Bringin' it Backwards

Together with American Songwriter, we had the pleasure of interviewing Ryan Hemsworth over Zoom video! The genesis of Ryan Hemsworth's new project, Quarter-Life Crisis, can be traced all the way back to his childhood bedroom in Nova Scotia, where the producer spent the bulk of his high school years listening to emerging indie acts and playing guitar. Not loving the sound of his own voice and without a band, he eventually started making music on his laptop, which earned him accolades as he stepped out into electronic and club music scenes. His prolific output, paired with a voracious appetite for a wide range of genres and creation of his own label Secret Songs, has made Hemsworth a fixture since he released his debut solo album, ​Guilt Trips​, in 2013. But now, Hemsworth's trying his hand at something unexpected that is nonetheless close to his heart and origin story as a musician. Quarter-Life Crisis is a collaboration with various artists who've come to prominence over the past couple of years, many of whom got their start playing scrappy DIY shows. The self-titled debut EP was released on December 4th, 2020 via Saddle Creek and features contributions from Frances Quinlan (Hop Along), Meg Duffy (Hand Habits), Charlie Martin (Hovvdy), Yohuna, and Claud. It showcases Hemsworth in a new phase of his career, one that is perhaps a bit less indebted to the nightclub dance floor. Collaboration is paramount to Hemsworth's process, and though he produced all of the instrumentation on the album, he left the lyrics and intention of the song up to the contributors. The resulting collection shape shifts from track-to-track, taking on new personalities as it moves between artists. Working with musicians who largely fall into the category of "indie" gave Hemsworth the opportunity to revisit some of the artists who inspired him to become a musician in the first place. He cites bands like the Cardigans, Grandaddy, Bright Eyes, and Sparkle horse as being foundational to his writing process this time around. ​Quarter-Life Crisis ​a sharp turn away from his last project, 2019's ​CIRCUS CIRCUS​, which he made alongside the Japanese rap duo Yurufuwa Gang, but for Hemsworth, working in a wide array of genres and modes keeps him on his toes, and ultimately, keeps his career interesting. We want to hear from you! Please email Tera@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #foryou #foryoupage #stayhome #togetherathome #zoom #aspn #americansongwriter #americansongwriterpodcastnetwork Listen & Subscribe to BiB Follow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bringinbackpod/support Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bringin-it-backwards--4972373/support. https://bringinitbackwards.com/

Together with American Songwriter, we had the pleasure of interviewing Sophie Simmons over Zoom video! Sophie Simmons is a multi-faceted singer, songwriter and now author of the poetry book "Secrets I Would Never Say, but I Would Sing". The book was released digitally on November 27, 2020. The beautifully written collection of short poems serves as an expansion of Sophie's ever-growing artist palette, along with her widely popular music. Her eclectic music catalog includes both indie-pop lovesick ballads and electronically-infused dance tracks. Sophie has released chart-topping single after single – including "Black Mirror," "Paper Cut," "Burn Me Down," "sabotage," "If I Could," "Selfish," "Bigger Than Yours," "Courage for Xmas," etc. Her music has graced the worldwide charts of Billboard, Apple Music, Spotify, and picked up airplay on numerous Top 40 radio stations nationwide. She has been featured in publications such as Harper's Bazaar, Billboard, and Vanity Fair Italia. Over the years, Sophie has racked up several achievements when it comes to writing and performing dance music as well. She's released a variety of hit singles within the dance industry pairing up with Kidswaste for "Beautiful Life", The Galaxy for "Dangerous", Rytmeklubben for "Orbit", Cesqeaux for "Private Time", Different Heaven for "Live at Night", Yellow Claw for "Home", and DOLF and Yellow Claw for "Cry Wolf". She currently has a dozen tracks released as either a co-writer or vocalist with various global headlining names. Sophie's most recent dance music collaboration "Mine" with Felix Cartel has amassed over 10-Million streams on Spotify alone, paired with a widely circulated music video. Aside from music and writing, Sophie heads a child abuse advocacy center called 'Sophie's Place' in her second home of Vancouver, Canada. Her ultimate goal is to impact and connect people through her music, art and philanthropic pursuits. We want to hear from you! Please email Tera@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #foryou #foryoupage #stayhome #togetherathome #zoom #aspn #americansongwriter #americansongwriterpodcastnetwork Listen & Subscribe to BiB Follow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bringinbackpod/support Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bringin-it-backwards--4972373/support. https://bringinitbackwards.com/

