music from his new solo project, Messer. Messer is about freedom in identity, independence, confidence, queerness, the theatrical, and living your fantasy and romanticizing your life. Basking in beautiful solitude, embracing the darkness we carry within ourselves, as well as celebrating the moments of bliss, humanization, empathy, self-awareness and global awareness. "Machine" was written by Messer at the beginning of the pandemic, when everything was terrifying, uncertain and incredibly lonely. The song has relatable lyrics and a fun synth pop production. "We were starting to rely on each other more than ever. "Machine" is about being unconditionally present in someone's life, someone you love & care about very much. Everyone is complex, and sometimes all they need is solace in another human being, a shoulder to cry on, a listening ear. And, in a sense, this song was written to myself. I wrote it at a time when I was starting to come into myself, and starting to put myself first and give myself love. In that way, it's an inner promise I carry with me, to broach my emotional needs with kindness, consideration, and self-love. This song embodies faith and new beginnings," Grassi says. Be on the lookout for additional Messer original music releases over the coming months. We want to hear from you! Please email Tera@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #Pentatonix #MitchGrassi #MESSER #zoom #aspn #americansongwriter #americansongwriterpodcastnetwork Listen & Subscribe to BiB Follow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! 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 Fredrik Saroea of DATAROCK over Zoom video! Fredrik Saroea is the frontman of Norway's bizarre, global indie sensation – DATAROCK. After years touring the world with alternative bangers such as "Fa-Fa-Fa" he now present an entirely different side to his songwriting The new solo album Rona Diaries was inspired by everything from post-rock (like The Sea and Cake) via hard-core (like Fugazi), noise-rock (like U.S. Maple), space-rock (like Flying Saucer Attack), art-rock (like Blonde Redhead) to Morrissey's indie-classics, Sun Kil Moon's As COVID-19 shut down live music, Saroea started recording in their label YAP Records' studio –YAP HQ in Bergen (Norway) – with DATAROCK drummer Øyvind Solheim helping out engineering & co-producing. The 12 songs jammed in on the 28 minute long album was also mixed by Solheim & Saroea at YAP HQ, and then shipped to UK's legend Mike Marsh (Björk, Massive Attack, Oasis, DATAROCK) for mastering. The artwork was created by the amazing Magnus Voll Mathiassen whom has illustrated everything from Rihanna's Unapologetic album to this years official Oscars rendition. The release on May 28th took place with an internationally streamed concert in Norway's stately Grieg Hall – famous for the most iconic Norwegian black metal recordings. The host of the event was the largest festival in the Nordic counties for art & music; Bergen International Festival (established in 1963). The concert featured musicians from Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra and the contemporary ensable BIT20, and later this year the recordings will be released as a live album. We want to hear from you! Please email Tera@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #FredrikSaroea #DATAROCK #zoom #aspn #americansongwriter #americansongwriterpodcastnetwork Listen & Subscribe to BiB Follow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! 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 Lea Thomas over Zoom video! Thomas creates worlds with her words, blending personal narrative with universal observations of both the mundane and spiritual, often in the same breath. Guiding her band between energies of introspection and exploration, focused calm and propulsive rhythms. Thomas's second full length solo record is a dynamic reflection on themes of transformation, belonging, and self-discovery. Thomas's naturalist perspective permeates many of the narratives on Mirrors To The Sun. While writing the songs that became Mirrors To The Sun, Lea Thomas was also reflecting on the mile-marker of living in New York City for over a decade. About Lea Born in Hawaii and based in Brooklyn, Lea Thomas started her musical journey early with piano, later moving to guitar as her main accompanying instrument. Recording her own music as a teenager led to her eventual move to New York City at 17 where she found her footing studying audio engineering, working in music studios and performing in local venues. Her first record, Want For Nothing, was released in 2017, followed by her Part of This Place EP and an ambient/folk/field recording collaboration with John Thayer called Blue of Distance, released in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Now, in 2021, the multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer brings audiences into her world of wonder with Mirrors to the Sun, out now on Spirit House Records. In addition to her work as a musician, Thomas is also a visual artist with a focus on hand weaving and natural dyes. Her frequent use of indigo pigment is reflective of her Japanese heritage. She is an enthusiast of traditional herbal medicine and produces her own line of small-batch, seasonal herbal products under the name All In All Apothecary. We want to hear from you! Please email Tera@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #LeaThomas #zoom #aspn #americansongwriter #americansongwriterpodcastnetwork Listen & Subscribe to BiB Follow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! 