On this episode of Bringin' It Backwards, Adam and Tera Lisicky sit down with Jake from In Hearts Wake for a raw, insightful look at his unusual journey from the creative beaches of Byron Bay to the international heavy music scene. Jake opens up about growing up surrounded by artists—his mom, a tarot card reader; his "bonus dad," a hardcore punk frontman—and how the wild energy of side-stage moments at legendary shows set him on the path to forming In Hearts Wake, his first and only band. From recording DIY demos for school art projects to traveling across the globe to capture their signature sound, Jake shares how In Hearts Wake found early recognition, carved out a unique identity around powerful themes like environmentalism, and pushed boundaries with cryptic album concepts inspired by tarot cards. He explains how their newest release completes a 12-year journey, finishing what they started as teenagers by turning the remaining tarot archetypes into thunderous new songs. Jake also talks candidly about the band's evolution, the heartbreak and hope of longtime bassist Kyle's upcoming departure, and what it really takes to keep a creative partnership together for over a decade. Along the way, you'll hear about secret album easter eggs, epic on-stage energy, and the power of making sure your art comes from a real place. If you're an aspiring artist, a fan of heartfelt heavy music, or just love personal stories about forging your own path, don't miss this episode. Listen now to get inspired, and make sure to subscribe to Bringin' It Backwards for more backstage access to your favorite artists' real stories.