Together with American Songwriter and Sean Ulbs of The Eiffels, we had the pleasure of interviewing Miko over Zoom video! 21-year-old singer-songwriter Miko likes to bring an abundance of sleek pop and 90's rugged vibes. The Montreal-raised popstar continues to showcase his poetically gritty blend of alt-pop and rock in his newest single and video for "I Wasn't Made To Fall In Love", out now via AWAL. Co-produced with Mathieu Sénéchal (Charlotte Cardin), "I Wasn't Made To Fall In Love" offers a first glimpse into Miko's beautifully raw and vulnerable universe, inspired by artists including Dominic Fike, Role Model and Yeek. The single is also accompanied by Miko's first music visual, following him and his friends as they wreak havoc all across Montreal. Discussing the new release, MIKO added: "I wrote 'I Wasn't Made to Fall in Love' last summer with my homie Mat (Mathieu Sénéchal). It was the first time we ever made music together and we came up with this song. Mat is the master of not overthinking shit and that's what I like the most about him. It's also my first song for which there is a video clip! My favourite shots didn't make the cut because we could've been in trouble, but we had a lot of fun making it." When post-secondary education didn't catch his attention, Miko poured his time into co-writing with rising artists such as Soran, Mike Clay (Clay & Friends) and Geoffroy. Now focusing on his own music, he is honing in on his musical style while catching the attention of both youth figures and tastemakers including YouTuber Hannah Meloche and Iconic Canadian music journalist Alan Cross. His first single "Crushes" was championed by Spotify (Lorem, Outlier, Bedroom Pop and Fresh Finds) and has already cracked a million streams as well. Miko has since been invited to be a part of the SOCAN Incubator Program, an opportunity to connect with music industry mentors from Canada and was selected for the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame Residency taking place in Toronto this year. He also continues to collaborate with some of the industry's best, co-writing and performing on Robotaki's latest single "Dreamcatcher" We want to hear from you! Please email Tera@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #foryou #foryoupage #stayhome #togetherathome #zoom #aspn #americansongwriter #americansongwriterpodcastnetwork Listen & Subscribe to BiB Follow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bringinbackpod/support Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bringin-it-backwards--4972373/support. https://bringinitbackwards.com/

Together with American Songwriter and Sean Ulbs of The Eiffels, we had the pleasure of interviewing Izzy Heltai over Zoom video! With brutal honesty towards himself and forgiveness for those around him, Izzy Heltai's music walks the elusive line between confessional and relatable. On his debut album, "Father," the 23-year-old singer/songwriter dives deep into his fascination with human relationships, and specifically the way that those relationships change and reorganize themselves over time. Originally from Brookline, Massachusetts, Heltai is the child of two mathematicians and first-generation European immigrants. Heltai moved from Boston to the small town of North Adams, Massachusetts at the age of eighteen, and took up residence in his friend's closet for one hundred dollars a month rent. Now, at twenty- three years old, Heltai sees his own coming of age reflected in the album, which includes songs written over the past four years.Throughout the record, Heltai braves the exploration of not only interpersonal and societal relationships but also his own relationship to himself. Father was recorded by Heltai's longtime friend Andy Cass and produced by Sophie Buskin, whom Heltai met at the legendary Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas. The production is raw and full, with subtle harmonies and guitar lines weaving their way unexpectedly through the mix almost as if they were grown in the song. There is no sign of musical overthought, allowing Heltai's emotional vocals to shine organically. At a time when any conversation with a stranger can quickly become a sociopolitical battle, Heltai's introspective and thought out songs are a breath of fresh air. With an overwhelming empathy for humanity, and willingness to search for personal responsibility, Heltai's "Father", will not leave your heart or your ears unchanged. We want to hear from you! Please email Tera@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #foryou #foryoupage #stayhome #togetherathome #zoom #aspn #americansongwriter #americansongwriterpodcastnetwork Listen & Subscribe to BiB Follow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bringinbackpod/support Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bringin-it-backwards--4972373/support. https://bringinitbackwards.com/

