Bringin' it Backwards

We had the pleasure of interviewing Stefano May over Zoom video! Stefano is a singer, songwriter and piano virtuoso who fuses soul, pop and classical for an enthralling musical journey. The talented songwriter's music is marked by hope, love and connection in the aim to heal. Born in Soveria Mannelli, Italy, Stefano took to music at an early age and began classical piano training at age seven. He quickly gained notoriety by performing on popular Italian TV shows, and since then has collaborated with famed songwriters, as well as the famed director Franco Zeffirelli. Honing his craft further, the musician and singer has ultimately composed and scored motion picture soundtracks under the guidance of award-winning filmmaker Jamal Joseph. 2019 marked the beginning of his solo project, when Stefano began collaborating with famed producer Chico Bennett (Madonna, Lady Gaga, The Killers, Prince). His debut single "Prayer" highlights the songwriter's warm and confessional vocals brimming with such passion, and yet such delicate vibrato tones. Stefano's otherworldly vocal delivery glides with memorable melodies over intimate piano. The moving lyrics detail the act of loving again after hardship and disconnection. With comparisons to Sam Smith, Andrea Bocelli, and Michael Bublé, "Prayer" marked a graceful and exciting debut for this generational artist on the rise. In Stefano's latest single "We Are The Power," the songwriter invites us all to take part in healing the world together. The glorious composition features soulful vocals, a soaring melody, and a vivacious chorus complete with a gospel choir for a most heartfelt demonstration of love, optimism, and vitality. Stefano confides, "It is a song that describes the importance of every person's mission to use their individual gifts to unify the world in harmony and peace." After almost two years of collective hardship and widespread disease, "We Are The Power" is the perfect anthem to inspire bright beginnings for the new year ahead. Stefano aims to bring people together through the power of music. By sharing his gifts, he empowers others to do the same. "Music is made to heal your soul. People find commonality in the music they listen to and every song has the right time and place for each of its listeners." We want to hear from you! Please email [email protected]. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #StefanoMay #WeAreThePower #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 Em Beihold over Zoom video! Emerging as one of the year's breakthrough acts, Los Angeles singer and songwriter Em Beihold (pronounced bye-hold) unveils the music video for her buzzing single "Numb Little Bug" Moon Projects/Republic Records. The visual seamlessly translates the song's story and energy to the screen, evoking her sharp sense of humor and even sharper songwriting sensibility in the process. It serves as the perfect companion to this rising hit! "Numb Little Bug" has affirmed Em as a dynamic phenomenon. After tallying 12 million streams during its first week alone, the song has eclipsed 60 million global streams and counting. At the same time, the song debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and saw Em debut at #4 on Billboard's Emerging Artists Chart. Quickly capturing #1 on the Spotify Global Viral 50 Chart and #2 on the Spotify US Viral Chart, the song has been flying up the Spotify US Daily top 200 chart and is currently Top 30 and climbing on the Spotify Weekly Top Songs USA chart. The song also leapt into the Top 10 on the TikTok US Top Tracks and has become one of the "Top 10 Most Added" songs at Top 40 radio. What's more, the song is Top 40 on the Official Singles Charts in the UK, Canada and Australia. Next up, Em accompanies Anson Seabra on The Wonderland Tour. It kicks off on April 19 in Dallas, TX at HOB Dallas Cambridge Room, visits major markets coast to coast, and concludes on May 11 in Los Angeles, CA at El Rey Theatre. A quirky and pensive pop anthem, the lyrics of "Numb Little Bug" quickly resonated with audiences this Summer when Em shared a short snippet of the song on TikTok. Upon release, the clip generated a staggering 1.5M likes and 6.4M views on TikTok, with a new clip of the official recording receiving 1.7M views on the platform earlier this month. Laced with airy piano, the bouncy verses give way to an intoxicating and irresistible refrain as she ponders, "Do you ever get a little bit tired of life, like you're not really happy, but you don't want to die, like a numb little bug that's gotta survive?" "Numb Little Bug" illuminates the idiosyncrasies of what fans can expect from Em's signature style. It paves the way for much more music to come from Em Beihold soon. We want to hear from you! Please email [email protected]. