Bringin' it Backwards

We had the pleasure of interviewing CAL over Zoom video! The former front man of the band Timeflies, CAL moved to Los Angeles, CA in 2015 and engulfed himself in the artist/producer/songwriter scene. His work with some of the top writers and producers in LA has helped him find his voice as a solo act, more mature and self assured, while also very much a leading man. 'Roll the Credits' is the fourth single to come from his forthcoming EP, releasing this Fall on Photo Finish Records., CAL's been working in LA producing and writing tracks for a bunch of Tik Tok stars like Griffin Johnson, Benson Boone (1.6M), Anson Seabra + more. He's really established himself as the "go-to" producer in that scene. CAL's release "In the Water" with Quinn XCII was featured on MTV's season finale of Siesta Key a couple weeks back, and has done over 10M streams WW (all platforms). In the Water has been used in a few big Tik Tok videos including one from Kira Kosarin (25M followers). We want to hear from you! Please email [email protected]. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #CAL #Timeflies #zoom 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 AVATAR over Zoom video/audio! The heavy metal 'n' roll dark madcap visionaries collectively known as AVATAR are ambitious, Swedish rock sorcerers of the highest order. They smash the boundaries between the band, theater troupe, and cinematic masterminds with a series of celebrated albums and videos, and the immersive world of Avatar Country, a fantastical land where metal rules supreme. In keeping with their customary larger-than-life-ness, the band is back with not one but TWO brand new songs. Avatar have shared the official music video for "Going Hunting," directed once again by Johan Carlén, and fan track "Barren Cloth Mother." The black and white, animated visual for "Going Hunting" features a giant insect as its protagonist, faceless men in suits, the band performing, and much more in its storyline. It's a glorious and cinematic visual, which is expected from the band. The band has also announced its signing with a new label. They are now part of the Thirty Tigers roster and have launched their own Black Waltz Records imprint. We want to hear from you! Please email [email protected]. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #AVATAR #zoom 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 José James over Zoom video! Out now, the jazz voice of the hip hop generation José James (Rainbow Blonde Records) releases his first ever Christmas album Merry Christmas from José James. In addition to the album release, José also premieres the official performance video for the original track "Christmas in New York" today. The contemporary album celebrates the holiday season while honoring classic jazz and pop records of the 1950s. Combining the classic jazz-crooner elegance of Frank Sinatra and Nat "King" Cole with the earthy sophistication of soul legends Stevie Wonder and Donny Hathaway, the ten track Merry Christmas from José James takes listeners on a world-class holiday experience from one of the greatest living voices in jazz. Listeners can find two original tracks, "Christmas in New York" and "Christmas Day" along with popular ballads such as "The Christmas Song," "White Christmas," "Let it Snow" and "This Christmas," a modern twist on the Donny Hathaway holiday favorite. In James' version, he musically brings an aspect of R&B and hip-hop to the mostly Jazz collection. Songwriting for the project was spearheaded by José James and his partner, recently Grammy nominated Talia Billig. The album's studio band features Grammy winning and nominated all stars Ben Williams (bass), Aaron Parks(piano), Jharis Yokley (drums) and Marcus Strickland (soprano saxophone). Produced by José James and Brian Bender and recorded by Ariel Shafir at Dreamland Studios, the album was mastered by Frank Arkwright at Abbey Road Studios. The session was recorded completely live on 2" tape and mixed in LCR (left-center-right) by Brian Bender at Motherbrain West. "It's the perfect album to put on whenever there's a certain spirit in the air," James says. "I hope that people can feel a little bit of the joy and the wonder, year round, that 8-year-old José felt, not only about Christmas and all the obvious things—the ornaments, the tree, the holiday season—but also the music," he continued. A 13 date tour to support the album will launch at SF Jazz in San Francisco on November 27th and conclude at New York's City Winery on December 14th. Stops also include Seattle, Portland, Santa Cruz, LA, Phoenix, Santa Fe, Minneapolis and Chicago. (All tour dates listed below). About José James James, a Minneapolis, MN native who spent most of his career in New York, was discovered by Gilles Peterson in London before his major label debut with Blue Note Records. He has produced and written 11 albums covering the best of jazz, pop, hip-hop and R&B. In 2017, José made his screen debut with a performing role in Fifty Shades Darker. He now lives in Amsterdam with Talia Billig, his partner and Grammy nominated songwriter. We want to hear from you! Please email [email protected]. