[show_avatar email=jess@iwenttoashow.com align=left avatar_size=62] Over the bustling Monday night, half-price pizza buzz of Riley’s Pub, local drummer Sarah Ross talked to me about her newest project, two piece pop-rock collaboration Jump Starts. The result of several informal jam sessions between herself and Pretty Little Empire frontman, Justin Johnson, the band has been feverishly writing and recording, and will open for national up-and-comers Caroline Smith and the Goodnight Sleeps on Monday, January 3rd at Off Broadway.

JL: Tell us about the origin of the Jump Starts. You’re a relatively new act, correct?

SR: We started last October. [Justin and I] work together at Sasha’s Wine Bar. I went to see Pretty Little Empire’s very first show and just fell in love with them. They’re my favorite local band to this day. One night, Justin said, “Maybe we should try jamming some time…you know, just to see what happens?” And we had no real expectations, I guess, about how it would go. He came over, we played music, and it was the easiest thing ever. Right then we decided that we should play again the next week, and the week after that, and the week after that.

JL: You’re used to playing in a more traditional band dynamic. What’s it like to just be an act with a drum set and a guitar?

SR: It’s pretty comfortable, but it definitely feels like I’m held more accountable – I’m half the band instead of a quarter.

JL: How do you and Justin approach writing songs?

SR: He’s the primary songwriter, meaning he handles all the lyrics and all the melodies. Pretty much every song on the upcoming album has started with Justin and a guitar. However, I got this new pair of mallets for Christmas, worked up a beat, and Justin laid down a melody over it for one particular track. That’s the only time I remember starting with drums.

JL: Are you recording?

SR: We just finished recording an album. Jason Torbinsky, the drummer for Theodore, is mixing the record. After mixing and mastering, we’re shooting for the end of March to have that thing back and ready to release.

JL: What’s the album feel like?

SR: It’s fun! I kind of picture people linking arms and skipping down the street to it [laughs]. That said, some of the lyrics are serious even though the beats aren’t. I think it has a nice balance of light and dark. We wanted it to sound a bit loose and jangly while maintaining our composure.

JL: Jump Starts is opening for Caroline Smith and the Goodnight Sleeps. Talk to us about that upcoming show.

SR: We’re too excited! I saw them one night awhile back at Off Broadway; Pretty Little Empire was opening, actually. I really fell for them. Caroline’s just got a unique, expressive voice that needs to be heard live.

JL: What are you listening to right now?

SR: [Chuckles] I knew you’d ask me that! And it’s a good question. Lately, I’ve been getting into Phoenix. They’re not normally what I’d listen to but I can’t turn them off…so catchy. I mean, I made them my ringtone.

JL: Has any local band or artist caught your attention recently?

SR: Oh! Syna So Pro. She loops and sings and – oh my god – that girl rocks! Her act is so interesting and dynamic. The way she layers her voice and the pitches she hits, it’s amazing and it seems effortless.

JL: So why the drums?

SR: You know in like 4^th grade how you get introduced to all the musical instruments? Well, I wanted to play the drums, and my parents wouldn’t let me. They made me play the flute, because it was quiet and more lady-like. In hindsight, I could see why they wouldn’t want to have a little kid banging on a kit in the house, but it still made me mad. As an adult, I eventually found myself living in California with a roommate and bought a cheap junior set on Craigslist.

JL: How old were you by then?

SR: About 27. Yeah, by then I was totally a grown up with money to buy a drum set…so I did [laughs]. I started out teaching myself to play while I was finishing a degree. I made a promise to myself if I made straight As, I’d buy some lessons. The As happened, and so did the lessons, and I’ve been playing ever since.

Sarah also drums for The Paper Dolls, who play a free show at Schlafly Tap Room on January 8th.