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #EmBeihold #NumbLittleBug #TikTok #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 Brandon Davis over Zoom video! Brandon Davis' grassroots popularity is skyrocketing and PEOPLE calls him a "TikTok sensation." He sold out the House of Blues in Anaheim, CA over capacity on word of mouth and his 1.6+ million TikTok fans alone. He sold out a Georgia venue over capacity a few weeks later — people were standing in the back of the room to hear Davis and his guitar. Davis was hand-picked by Tim McGraw to open for his 2022 tour. Prior to making music, the Chattanooga, TN-native and father of four worked as a Sprinkler Systems Design Engineer. He never felt he could chase the Nashville spotlight as he needed to support his family. After a life-threatening car accident left him in the ER for weeks, Davis saw the opportunity for a second chance to do what he truly loved - make music. At the suggestion of his wife, he began posting Tik Tok videos of himself singing original songs and covers of country favorites by Chris Stapleton, Brad Paisley, and others. It wasn't long before he gained followers left and right, amassing 1.6 million followers on the platform. Now, Davis is signed to Nashville-based label, artist development, and publishing company Big Yellow Dog Music. Davis' debut album 'Hearts Don't Rust' is out now via Big Yellow Dog Music. We want to hear from you! Please email [email protected]. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #BrandonDavis #HeartsDontRust #BigYellowDog #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 Justin Kawika Young over Zoom video! Justin Kawika Young, the singer songwriter who has honed his sublime skills as a member of Colbie Caillat's band and as a co-founder of their hit collective Gone West, has struck out on his own and is sharing a new song—the effortlessly melodic "Back To The Blue." One of the most uplifting songs in his repertoire, Young weaves past experience and newfound wisdom with heady ocean metaphors that vividly illustrate his post break up state of mind. Produced and performed by Young, the song, which is the title track from his recently released solo album. ABOUT JUSTIN KAWIKA YOUNG Born and raised in Hawai'i, Justin Kawika Young first found success in his island home. He accumulated eleven number-one hits on Hawai'i radio before relocating to Los Angeles. He quickly established a following in the local music scene there and connected with other singer/songwriters including ‪Colbie Caillat, eventually joining her band. Young toured with Caillat as her acoustic guitarist/background vocalist and co-wrote two songs on Caillat's All Of You album. In 2019 Justin and Caillat formed a band in Nashville with two friends called Gone West. They debuted at The Grand Ole Opry in October of 2019 and their first single, What Could Have Been, hit the top 25 at Country radio. Gone West has accumulated of 30 million Spotify streams. We want to hear from you! Please email [email protected]. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #JustinKawikaYoung #ColbieCaillat #GoneWest #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 Steven Malcolm over Zoom video! Steven Malcolm intends to make 2022 his breakout year with the announcement of his third studio album, Tree, due out June 3, 2022, through IVAV, a division of Curb | Word Entertainment. He sets the tone for the project with the spellbinding track "Respect" produced by renowned DJ/Producer Sango and UMoore. Malcolm is curving the fakes and claiming a stake as an exceptional force in hip-hop, no questions asked with "Respect". The track debuts as Malcolm begins his 5-city Long Live The Hype Tour with Jude Barclay and Mark the Baddguy. The cool, commanding bop finds Malcolm bossing up on naysayers. "Respect" is a follow-up to the bangers "Rooftop Freestyle" co-produced by Grammy Award winners BoogzDaBeast (Kanye West), FNZ (A$AP Rocky), and Dayme alongside "On Point" featuring Dove Award winner KB. After accumulating more than 58 million global DSP streams and 13.1 million YouTube views in 2021, Malcolm's desire to elevate his name is a constant theme on his forthcoming album. Tree is an eclectic depiction of Malcolm's past, present, and future. The album features several award-winning artists such as Snoop Dogg, Shaggy, Social Club Misfits, and KB. It arrives on the heels of Malcolm's 5-track EP All Is True which garnered wide acclaim and reached more than 1.9 million total streams. All 16-tracks explore Malcolm's spiritual depth and versatility as a hip-hop artist. From the international smash "Fuego (R3HAB Remix)" featuring dancehall icon Shaggy (5 million combined Spotify streams) to the Dove Award-nominated anthem "Glory On Me" featuring Childish Major & Taylor Hill. Malcolm mixes the spirituality of Sunday morning with the energy of Saturday night. We want to hear from you! Please email [email protected]. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #StevenMalcolm #AllIsTrue #SnoopDogg #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 Autumn Rowe over Zoom video! Autumn Rowe recently won "Album of The Year" for WE ARE at the 64th Grammy Awards! Autumn was also nominated for 3 additional award for her contributions to Jon Batiste's WE ARE. Autumn co-wrote five of the album's 13 tracks, and received nominations for "Record of the Year" for "Freedom" (a track she also produced); "Best Traditional R&B Performance" for "I Need You" and "Best R&B Album" for WE ARE. The legendary songwriter and woman of color has collaborated with some of music's biggest name such as Dua Lipa, Pitbull, Zendaya, Nicole Scherzinger, The Knocks, Leona Lewis and Avicii! Autumn also wrote the dance anthem behind the 2011 FIFA World Cup "Happiness" featuring Alexis Jordan! Rowe isn't just a talent songwriter, but also a celebrated vocal coach. She has appeared on season 2 of The X Factor, and as the only vocal coach on America's Got Talent for five years, between the show's eight and twelfth seasons. As if all of this wasn't enough to keep her busy, Rowe is a talented DJ who is self-taught on turntables. Growing up in the South Bronx, Autumn Rowe has cited her early musical influences as Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey and TLC. Currently living in Los Angeles, Autumn continues to write and mentor both established and emerging artists. She most recently collaborated with Jon Batiste, and Diana Ross while continuing to work on her own projects as an artist and producer. Her talents as a vocal coach have also been sought out by singing competitions including the Music Is the Universal Cure Song competition and the Ascap Peggy Lee Songwriter Competition. As a coach and advocate for artists and songwriters, Rowe took the position of co-director for the Coronavirus Songwriter Emergency Relief Fund in 2020, offering grants to support songwriters through the pandemic Her time as an accomplished songwriter has given her a platform to speak as an activist for songwriters. As a Black and Jewish songwriter with a primary focus on the fight against racism and antisemitism. We want to hear from you! Please email [email protected]. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #AutumnRowe #JonBatiste #WeAre #GrammyAwards #64thGrammyAwards #AlbumOfTheYear #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 The Ballroom Thieves over Zoom video! While never shying away from topics and ideas they are passionate about, The Ballroom Thieves – Martin Earley and Calin Peters – have charmed fans around the country. Their catalog has amassed hundreds of millions of streams, garnered key press (NPR Music, Rolling Stone, The Washington Post) and radio support, and gained a loyal live following, with sold-out shows and festival spots at Boston Calling, Newport Folk, and Calgary Folk. After a major car accident, the onset of the pandemic, and the departure of a band member, the duo have been learning to roll with the punches. "We were able to step away from a lot of the big three-part harmonies and for the first time we recorded most of the album live. We try to let change inspire us, even when it comes with difficulty." It's an artistic statement that doubles as a life mission. The pair both emphasize that they've learned to navigate complicated situations, including their struggles with depression, which often color their songs. If they can impart anything to listeners, it's that talking about mental health is not a weakness—and that sharing any of life's trials can be a source of strength. We want to hear from you! Please email [email protected]. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #TheBallroomThieves #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 Michelle Willis' over Zoom video! Singer, songwriter and keyboard player Michelle Willis' sophomore record Just One Voice is out now on GroundUP Music. Featuring performances by David Crosby, Michael McDonald, Taylor Ashton, Grégoire Maret and Becca Stevens, the album is produced with Fab Dupont (Andre 3000, Gregory Porter). In celebration of the new release, Willis is debuting a new video for the single "How Come," featuring vocals by Michael McDonald.. "How Come" comes on the heels of the album's previous singles, "Trigger," "Green Grey" and "Liberty," the latter featuring vocals from both David Crosby and McDonald. Just One Voice was written during the intensity of non-stop travel, penned from the cramped seats of buses, planes and countless green rooms. One night, out on the open road, Willis played the title track for Crosby, her mentor and bandmate, who urged, "No one else sounds like this. This is you. You have to make this record." Shortly thereafter she was able to secure a prestigious grant from the Canada Council for the Arts which set the recording process in motion. Michelle Willis is a Canadian singer-songwriter and keyboard player based in Brooklyn. A Toronto native, she moved to New York in 2016 with few prospects, save for a monthly residency at Rockwood Music Hall. Within months she was touring in two bands led by David Crosby (David Crosby & Sky Trails and David Crosby & Lighthouse) and another by pop/jazz composer Becca Stevens and opening for jazz/funk collective Snarky Puppy across the globe. Willis has cemented her place as an in-demand keyboard player and singer, touring and recording with a diverse array of artists such as the aforementioned Crosby and Stevens as well as the Zac Brown Band, Iggy Pop, Laura Mvula and Michael McDonald. Just Once Voice follows her debut record, 2016's See Us Through. We want to hear from you! Please email [email protected]. