BiB: Lexi Norton (Echos) – How a DM Changed Everything: From Small Town to Millions of Streams!
What happens when you tell the world you're going to be a singer at age five—and then actually make it happen? In this episode of Bringin' it Backwards, Adam Lisicky sits down with Alexandra (Lexi Norton) of Echos to uncover the story behind her music journey that started in a small town outside Portland, Oregon, and has taken her all the way to millions of streams and a dedicated global fanbase. Lexi opens up about the early validation she received from family and strangers in her hometown, the importance of delusional belief on the path to becoming an artist, and how Echos was literally started through a Twitter DM—a connection that would put them on the map with chart-topping tracks on Hype Machine. We talk about finding her voice as a shy kid, why songwriting has always felt like her diary, and how she navigated Echos' evolution from a viral online duo to a full-fledged band, especially after her original partner amicably left the project. If you've ever wondered what it feels like to see your music on a show like Love Island, or why letting vulnerability drive your lyrics matters, this conversation is full of honest, grounded insight that will resonate with anyone chasing a creative dream. Make sure to follow and subscribe to Bringin' it Backwards for more stories straight from the artists themselves!
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BiB: Damian Kulash - The Untold Story Behind OK Go's Wildest Music Videos
Get ready to see a side of OK Go you've never heard before. On this episode of Bringin' It Backwards, Adam Lisicky sits down with Damian Kulash, frontman of the Grammy-winning icons behind some of the most creative music videos ever made. From growing up in the DC punk scene, finding his voice at Interlochen camp, to building OK Go's signature blend of jaw-dropping visuals and infectious pop hooks, Damian Kulash brings you into the heart of what makes the band tick. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just getting to know OK Go, this episode goes deep: how a love of visual art became part of OK Go's DNA, why "Love" and its mirror-and-robot video nearly took years to piece together, and what it feels like to hear your own songs in a whole new way once the world gets a hold of them. It's not just about music— it's about connection, creativity, and trusting that "the thing only you can do" is the path worth walking. If you want insight on career longevity, balancing parenthood with creative ambition, and tips for aspiring artists straight from Damian Kulash himself, you can't miss this conversation. Welcome to Bringin' It Backwards—the podcast that takes you behind the scenes with legendary and rising artists, and shows you how stardom is really made. Don't forget to listen, subscribe, and join the conversation!
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BiB: Chris Kelly (Hillhaven) - How Lindsay Lohan Inspired My Rock Career!
What if your entire journey as a musician started with a Lindsay Lohan movie? On this episode of Bringin' It Backwards, Adam Lisicky sits down with Chris Kelly of Hillhaven, who opens up about growing up in the Philadelphia suburbs, finding inspiration in the unlikeliest places (think Freaky Friday), and the rocky path from bedroom guitarist to fronting his own band. Chris Kelly shares how music was always swirling around his family—even if it wasn't always encouraged as a career—and how a chance at the original School of Rock set him on a path that took him from playing Pink Floyd covers as a kid to headlining real venues in Philly before the age of 14. You'll hear how he built his skills through countless bands that fizzled, what it takes to assemble a dream team of seasoned musicians when you're starting a new project in your thirties, and his honest, sometimes vulnerable take on stepping into the spotlight as a lead vocalist for the first time. If you're curious about the behind-the-scenes of launching a new band, navigating creative insecurities, and the lessons Chris Kelly learned the hard way, you'll want to stick around for this episode. Don't forget to subscribe to Bringin' It Backwards for more unfiltered stories from the artists shaping tomorrow's music.
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BiB: Nikitaa – From Mumbai to LA: How She Defied Tradition & Broke Into the Music Industry
What happens when you're the first in your family to chase a dream everyone else kept secret? On this episode of Bringin' it Backwards, Adam Lisicky sits down with Indian singer-songwriter and producer Nikitaa—an artist who grew up in Mumbai surrounded by music, yet never saw anyone actually turn their passion into a career. That is, until she decided to break the mold. From early poetry scribbled in a black diary, to piano lessons she begged her mom for, Nikitaa opens up about leaving home for Los Angeles with more ambition than a plan, stepping into LA's music scene wide-eyed, and debuting music that unexpectedly racked up thousands of streams and editorial playlist placements. Hear her talk about weathering cultural expectations, why she learned to produce and engineer her own tracks during the pandemic, and the deeply personal, vulnerable stories behind her upcoming album—including the healing power she found in telling her own truth through songwriting. This is not just a conversation about music. It's about risk, being your own advocate, the joy (and terror) of finally being seen, and learning to trust your voice—especially when you're the very first one in your family to use it. If you're someone looking for road-tested insight on finding authenticity in your music career, hit play and subscribe to Bringin' it Backwards wherever you get your podcasts.
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BiB: Doobie - Real Talk on Addiction, Recovery & Reinventing Himself with Rock
On this episode of Bringin' It Backwards, Adam Lisicky sits down with Doobie, an artist whose raw blend of rock and hip hop—and brutally honest storytelling—has built a dedicated fanbase. Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, Doobie shares how a childhood filled with his mom's eclectic music—from Metallica to Tupac—sparked his love for genre-bending sounds. He opens up about writing poetry as a kid, turning those words into rap verses, and eventually teaching himself beat-making and engineering in high school. The conversation digs deep into how one chance encounter with a local DJ completely changed his career, how touring with Jelly Roll and Yelawolf shaped him as an artist, and the wild, almost-derailed journey behind his breakout track "When the Drugs Don't Work"—a song that exploded on YouTube and changed his life overnight. Doobie gets vulnerable about his battles with addiction, finding purpose in recovery, and pushing his music head-first into a bold, rock-driven direction ("Early Bird Gets the Whiskey" is just the beginning). If you're an aspiring musician (or just love real stories from artists on the rise), you'll find plenty of inspiration—and unfiltered truth—right here. Stick around to hear advice you won't get anywhere else, and don't forget to subscribe to Bringin' It Backwards for more backstage stories from today's most compelling artists.
Bringin' It Backwards: podcast – giving driven musicians the invaluable insight they need to succeed in the music industry, by revealing how legendary musicians achieved stardom.