Biography

Anna Butterss is an Adelaide-born bassist and composer who has been based in Los Angeles for the past decade.

During that time, they have toured and recorded with a long list of high-profile bandleaders, songwriters, and indie-rock artists, including Andrew Bird, Phoebe Bridgers, Makaya McCraven, Madison Cunningham, Aimee Mann, Jenny Lewis, Neko Case, Jason Isbell, and Nate Smith. Simultaneously, they have carved a parallel path through the city’s vibrant creative-music scene as a member of the improvising quintet SML and Jeff Parker’s long-running ETA IVtet, as well as a bandleader in their own right.

Butterss’s profile has grown exponentially in recent years, due in no small part to their constant collaboration and a string of critically acclaimed albums released by Chicago label International Anthem. These include their most recent solo album, Mighty Vertebrate, which features their SML bandmates, Jeff Parker, and co-producer Ben Lumsdaine.

Butterss’s involvement with Jeff Parker’s ETA IVtet laid the foundation for much of this path. The group’s seven-year weekly residency served as a proving ground for their uniquely rhythmic and lyrical upright-bass improvisation. Alongside saxophonist Josh Johnson and drummer Jay Bellerose, Butterss is an undeniably equal contributor to Parker and company’s slow-building approach to group music.

SML’s live-performance cachet continues to expand as well. The band played a six-set residency at the 2026 Big Ears Festival, a two-night stand celebrating Aquarium Drunkard’s 20th anniversary at Los Angeles’s Teragram Ballroom, and a number of festivals including Pickathon and Newport Jazz.

Their live and unedited third album, Spontaneous Music Live, received widespread acclaim, including Best New Music recognition from Pitchfork, despite consisting of only two algorithm-defying, 20-plus-minute improvisations. Paste Magazine’s review declared that the album “captures the best band in America, totally uncut and spontaneous.”

In 2026, Butterss was invited to tour as a member of Flea’s Honora Band alongside Jeff Parker, Josh Johnson, and Deantoni Parks, after playing upright bass on Flea’s album Honora.

Selected Discography

As a Leader

  • Mighty Vertebrate — International Anthem, 2024

  • Activities — Colorfield Records, 2022

With SML

With Jeff Parker’s ETA IVtet

  • Happy Today — International Anthem / Nonesuch Records, 2026

  • The Way Out of Easy — International Anthem / Nonesuch Records, 2024

  • Mondays at the Enfield Tennis Academy — Eremite Records, 2022

See Full Discography