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #MichelleWillis #DavidCrosby #JustOneVoice #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 girlfriends over Zoom video! Pop-punk duo girlfriends (Travis Mills + Nick Gross)announce their new album (e)motion sickness out June 17th via Big Noise and release two exhilarating new tracks, "High Again" and "Toaster for a Swim." "High Again" mixes different contradictions with a lyrical playfulness akin to Panic! At The Disco and begins with a simple guitar strum, while "Toaster For A Swim" takes the drama of a breakup and turns it up to 11 with a fiery blend of riffs and breathy vocals. (e)motion sickness is the highly anticipated follow-up to the bands' self-titled debut, which was produced by John Feldmann (5 Seconds Of Summer, blink-182, The Used), and included standout tracks like "California," "Where Were You" (featuring Travis Barker), and "Jessica." Girlfriends conjure songs that are once pleasingly familiar, warmly unique and passionately vulnerable and (e)motion sickness is just that. "This is the most vulnerable I've been through my music," Mills says. "The music I made in the past was fun, but it wasn't an accurate representation of anything I was going through in my life. I had profound experiences and tragic losses, but I didn't talk about them. I struggled with severe anxiety and depression. So, there's a lot in girlfriends' songs that I've never said before. This kind of music really allows those topics to come to life and accentuate them." The two new tracks follow "Missing You" and "Pretty Mouth," which will also be included on the new album. Channeling the anguish of a breakup into a pure cathartic release, the tracks soar with molten intensity. Praised by Alternative Press, SPIN Magazine, Loudwire and more, girlfriends make music both timely and timeless, while providing a fresh twist to the caffeinated pop-punk they grew up on. In concert, the duo are a live force to be reckoned with. With their energy being magnified tenfold live, girlfriends have sold out venues like The Roxy in Los Angeles and and recently shared the stage with Bad Suns at The Fonda and The Observatory, Santa Ana. Stay tuned for additional tour dates into 2022. We want to hear from you! Please email [email protected]. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #girlfriends #TravisMills #TMills #NickGross #motionsickness #Emotionsickness #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 Hrishikesh Hirway over Zoom video! Acclaimed musician and Song Exploder host/creator Hrishikesh Hirway's first EP under his own name, Rooms I Used to Call My Own, is out now. The album features collaborations with a long list of acclaimed artists, songwriters and producers including Yo-Yo Ma, Jay Som, Baths, Jenny Owen Youngs, Jimmy Tamborello (The Postal Service, Dntel), Jonathan Snipes (Clipping), John Mark Nelson and Grammy-winners John Congleton (St. Vincent, Sharon Van Etten, Angel Olsen) and Kimbra. Rooms I Used to Call My Own marks the first time Hirway has released music under his own name following five critically acclaimed records under the moniker The One AM Radio. A deeply personal work, the EP is informed by Hirway's experiences as a podcast host; eschewing the inward gaze of his previous work as an artist, Rooms I Used to Call My Own instead focuses on collaboration, each song formed out of a conversation of sorts with everyone he's brought into the project with him. Likewise, the subjects of the EP are all other people: the people he loves. The songs are about the deep love and appreciation he holds for his wife, Lindsey, as well as his parents and family. Hirway is also set to continue his Spring tour with Jenny Owen Youngs, performing select dates throughout the west coast in May. They'll be on stage together, doing one combined set of all their songs, performing as a duo. Jenny and Hrishikesh have collaborated as co-writers on several songs and are both storytellers, as hosts of popular, award-winning podcasts: Hrishikesh with Song Exploder, The West Wing Weekly and Home Cooking; and Jenny with Buffering the Vampire Slayer and Veronica Mars Investigations. These special performances will be a mix of songs and stories from two dear friends; find tickets HERE and see below for a list of dates. Hrishikesh Hirway has been producing music for over two decades; first with his project The One AM Radio, and later with MOORS, a collaboration with Oscar-nominated rapper/actor Lakeith Stanfield. As a composer, his credits include the Netflix original series Everything Sucks!, the theme for ESPN's 30 for 30 podcast and the theme for the Song Exploder series on Netflix. Hirway launched the award-winning podcast Song Exploder, where musicians take apart their songs and tell the stories behind their inspiration and creative process, in 2014. Since then, the podcast has been streamed and downloaded over 65 million times, and has featured guests including Fleetwood Mac, Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, Solange, U2, Arcade Fire, Metallica, Lin-Manuel Miranda, The Roots and many more. We want to hear from you! Please email [email protected]. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #SongExploder #HrishikeshHirway #RoomsIUsedtoCallMyOwn #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/