On Ross Beach’s newest project, recorded under the nom de rock Ross Island Bridge, he employs a little help from his friends. For the album Volume 1: The Process Is Now the Work, Ross recruits lead singers from all over the Portland music community because, as he says, "It was a great way to combine my own musical projects with my love of Portland music in general."
While Ross Island Bridge is the name of an actual bridge over the Willamette River in Portland, the name can also refer to Ross bridging the gap between his solo works and his collaborations. On Volume 1: The Process Is Now the Work, Ross bridges yet another expanse – combining his fuzz pop roots and experimental sensibilities with more upbeat and danceable electronic sounds in the mode of New Order and Of Montreal.
The vocal contributors to the Ross Island Bridge album each interpreted the songs in their own styles, creating unique collaborations. The singers are noteworthy in their own right:
Anne Adams performs as Grey Anne and in the band Sweater!
S. Brooks performs in Minmae.
Levi Ethan Cecil performs in Brothers Young, Heroes & Villains, and Leviethan.
Kaitlyn ni Donovan is a solo musician and soundtrack composer.
Adrienne Hatkin performs in Autopilot is for Lovers, Porches, and Wooden Indian Burial Ground.
Ali Ippolito performs in When The Broken Bow, Heroes & Villains, Marmits, and Rainbow & The Kittens
Nick Jaina performs in the Nick Jaina Band.
Pat Kearns performs in Blue Skies For Black Hearts.
Amanda Kelly performs in House of Badger.
Jon Ragel performs in Boy Eats Drum Machine.
Chris Robley performs in Chris Robley & the Fear of Heights and The Sort Ofs.
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