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 Peter Cornell over Zoom video! Entrepreneur and singer-songwriter Peter Cornell (Inflatable Soule, Black Market Radio) has always had a passion for three of life's greatest treasures – family, music, and a really good cup of coffee. Now, Cornell has announced that he is combining all of these loves with the opening of the Cornell Brothers Coffee Espresso Bar in the heart of Historic Downtown Nolensville, TN, as well as the international launch of his premier line, Cornell Brothers Coffee: Small Batch Roasters and merchandise on June 1, 2021. According to Cornell, the company was named in memory of his late Grandfather and three uncles, all of whom were very influential in his life. Cornell Brothers Coffee Espresso Bar serves up multiple varieties of freshly-roasted espresso and coffee, which Cornell partnered with Nashville master roaster Lesa Wood to source and produce. Cornell's wife and business partner is veteran music industry executive Amy Decker, who located the espresso bar's premises inside Oh My Chives Natural Co-Op Market (7332 Nolensville Rd, Nolensville, TN), a popular co-op owned and operated by Angela Daly. "Oh My Chives is proud to be teaming up with Cornell Brothers Coffee," said Daly. Available through www.cornellbrotherscoffee.com, coffee aficionados worldwide can purchase fresh-roasted Cornell varieties online. According to Cornell, "We roast each week and ship on Thursdays. If we don't have your order by Monday night, we will hold it until the following week so your product is of the highest quality we can provide." Nolensville is the first place since Seattle that Cornell says truly feels like home, which is why he's excited to build a business and give back to his community in such a meaningful way. Before moving to TN, he spent the majority of his adult life crisscrossing the country performing in various musical projects, including his very first band Inflatable Soule, featuring his sisters Suzy (percussion/vocals) and Katy (flute/vocals), and managed by Susan Silver (Soundgarden, Alice in Chains). Before Cornell moved to New York City, the group released three albums and started Black Market Radio (BMR), with bassist Keith Mannino. Their 2006 album, Suicide Parlor, was hailed as "vibrant [and] blistering, with emotionally resonant tracks" (Last. FM). After that release, Cornell decided to take his career in a new direction and record a solo album entitled Champion with former Pearl Jam drummer Dave Abbruzzese on drums. Lauded by critics as an "instantly impactful and passionately powerful collection of songs" (Artist Direct), Cornell's solo effort saw commercial success with its single "Wash" appearing in the Vampire Diaries. Now, settled into TN life, Cornell has started writing and collaborating with other artists in addition to launching Cornell Brothers Coffee. His latest project was with multi-platinum rock band Candlebox. Cornell co-wrote the single "Let Me Down Easy" with frontman Kevin Martin for their forthcoming album Wolves (September 2021). We want to hear from you! Please email Tera@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #PeterCornell #ChrisCornell #Soundgargen #TempleoftheDog #BlackMarketRadio #BMR #CornellBrothersCoffee #CornellBrosCoffee #zoom #aspn #americansongwriter #americansongwriterpodcastnetwork Listen & Subscribe to BiB Follow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! 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 Oliver Francis over Zoom video! The Columbia, MO rapper, singer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Oliver Francis creatively nods to Blade Runner and The Fifth Element as much as he nods to The Weeknd and Travis Scott. Now, he presents a bold blockbuster vision without boundaries. After amassing 100 million-plus streams, selling out shows, and receiving acclaim from Elevator and more, he widens the scope of the genre, fusing sci-fi ambition to gritty trap. "I had a bit of a breakthrough," he admits. "I wanted to mix these great sci-fi movies with melodic hip-hop, trap, and pop. Once I struck this balance, I was on a roll. This phase took a conceptual turn, and it tells a very loose story. Thinking conceptually allows me to say things a rapper wouldn't normally say. At the time, I was sick of saying all of the same shit about Balenciaga bags over and over again. I was tired of using the same drums too. I wanted to break out of the box and try new things sonically and lyrically." A lifetime dedicated to music enabled him to do just that. Hailing from the small town of Ashland, MO, he grew up listening to Green Day, skateboarding, and obsessing over alternative culture to the "very conservative Midwestern landscape." Raised by musicians, dad played guitar and performed worship music in church—where Oliver also picked up the drums. Listening to punk and emo, he played in numerous bands with the dream "to become a famous rock star." He worked as a janitor for five years as he quietly wrote and recorded music. Taking the reins as a producer and artist, he introduced himself in 2017. Off his Essentials EP, "Aahhyeahh" posted up 39.5 million Spotify streams followed by "Anti-Grav," "Gemini," "3 Deep," and "Chernobyl"—all of which also cracked the 10 million mark on Spotify. In between, he packed shows on tour and dropped three albums, culminating on 2019's The Adventures of Oliver Francis. Praising the latter, Elevator predicted "[he] is destined to become a superstar." Working out of his bedroom studio, he expanded the sonic palette for this next chapter. "I'm a guitar player and a drummer, but I find a lot of samples for my music," he explains. "I stumbled on an eighties synth sound, and I knew immediately I had found where I wanted to go. Over the summer and fall of 2020, I was running about ten miles per day—and I even ran a marathon. Running allowed me to think creatively. It was during this time I knew where I was going sonically, and everything fell into place." He kicks the door open with "Toxic Paradise." As if musically finding the nexus between Travis Scott's Rodeo and Linkin Park's Hybrid Theory, a glitchy beat cuts through booming bass as he sets the scene with intensely anxious rhymes, "Girl, you know that heaven's overrated, and you know that the angels honestly hate it." Co-written with Aaron Gillespie of Underoath, it culminates on an irresistible and infectious refrain. "It was the discovery of the sound for sure," he explains. "As far as the overarching narrative goes, it's the moment where I arrive. I'm landing in Los Angeles, looking for drugs, obtaining them, and taking them, ultimately. 'Toxic Paradise' is giving away a piece of yourself to get high." The entire project traces this story as the protagonist from "Toxic Paradise" goes undercover as part of a resistance against a mega-pharmaceutical company called Violence Labs. Twists and turns follow as he falls down a rabbit hole of deceit, lust, addiction, and ultimately catharsis. Ultimately, Oliver Francis gives the world something it has never heard before in 2021. We want to hear from you! Please email Tera@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #OliverFrancis #zoom #aspn #americansongwriter #americansongwriterpodcastnetwork Listen & Subscribe to BiB Follow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bringin-it-backwards--4972373/support. https://bringinitbackwards.com/