Blessed with a strong, distinctive, and versatile instrument, vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter Sallie Ford's inspired retro-styled music incorporates elements of vintage jazz, blues, and rock. She released an EP and two full-length albums under the Sallie Ford & the Sound Outside moniker with bassist Tyler Tornfelt and drummer Ford Tennis, before deciding to embark on a solo career. Ford had said more than once that one of her ambitions was to form an all-female band, and with the Sound Outside in her past, Ford made good on her promise. Inspired by a handful of her favorite female rockers ranging from Pat Benatar to Exene Cervenka to PJ Harvey, Slap Back was released by Vanguard Records in October 2014. ~ Mark Deming