Jeffrey K. Elkins – The Bass Blog

Occasionally the band gets together to talk about what we hope becomes of The Anna Ross Project – what we want to be when we grow up. Early-on the focus was on “getting a record deal for Anna”, and doing whatever it took to make that happen, and we were all down for that. We put our egos aside (as much as we could J), and worked toward the goal… that was fun, and there was (IS!) no question that Anna’s worthy of the effort. She writes better and sings as well or better than most of the chart-topping punks I’ve heard, and better than all of the girls left on American Idol.

Lately, though, the focus has changed – it seems that we’re talking more and more about making a living with our music, and even more about doing stuff as a band. We’ve had discussions about what we personally want to achieve in the band, and we’re all starting to sort-of “inject” our own goals into the process… and it isn’t distroying us or make us any more dysfunctional!

 Even though several people around me suggested it, I tried very hard NOT to encourage the change to the acoustic format, rather making like Switzerland; because at the end of the day it was something I wanted TREMENDOUSLY, but didn’t want to impose my desire on the process and stated goal. But I have to tell you – I couldn’t be happier with the way it’s turning out. Everyone I show the video of Let Go on YouTube raves. “You guys sound much better acoustic” and “I think you really have something with this setup” and “I can’t believe it took you this long – this is the formula that will work” etc. Daynellen and Jason both love it and think it was a smart move. They respected the work before, but this is ringing right with lots of folks. This morning I listened to Love Letter on Anna’s myspace site – it sounds as good as it did live (and I SO love that we can hear the audience laugh on the recording during the line “when my hair is gray and yours is gone”). 

Anyway, back to goals… This Sara Bareilles video catches my throat because it PERFECTLY captures one of my all-time “wish it could happen to me” events. I want to be sitting in a car / truck / minivan / suv with the rest of the band when one of Anna’s songs comes on the radio from an album that we put together. I want to scream and hoot and beat on the steering column and share that moment. And I wouldn’t mind capturing it on film…

Be free,
Jeff