‘Staring at the Sky’ – New Album by Violinist Anna Stafford

A year after releasing her critically acclaimed indie debut album ‘String Music’, Anna Stafford is busier than ever, caught in a crazy whirlwind of traveling and rocking like no other classically trained violinist fans have ever heard before. Facing the future head on with a sense of optimism that her fascinating hybrid rock classical vibe will continue to capture hearts and spirits everywhere, she calls her latest CD ‘Staring At The Sky’. With kinetic song titles like “On An Airplane,” “Arizona Washington” and “Oklahoma California” complementing the music’s soaring melodies and percussive grooves, Stafford was heavily inspired by all the globetrotting she did as a first-call touring musician over the past year.

As a key ensemble member of the global multi-media music performance phenomenon MASS, she performed in Hong Kong for nearly three weeks; a party in The Bahamas for basketball legend Michael Jordan; and a show in Calgary. In May, she’s playing 18 shows in Japan as part of a Los Angeles based contemporary tribute orchestra that performs the music of the legendary Percy Faith.

Stafford’s schedule back home in L.A. has been equally full. Last year, just as String Music was being released, she performed at Staples Center with the multiple award winning Dixie Chicks at the Grammy Awards; this year, she was up on the Grammy stage again, playing behind Kanye West’s memorable, multi-faceted presentation that included famed house music duo Daft Punk. At Christmastime, she played next door at the Nokia Theatre in an orchestra for Christian artist Michael W. Smith’s holiday concert. Earlier in 2007, she headlined with her own music at the Los Angeles Art Show and did several local club gigs, including one at Molly Malone’s.

Stafford’s been the go-to girl for everyone in need of an extra cool kick to their pop and classical music from the moment she moved to L.A. after receiving her Master’s in composition from Arizona State in 2002. As a solo act or working with the string quartet she launched soon after she got to town, she’s enjoyed a variety of multi-genre gigs: performing at the 2007 Emmy Awards Party, the Governor’s Ball after The Oscars, the JC Penney Jam and the Grammy Awards; playing on TV behind pop superstars LeAnn Rimes, Andrea Bocelli, 3 Doors Down, Mary J. Blige and Kelly Clarkson (“The Tonight Show,” “The Early Show,” “Good Morning America”); performing in Europe and the Middle East—including a recent tour of churches in Salzburg, Vienna and Budapest; and playing onstage with Thrice, 30 Seconds To Mars, Jack’s Mannequinn and the legendary Steve & Eydie. She’s also done arrangements for the documentary “Alexander The Great” and the short film “Well Sooted.”

Both live and on String Music, Stafford performs on a 2006 David T. VanZandt violin (whose style is based on the legendary work of the Italian Guarneri family in the 17th and 18th centuries), an 1813 Wilkenson and Perry Irish Fiddle. For rock gigs, she performs on Ned Steinberger electric violins and will soon be using a 5-string NS model.

On March 16, 2008, we interviewed Anna Stafford on SouthwestBlend.com’s online radio show ‘Champagne Sundays’. We played songs ‘Oklahoma-California’  and ‘Many Thoughts’, both off her new album, and she talked with us about her signature sound that blends rock and classical, her favorite gigs, and more. To hear the entire, unedited show, click here. To listen to her music and hear her interview, please double click the play button below.

 

For more about Anna Stafford, her albums, and upcoming performances, visit www.annastafford.com