Together with American Songwriter, we had the pleasure of interviewing Sharon den Adel of Within Temptation over Zoom video! Within Temptation have come a long way in the last fifteen years. From their humble beginnings, the Dutch band has now sold over 3.0 million CDs and DVDs world-wide, making them not only Holland's biggest selling musical export but also one of the biggest rock acts internationally. Formed in 1996 around the nucleus of guitarist Robert Westerholt and vocalist Sharon den Adel, Within Temptation released their debut album "Enter". Fourteen years later they've released seven studio albums with an eighth record in the works. The band's brand new single "The Purge" is available now on all platforms "'The Purge' revolves around self-reflection and a search for redemption," singer Sharon den Adel states. "No one gets through life without scars or without inflicting them on others, and there will always be moments in your life you start questioning your choices. You start realizing you've made mistakes, causing harm to not only others, but also to yourself. To confess, to acknowledge, and to accept these mistakes can be a very painful process and unescapable when the burden becomes too heavy." "The Purge" follows "Entertain You," which was released this spring and kicked off a series of digital releases that are exceeding all expectations. "Entertain You" was the #1 Most Added Song on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Indicator Chart with airplay on at least 40 radio stations in the US including Music Choice, SiriusXM/Octane, WZOR, and KQXR, and #5 in the Contraband Metal Chart, and at #18 in the Billboard Mainstream Rock Indicator Chart in USA. We want to hear from you! Please email Tera@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #foryou #foryoupage #stayhome #togetherathome #zoom #aspn #americansongwriter #americansongwriterpodcastnetwork Listen & Subscribe to BiB Follow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bringinbackpod/support Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bringin-it-backwards--4972373/support. https://bringinitbackwards.com/

Together with American Songwriter, we had the pleasure of interviewing Willow Raye over Zoom video! Willow Raye began writing poetry and songs from her early years until she eventually stumbled into the music world, and with the help of her producer friends began singing and writing songs that came alive to trancey dance beats. The inception of her first song, "Deja Vu", happened on her bedroom floor and within an hour it was written. One year later in 2020, she's making waves in pop by bringing a new edgy and sultry sound with her all emotionally charged lyrics. She considers herself an ethereal yet, in your face type of writer. A girl trying to make sense of the ups and downs in romantic relationships, and turn them into something beautiful and relatable; yet never taking the subject matter too seriously so that the crowds' emotions stay light and energetic. Willow's main message is that we are multidimensional creatures, and it's okay to feel different emotions during different stages of life. Looking forward to her debut EP, there's a lot in store for fans of Willow Raye. We want to hear from you! Please email Tera@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #foryou #foryoupage #stayhome #togetherathome #zoom #aspn #americansongwriter #americansongwriterpodcastnetwork Listen & Subscribe to BiB Follow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bringinbackpod/support Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bringin-it-backwards--4972373/support. https://bringinitbackwards.com/

Together with American Songwriter, we had the pleasure of interviewing Mabes over Zoom video! British singer-songwriter Mabes shares a delightfully witty double release out now via The Other Songs. The two tracks featured include her original tongue-in-cheek single "Alone On Christmas Eve" plus a rendition of the iconic hit "Let It Snow" (originally by Frank Sinatra and later covered by Dean Martin). With dazzling brass melodies and heartening live piano and strings, Mabes serves up the perfect tunes for you to drink and dance your sorrows away as we approach an unprecedented holiday season. On "Alone On Christmas Eve" Mabes notes, "Thinking of all the potential lonely people this 'Covid' Christmas, it was too sad not to write a song about it... however, I wanted the song to have a playful bounce, so people could dance and twirl in their living rooms at the same time. In the song I talk about my lover who, for whatever reason, is not with me on Christmas Eve. Because the feeling of loneliness is overwhelming, I am drinking my sorrows away, which is making me giddy and satirical throughout the song. By the end of it I'm almost mocking Christmas…" On "Let It Snow" she adds, "I wanted to include 'Let It Snow' too. It's a beautifully written song and warms my heart. Dean Martin's warm tones take me back to my childhood when I played it every Christmas. The key change in the middle always fascinated me too. It's a staple Christmas song and I hope I've done it justice." Mabes is currently gearing up for her Too Young To Love EP due out December 4th. Tracks on the EP include her latest release "Caught Up," the title track "Too Young To Love," "Danny," and the final single to be revealed entitled "Catch 22." The new music arrives exactly one year after her debut album Wait & See and follows her Keeping The Noise Down EP (RD May 22, 2020 via Amuse), together amassing critical acclaim from the likes of 1883 Magazine, American Songwriter, Clash, Culture Collide, Earmilk, Euphoria, Ones To Watch, Sounds Like Nashville, and The Independent to name a few. To date, Mabes' songs have been featured on Spotify's official playlists such as New Music Friday, Hot Acoustics, Mellow Pop, No Stress, Very Nearly Nashville, and Sad Songs, among others. Likewise on Apple Music, she has landed on New Music Daily, Acoustic Chill, Breaking Singer-Songwriter, Mellow Days, Today's Acoustic, Today's Easy Hits, Today's Acoustic, and more. The quickly rising singer-songwriter's listenership has peaked at 1 million on Spotify while her collective streams across DSPs have surpassed 30 million. Describing her sound as "honest" with "a country twang influenced by pop," Mabes first picked up the guitar at just 15 years old and learned to write as her fascination for British act Laura Marling's folk-poetry developed. Though oceans away in the UK, Mabes also developed an admiration for American artists and credits Carole King, Joni Mitchell, John Mayer, and The Smiths as some of her influences. Mabes' forward-thinking, emotionally raw songwriting style, and driven ambition has led to relatable, cutting-edge intelligent folk and pop that makes her stand out of the pack. With her dreamy vocals and an air of timeless authenticity, there's no doubt Mabes is leveling up as a global entity and artist to watch in 2020 and beyond. We want to hear from you! Please email Tera@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #foryou #foryoupage #stayhome #togetherathome #zoom #aspn #americansongwriter #americansongwriterpodcastnetwork Listen & Subscribe to BiB Follow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bringinbackpod/support Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bringin-it-backwards--4972373/support. https://bringinitbackwards.com/