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #joséJames #zoom 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 Ultra Q over Zoom video! Oakland-based four-piece band Ultra Q have released their new EP Get Yourself A Friend today (via Royal Mountain Records). Fronted by Jakob Armstrong and featuring brothers Enzo and Chris Malaspina as well as Kevin Judd, the new EP was co-produced by Armstrong and Martin Cooke (Of Monsters And Men, Death Cab For Cutie, Destroy Boys) and features songwriting from Stefan Babcock, lead singer of PUP. Click HERE to buy/stream Get Yourself A Friend Click HERE to watch the video for "Get Yourself A Friend" Ultra Q have also released the official music video for the title track today which was shot by Pennacky, the Japanese director behind all of the music videos for 88Rising's soundtrack for Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of Ten Rings. Upon meeting Armstrong and Pennacky immediately connected on their love of The Cure and a deep-cut video that inspired Pennacky to attach the camera to a rope for the new visual. Pennacky is also an avid fan of the Ultraman Sci-Fi series and drew from the original plot to shape the story of the video. Opening double-shot "Pupkin" and "It's Permanent" soar to the heights of Ultra Q's powers in much different ways; the former a black-clad romp through a rainy graveyard, the former pushing straight to the clouds with its soaring chorus. "Straight Jacket" veers pleasantly close to the jangle-pop of the Go-Betweens. "Bowman" features guitars like cats getting into a scratch-fight while an astoundingly metronomic drumbeat is played live rather than punched out on a beat pad. Closing the EP is its title track, an affecting end credits anthem full of nostalgia and a twinge of regret. On the song, which Babcock helped to arrange, Armstrong shares, "I think this track sums up what this EP is supposed to be, a coming-of-age farewell to our youth. It's about being young and in love. Being reckless, and overstimulated. Feeling like the tragedies in your life are permanent and without any direction. We've grown up, even if it's ever so slight." As a whole, Get Yourself A Friend marks the synthesis of a songwriter's vision and his band's ability, forged through an invisible existential threat and an ever-changing world, eager to show what they've found while we were all inside. Ultra Q's previous EPs, In a Cave in a Video Game and We're Starting To Get Along, saw the band gain praise from the likes of Rolling Stone, NME, and Vice, in addition to leading to tours with The Regrettes, Hockey Dad, and Bad Suns. Jakob Armstrong—youngest son of Green Day frontman Billie Joe—began playing guitar at seven years old and honed his craft privately until about sixteen, playing in bands in and around Oakland after meeting friends with like-minded tastes in music. Soon enough, with the memories of Ultraman action figures fighting in his mind, he and a group of friends he cultivated from those years playing around and pouring over records, formed Ultra Q. The band will play Atlanta's Shaky Knees Festival in Spring 2022. We want to hear from you! Please email [email protected]. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #UltraQ #Punk #EastBayPunk #zoom 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 Saint Jaimz over Zoom video! Saint Jaimz. He is making a comeback with his remake of the timeless 90's smash hit "Gentle (Calling Your Name)" by Frederick. Saint Jaimz' version entitled: "Being Gentle," comes after decades of diligent work making a name for himself in the worldwide music industry as an independent artist. The singer-songwriter, producer, and CEO, Has Recently Released The Nostalgic Cover Song Masterpiece, "Throwback The Covers" Volume 1 EP. Saint Jaimz' timeless voice is bound to blast you back to the iconic sound of 90's R&B. The Chicago-born musician takes a highly creative approach to music — adding his own innovative spin on the popular stylings of the genre. Saint Jaimz' innate ability to bring back to life the classic sound of R&B, has seen him gain the attention of fans, critics, and moguls from every kind of genre. Noting that he doesn't just make "love songs" he creates "LIFE songs". The kind of tracks that can be returned to again and again for timeless joy and wisdom for years to come. 2020/2021 has been an exceptional year for saint jaimz and his team at his indie label household Name Entertainment. Saint jaimz has gained an independent music following in the last 8 months unseen in many circles in the mainstream or independent industry in a while. "Being gentle" hit the Indie Soul Charts in July 2020 and went from the 30th spot to the #1 indy soul record in the nation on September 6, 2020. Saint Jaimz as an artist was nominated for and won the best new artist (new comer) in indie soul for 2020. Saint Jaimz released his Throw Back the covers volume 1. EP. to rave reviews and critical acclaim! With over 5.2 million streams and counting as well as 2.2 Million streams on the single "Being Gentle" alone. This hit maker is well on his way to a remarkable run as an indie artist with mainstream industry chops! Saint Jaimz has since been releasing countless well-received throwback hits. Saint Jaimz 'timeless voice is bound to blast you back to the iconic sound of 90's R&B. The Chicago-born musician takes a highly creative approach to music — adding his own innovative spin on the popular stylings of the genre. Saint Jaimz innate ability to bring back to life the classic sound of R&B, has seen him gain the attention of fans, critics and moguls from every kind of genre. We want to hear from you! Please email [email protected]. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #SaintJaimz #zoom 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 Kevin Ross over Zoom video! As he has his sights back on cracking Billboard's Top 10 once again (currently #11 on Billboards' Adult R&B charts), former Motown Records' singer-songwriter Kevin Ross, is back with a brand-new project and he's more sophisticated than ever. With a new, more defined style in both his music and fashion choices, the Washington, DC born, and current Philadelphia native is on the brink of superstardom. Unlocking new chambers during quarantine which included acquiring a Bernedoodle named Kosby, Ross preaches about being an indie artist and entrepreneurship and the importance of owning your music. Kicking off Season 2 of his viral hit sensation "The Mash Up Show" which has featured guests such as Avant, SWV, Anthony Hamilton, and more, he turned his viral mashups to showcase and celebrate other artists with the use of social media to market his original music. A true pioneer for indie R&B artists, Ross weighs in on the current state of R&B and why nostalgia is in with samples, how he's adjusted to touring during a pandemic, blending the lines for his artistry with an upcoming collaboration with Afro B and Rotimi, tackling the international marker with his introduction to the Afrobeats scene and his new project, "Drive 2" out now. This GRAMMY nominated and #1 Billboard chart topping recipient who has written for Toni Braxton, Tank, NE-YO, Trey Songz, and more is the future of R&B music. We want to hear from you! Please email [email protected]. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #KevinRoss #zoom 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 Geographer over Zoom video! Synth-pop luminary Geographer recently released his newest album, Down and Out In The Garden Of Earthly Delights, an 18 track voyage of synth-pop bliss. Formed in San Francisco, Geographer is the moniker for now Los Angeles-based artist Mike Deni. Earlier this month he announced a headlining U.S. tour that will launch in San Francisco on March 8th and includes stops in Chicago, Boston, New York, and more before wrapping on April 16th in Phoenix, AZ. He is also confirmed for Treefort Festival and for the Just Like Heaven Festival 2022. ABOUT THE ALBUM & GEOGRAPHER: "I hit a ceiling in San Francisco. I was writing a lot more songs with people in LA, so I moved down. I didn't really have any friends and just spent way too much time alone, making music. I wasn't thriving, I was surviving. Everything feels possible here. That's the vibe of LA: You've made it to paradise! You should be really happy...and then nobody is. There's a lot of darkness —you have to sift through everything to find your own path," remarks Deni. While recording his album, engineer Jules de Gasperis showed him an image of the famed, 15th-century triptych painting "The Garden of Earthly Delights," depicting alternate realities of paradise, hell, and reality. "It's like, why are we all so bummed out? We are all miserable. And we're in paradise." And thus, Down and Out in the Garden of Earthly Delights—recorded between Spring and Winter of 2019 —was born. Part social scientist, part troubadour, if Geographer is an expert at anything, it's precisely chronicling life's imperfections. He has headlined many national tours, played Outside Lands, Firefly, and other festivals, released two critically acclaimed albums, and performed with such musical luminaries as K.Flay, The Flaming Lips, Young The Giant, Tycho, Ratatat, Betty Who, and Tokyo Police Club. We want to hear from you! Please email [email protected]. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #Geographer #zoom 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 Lafemmebear over Zoom video! As an up-and-coming producer, Mitchell worked alongside producers for Boyz II Men, Grammy-winners The Jackie Boyz, Eric Dawkins of The Underdogs, Polo Molina of Will. I. Am/The Black Eyed Peas, and Interscope Records producers from Nelly's songwriting team. When she came out as a transgender woman in 2013, she was effectively blacklisted from the industry despite her skill and accomplishments, including a 2012 Grammy win for album engineering. This only prompted Mitchell to take her music into her own hands under the name Lafemmebear in 2018. The arrival of her first indie release, Blaq* A Note to the World, showed that her sound has evolved into a genre-blending experience speaking to the trials of Black queer, trans femmes. The music video for the EP single "SHUTUP! (feat. Bella King)" premiered on Billboard.com in March of 2019; she subsequently became the first Black trans woman to headline the state of Utah's Pride Festival in June, performing original music to an audience of over 60,000. Her words and work have since been featured by The Guardian, MTV News, GLAAD, Queerty, Out.Tv Euro, and Autostraddle. Her first full album, Blaq: the Story of Me, premiered Fall 2019 and is available on all platforms. She is composing, mixing, and sound designing part of the original score for Alice Sheppard and Kinetic Light's new work WIRED. In 2020 she collaborated with PEG Records, Cody Belew, and Dustin Ransom to co-write and produce the first mainstream Pop-R&B single "What You're Looking For" for Rupaul's Drag Race's Peppermint. She and Peppermint later collaborated with Mila Jam in a remake of Sounds of Blackness' "Optimistic," an anthem for Trans Day of Remembrance 2020. In February 2021 she opened for Chika at Stanford University's Black Love concert, premiering songs from her new EP titled My Blaq Feels. We want to hear from you! Please email [email protected]. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #Lafemmebear #zoom #lgbtq+ #lgbtq 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 Matteo Bocelli over Zoom video! Capitol Records released acclaimed singer/songwriter Matteo Bocelli's debut solo single, aptly entitled "Solo." Over lush orchestral arrangements, delicate piano played by Matteo himself, and the vivid neons of modern pop production from GRAMMY® winner Jesse Shaktin, he sings passionately and clearly about lost romance, forging a new path and the void felt when a loved one is just out of reach. "Missing you with every breath I take," he sings. "Wishing you were with me when I wake." Matteo wrote the song with Fiona Bevan and Marco Guazzone. Download / stream "Solo" HERE. The accompanying video, which was also released today, is rich with symbolism and the natural beauty of the majestic Dolomites mountains, located in northeast Italy. It was directed by Gaetano Morbioli, who also helmed the official video for "Fall On Me," a duet that paired Matteo with his father, opera legend Andrea Bocelli. View the official video for "Solo" HERE. Matteo Bocelli, who is graduating at the Conservatory of Lucca in Tuscany, says, "Over the past three years, Capitol Records has given me a rare opportunity – to have time, to study, to write new music, to rehearse – and I'm really proud to be able to release this first song." Much of the world first heard Matteo on "Fall on Me," the English/Italian song that he co-wrote for the elder Bocelli's acclaimed 2018 album, Sì, which topped the Billboard 200 and the UK Official Albums chart. The song, which has amassed nearly 300 million combined global streams, went on to soundtrack Disney's The Nutcracker and the Four Realms. The pair performed "Fall on Me" at Madison Square Garden and the Hollywood Bowl as well as on numerous television programs, including "Dancing with the Stars," Colbert, "Good Morning America," "Royal Family Variety Performance" and "Strictly Come Dancing." It was a powerful introduction, yet Matteo's musical journey began when he was a child. By age six, he was learning piano, and at 18 he debuted on stage to sing Verdi at the Rome Colosseum. He's worked his whole life to master his craft. But the melodies that emerge whenever the young man opens his mouth feel real in a way that can't be explained by a classical education. He sings with a purity of expression that seems innate, with charisma and clarity of purpose. We want to hear from you! Please email [email protected]. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #MatteoBocelli #zoom 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 Garrison over Zoom video! For fans of Joyce Manor, The Get Up Kids, and Quicksand, the band has drawn from many influences to create a hyper-melodic sound that ranged from hardcore to emo — all without fitting neatly into any genre. They executed a complex and unique sound, seamlessly combining technical guitar riffs, melodic vocals, and heavy breakdowns in a way that few bands were able to achieve. Coveted as "a beauty of a record" by KERRANG!, "The Bend Before the Break" remains their most popular release as the record harnesses a raw and genuine youthful energy. Nearly 23 years later, Iodine Recordings presents "The Bend Before the Break" for the first time as a full length LP, including "You're Devastated, I'm Sure" and "Untitled", previously unavailable on vinyl. The new B-Side includes rare and previously unreleased material that spans the band's history from 1998 to 2004, including their first 7" record "24" and their split EP with UK's Hundred Reasons, all fully remastered by Nick Zampiello, produced by Brian McTurnan (Salad Days, Be Well, Battery), and features all new artwork by Dan McCarthy. "The Bend Before the Break" remains a relevant and vital volume in the post-hardcore and emo canon. We want to hear from you! Please email [email protected]. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #Garrison #zoom 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/