BiB: New Translations – "Just Make It Happen": The DIY Secrets That Got Them Signed
Release Date: 10/22/2025
BiB: Bailey Spinn – From Viral TikTok Star to Hard Rock Trailblazer (The Untold Journey)
Bringin' it Backwards
On this episode of Bringin’ it Backwards, Adam reconnects with viral sensation and rock artist Bailey Spinn. You might remember Bailey from TikTok, where she first blew up during her college days—but when she last joined the show, she hadn’t even released her own music yet. Fast forward three years: Bailey’s debut EP “My Worst Enemy” racked up millions of streams, her breakout single “Happy Ending” took off far beyond her expectations, and she’s since dropped her powerful debut album “Loser.” Adam and Bailey dig into how she transformed her social media following into a...
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BiB: Craig Johns Jr - How a Movie Soundtrack Idea Became The Dark’s Heavy-Hitting Band
Bringin' it Backwards
On this episode of "Bringin' It Backwards," Adam Lisicky sits down with Craig Johns Jr for a raw, honest conversation about his journey from a small suburb outside New York City to building a new life and music career in Los Angeles. Craig Johns Jr dives into his early obsessions with guitar, first tours at just fifteen, and the twists and turns of being in multiple bands—each chapter pushing him closer to finding his own sound. He opens up about the leap of faith it took to leave behind family, familiar scenes, and childhood friends to chase his ambitions as a producer and songwriter. The...
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BiB: Lexi Norton (Echos) – How a DM Changed Everything: From Small Town to Millions of Streams!
Bringin' it Backwards
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...
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BiB: Damian Kulash - The Untold Story Behind OK Go's Wildest Music Videos
Bringin' it Backwards
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...
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BiB: Chris Kelly (Hillhaven) - How Lindsay Lohan Inspired My Rock Career!
Bringin' it Backwards
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...
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BiB: Nikitaa – From Mumbai to LA: How She Defied Tradition & Broke Into the Music Industry
Bringin' it Backwards
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...
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BiB: Doobie - Real Talk on Addiction, Recovery & Reinventing Himself with Rock
Bringin' it Backwards
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...
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BiB: Cecilia Castleman: Riffs, Truth Bombs, & Making a Record with Don Was: Road to Breakthrough
Bringin' it Backwards
What does it really mean to grow up in a household where songwriting isn't just a passion—it's the family business? On this episode of Bringin' It Backwards, Adam Lisicky sits down with rising Nashville artist Cecilia Castleman for a raw, insightful look into her journey from Franklin, Tennessee’s cow fields to the brink of her debut album release. From picking up a guitar at age six (instead of a twenty-dollar bill for the mall) to landing a publishing deal at eighteen, Cecilia Castleman and Cecilia Castleman share how a musical family, relentless work ethic, and a willingness to keep her...
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BiB: Calvin (The Happy Fits) – Going Viral Overnight: How A DIY EP Changed Everything!
Bringin' it Backwards
On this episode of Bringin’ it Backwards, Adam Lisicky sits down with Calvin Langman of The Happy Fits for a candid, electric conversation about growth, vulnerability, and the wild ride from local family jams to viral indie stardom. Calvin—who grew up on a DIY farm in West Jersey surrounded by musical siblings—shares how he went from goofing off with parody songs inspired by Weird Al to writing the band’s breakout EP during high school. What started as a passion project quickly skyrocketed as their DIY artwork accidentally landed them on Spotify’s US Viral charts and brought offers...
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BiB: Alexandra Savior - How Bipolar Disorder Shaped Her Most Raw and Honest Album Yet
Bringin' it Backwards
What happens when everything you thought your music career would be takes a sharp left turn—not once, but over and over again? On this episode of Bringin’ it Backwards, Adam Lisicky sits down with the wildly talented Alexandra Savior for an honest, vulnerable conversation about reinvention, resilience, and staying true to her creative self through the ups and downs of the music industry. Alexandra opens up about her journey from rainy Vancouver, Washington to New York Fashion Week as a teenager—thanks to an unexpected shoutout from Courtney Love—and the whirlwind that followed: signing...
info_outlineWhat does it take to turn a love of music into a thriving band, and why do some artists find their truest path only when they let go of what they thought they wanted? On this episode of Bringin' it Backwards, Adam sits down with Oliver Pierce and Isaac Midleton from New Translations—a rising Nashville band whose journey defies convention and expectations.
Oliver grew up in Kentucky, Isaac in Chihuahua, Mexico (where he met bandmate Ben), but fate brought them together on orientation day at Western Kentucky University. Both came from religious upbringings and backgrounds in musical theater, yet found themselves craving the creative freedom and authenticity that only music could offer. What started out as late-night writing sessions and long drives for studio time quickly turned into a bold leap—moving to Nashville alongside their bandmates, with zero industry connections and only a shared passion guiding the way.
In this conversation, you’ll hear how New Translations crafted their unique live show, what it was like to literally build their fan base from “20 people in Atlanta” to selling out Nashville’s legendary venues, and the lessons learned from letting go of tightly held concepts in their songwriting. They open up about the challenges and victories of playing shows across the country, their distinctive approach to blending shoegaze and dance music, and why community matters more than the latest TikTok hit.
Whether you’re just starting your own music journey or fascinated by what it really takes to build a band from scratch, this episode is packed with honest advice and inside stories that don’t usually make it to the stage.
Listen in to hear New Translations’ story—and don’t forget to subscribe to Bringin' it Backwards for more candid conversations with legendary and rising artists.