Together with American Songwriter and Sean Ulbs of The Eiffels, we had the pleasure of interviewing Wade MacNeil of Alexisonfire and Gallows over Zoom video! Dine Alone Records released the original score for the Jay Baruchel-directed horror film Random Acts of Violence by Wade MacNeil (Alexisonfire, Gallows) and Andrew "Ango" Macpherson (Goon: Last of the Enforcers, Dark Side of the Ring). Having lent their talents to the Far Cry video game series, Starlink: Battle for Atlas, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Siege, and horror films like The Ranger (Shudder), MacNeil and Macpherson have created an ominous yet understated and unsettling style of electronica. Characterized by its atmospheric soundscapes and a pulsating, hypnotic edge, the score perfectly echoes the themes depicted in an uncompromising, visually stunning film. "When you're scoring a film, you are creating a soundtrack for a world that doesn't exist," explains MacNeil. "Finding the sounds and melodies for that bleak stretch of rust belt highway in Random Acts was exhilarating. Making music to frighten people is such a unique way to spend your time in a studio. I love it." We want to hear from you! Please email Tera@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #foryou #foryoupage #stayhome #togetherathome #zoom #aspn #americansongwriter #americansongwriterpodcastnetwork Listen & Subscribe to BiB Follow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bringinbackpod/support Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bringin-it-backwards--4972373/support. https://bringinitbackwards.com/

Together with American Songwriter, we had the pleasure of interviewing CAROLINE over Zoom video! CAROLINE is a breath of fresh air. Her soaring vocals, relatable songwriting, and inspiring image is what today needs. CAROLINE is a teen pop singer based in Los Angeles with Southern roots in North Carolina. CAROLINE has been singing, writing songs, and performing her whole life! After going viral with her cover of Miley Cyrus' 'Wrecking Ball' hitting over 30 million views, rising pop sensation CAROLINE shares her hugely anticipated single 'Already There' January 29th. Taking her cues from the likes of Hailee Steinfeld, Britney Spears and Madonna, the young singer-songwriter has already established herself as a force to be reckoned with. Following the release of her hugely successful electro-pop single 'I Know Better' CAROLINE instantly established herself as one to watch out for in mainstream pop. Produced by Dan Book (Britney Spears, Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, and Miley Cyrus) – 'I Know Better' was an instant fan favorite racking over 2.4 million streams in under two months. The single was also a radio hit, picked up by over 80 radio stations such as STOREVER and Xenox. Produced and written by Space Primates (David Guetta, Ciara, Flo Rida) with co-writers Allie Kaplan (BTS, David Guetta) and Grammy award-winning David Brook (Stevie Wonder, Eminem, Keith Urban, Charlie Puth, One Republic), 'Already There' is a dancefloor-ready pop anthem complete with a must-hear drop and powerful vocals from young starlet. CAROLINE has a literal army that supports her. The "CAROLINE Army" is made up of fans who share their everyday struggles of being teenagers and have mutual respect, love, and support for one another. With over 100,000 followers on Instagram, the CAROLINE Army grows greater and stronger with every release. Using her music as a platform to open up a conversation about mental health, CAROLINE is working hard to spread awareness of this problem that often goes unnoticed and hopes to inspire more young people to open up about their issues. CAROLINE is creating relatable pop anthems with purpose. She inspires young people to be confident and not care what others think. It's just the beginning for young starlet CAROLINE and we look forward to seeing what the future holds. We want to hear from you! Please email Tera@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #foryou #foryoupage #stayhome #togetherathome #zoom #aspn #americansongwriter #americansongwriterpodcastnetwork Listen & Subscribe to BiB Follow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bringinbackpod/support Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bringin-it-backwards--4972373/support. https://bringinitbackwards.com/

