WHO WE WANT TO BE is the product of four grown-up tomboys playing music and telling stories—some fun, some loving, some growling—all original. These songs witness the world as it and imagine how it could be.

Remember, it’s never too late…who do you want to be? Tell us, at BackboneOutloud@gmail.com.

Because of the love and support we’ve had on our individual journeys and in our journey as a band, Backbone dedicates this album to all those doing the difficult work of becoming themselves—often at great peril and price.

In addition to our usual lineup of Jane, Kris, Christa and Nancy, this CD includes musical contributions from our pals Lilli Lewis, Liz Hogan, Amy Sheon, Shelly Rasmussen, and Hannah Rasmussen. Many others have made spiritual contributions, too many to name, but we know that they know who they are. Karma does its magic in mysterious ways.

Backbone has taken inspiration from other female-positive artists such as Raining Jane, The Shiz, Luscious Jackson, Catie Curtis, The Runaways, Gail Ann Dorsey, Early Girl, Bikini Kill, The Gossip, Betty, The Slits, Girlyman, Kris Delmhorst, Tribe 8, Indigo Girls, Fanny, Apple Betty, Goldie & the Gingerbreads, Patti Smith, Lucy Wainwright Roche, Tracy Chapman, Ani DiFranco, and many many more.

In addition to some of the above influences, individual songs have been compared to the songs of Cake, Train, Weezer, the Decemberists, Matchbox 20, Barenaked Ladies, Hot Hot Heat, and Jim’s Big Ego.

We hope to contain multitudes, and we think that both Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson would both have been our fans. Feel free to tell us who you think we sound like!

The album was recorded in The Green Room in Oberlin, Ohio (named for its ‘70s shag carpet), and was produced by Lilli Lewis & Backbone.