Together with American Songwriter and Sean Ulbs of The Eiffels, we had the pleasure of interviewing Frozen Soul over Zoom video! Blue light. No heat. A glacial wall of denser-than-dense sound. Dallas Texas' Frozen Soul lives up to their name as the sound of death metal at its most cold and classic. Riff after slow, grinding riff, there's no mistaking the themes of isolation and suffering that permeate the quintet's massive sonic missives. From the first note of the Century Media debut, Crypt of Ice, it's like the march of Game of Thrones' Night King put to sound: nothing subtle about it at all. Frozen Soul's brand of straightforward, in-your-face death metal is a gasp of fresh air in a genre that's stretched the very limits of technicality. Fully formed in 2018, the quintet has rapidly made a name for itself and churned the underground with a sound that evokes the old school sound of bands like Obituary, Mortician and Bolt Thrower. That reverence for death metal's roots was apparent from Frozen Soul's initial four-song Encased In Ice demo (which includes a cover of Mortician's "Witch's Coven") that was released in early 2019 on California's cave dwelling, knuckle dragging, Maggot Stomp Records. Not that Frozen Soul's journey has exactly been overnight. The band's roots can be etched back to 2007 in Green's time as drummer in Metallic Hardcore turned Death Metal band, End Times. Blame it on the power of the blunt-force riff and a love for death metal's past, but in part, blame it on being a band from Texas, a state whose metal roots run deep. From Pantera to Power Trip, sheer heaviness runs in Frozen Soul's home state's musical bloodstream. A chance 2016 meeting with guitarist Michael Munday at a local comic book shop over a game of Magic: The Gathering laid the foundation for Frozen Soul. The two had an instant chemistry and shared love for the likes of games, music and well of course, Bolt Thrower, that became the primordial ooze from which Frozen Soul would eventually emerge. With End Times guitarist and Crypt of Ice producer/mixer Daniel Schmuck – who has also worked with the likes of Creeping Death and Power Trip – Frozen Soul came together quickly. Bassist, and Tattoo Artist Samantha Mobley, along with Drummer Brady Tripp would fill in the starting lineup and by early 2019, the band recorded their inaugural demo and played a near sold-out first show in March, opening a stacked bill topped by death metal contenders, Blood Incantation and Necrot. The band circulated through members which led to the addition of Green's long time friend and Drummer Matt Dennard, together hit the road to the West Coast by the Summer. In October they followed the West Coast tour up a run through the Midwest with thrash crossover monsters, Plague Years. A steady diet of in between local gigs with the likes of Gatecreeper, Exhumed, Vader and Obituary, really got their name out there among the local Texas scene, but hitting the frozen roads of the east coast in January 2020 with Death Thrashers Steel Bearing Hand brought their icy reign full circle solidifying their spot nationally. With every show, the band became a more oppressive wall of sound, a snow-machine enhanced atmosphere. In truth, Frozen Soul had arrived and both fans and the metal press had given them the stamp of approval. Just a few months after its release, the band's singular demo-turned-EP was already winning them high praise in many year-end critics' polls. Brooklyn Vegan pegged Frozen Soul for one of the most anticipated metal albums of 2020 and Invisible Orange's writer Rhys Williams gave Encased In Ice the #4 spot in his Top 10 records of 2019. In another surprise turn, the band received a call from Century Media and found themselves inking a worldwide deal with the label. With its line-up filled out by Steel Bearing Hand bassist, Chris Bonner playing second guitar, Frozen Soul entered the studio in early March 2020 to record its first full-length with forme --- 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/