With the recently released, Electrified, Dressy Bessy shows they have no intention of leaving their high-energy vintage pop sound that's turning more heads all the time. Even NPR's critic Ken Tucker has picked up on them, here's what he had to say in his "Coldplay vs. Dressy Bessy" review: "What person with a healthy heartbeat wouldn't rather listen to Dressy Bessy? The band's new album Electrified is electrifying!" says Tucker. "I listen to a band like Dressy Bessy after listening to Coldplay and I think that I must be living in an alternate universe; where the spunkiest, most life-affirming music is pushed to the margins to make room for the coldly played stuff that announces its intentions to be life-affirming, and then can't quite heave its huge ambitions into the postition of making good on that promise."
In this David/Goliath review, as well as the hearts of Dressy Bessy fans everywhere, this energetic band lead by the sweet Kim Deal-ish voice of Tammy Ealom proves that the band with a big heart from the small label can beat out the big guys with less muster. Here our interviewer Arie Musil chats with Tammy via email about this new-found popularity, touring, and more:
Interviewer: Arie Musil
Musician: Tammy Ealom
Arie Musil: Let’s catch up on a few things first. What have you been doing lately?
Tammy Ealom: Riding in a van, rockin' out & drinking LOTS of beer with The Jessica Fletchers!
Musil: And how are the rest of Dressy Bessy?
Ealom: Everyone is doing great! The band is stronger than ever.
Musil: With Electrified having been out for a few days now, have your anticipations on it been fulfilled?
Ealom: No expectations here, we've learned over the years to roll with punches...lots of great response though;)
Musil: What track(s) are you most proud of?
Ealom: As far as the recording & mix, Electrified...love the entire record though!
Musil: Tell me about the recording process for it and how it all came together. How long were you in the studio for?
Ealom: I spent last summer/fall demo-ing the songs. We lost a drummer and so I had to buy a kit and learn to play..well enough to put the songs together... We asked an old friend (Craig Gilbert) to join in and learn the songs for recording only, we're keeping him now though, he just fits in so well!
After several months of practice, we packed up and headed to NYC December 2004 to record. We started out ( with basic tracks - drums, bass, loud guitars etc.) at the Magic Shop, a fantastic studio I must add - this took about 3 days I believe;) Then we moved on over to Great City in Chelsea, this is a smaller studio owned by our friend/producer/engineer Britt Myers. NOTE: Britt worked with us on the previous record. Here we banged out Vocals, keys, percussion & MORE guitars....spent 10 days tracking there, went home & came back a couple weeks later to mix (it took about a week)!
Musil: What bands were you listening to at the time? Do you believe that they influenced this album?
Ealom: The Jessica Fletchers! Certainly they've influenced us in some way:) We were listening to a lot of Lynard Skynard at the time too!
Musil: Assuming your new songs have been and are being played during this tour with The Jessica Fletchers, how have the fan’s overall reactions been to them?
Ealom: Great! The crowds have been pretty split, we'll have kids freaking out and singing older songs (not familiar with Electrified yet), then others who seem to only know the new stuff! The crowds have been gracious to say the least!
Musil: And while on the road, who are you currently listening to now? Any underground bands you’d like to share?
Ealom: Ahem, The Jessica Fletchers of course! They have a new album out as well!
Musil: Your website states, ‘Check in with your local record stores for possible instore performances!’ When was the last time you had performed in a record store? Do you plan on playing in any during this tour? Being an intimate setting, are they otherwise any different from larger concerts for you? What do you prefer?
Ealom: We love playing instores! We strip down for them, teeny guitar amps & less bombastic drums....it's a completely different experience for us & our fans! We have a few scheduled for this tour...
Musil: What are your biggest hopes for this year, anything in particular?
Ealom: To stay on the road through winter & beyond!
Musil: As for some of your previous work, you were included on the soundtracks to both Cartoon Network’s "Powerpuff Girls," and the movie "But I’m A Cheerleader". What were these experiences like, and how was it to be able to collaborate with the producers?
Ealom: In both cases we were approached with fantastic projects & of course were happy to oblige!
Musil: In one interview, you said after John loaned you his four-track while he was touring with Apples In Stereo in 1996, you discovered you had a strong songwriting skill. Do you remember the first song you ever wrote? And speaking of John, how do you feel about being involved in two bands? Would you ever consider a side project?
Ealom: Yeah, the Tascam 424 changed my life, literally! The first song I ever recorded was called "Mr. Man", we've never recorded it as a band ... I love the Apples in Stereo...we've been fortunate to have our releases staggered enough to where both bands can exist respectively without stepping on the others toes. I have considered side projects, but the DB keeps me plenty busy for now!
Musil: It seems that no matter what the song subject, the band’s music and your pretty vocals make it so cheerful and positive. Are there any messages you like to send across to your fans throughout your lyrics?
Ealom: My biggest inspiration comes from negative experience...writing a great song is therapy for me. My lyrics are open to interpretation. Alot of times I'll sit down to write a song that starts out being about one thing and then in the end turns out to be something else entirely once it's finished...
Musil: And what about your incredible sense of style -- what brought upon an interest in that attire, and where do you find it? Is this vintage look a part of your home as well?
Ealom: Yeah, I've been collecting vintage for years, (John & I live together) our house looks like a flee market & IS in a way! We've started selling stuff we score at thrift stores (via ebay mostly) to make room for the must have goodies we continually find! When friends bands stop through town & stay at our place we offer up clothes, etc. for super cheap...
Musil: You’ve come a long way since you debuted in 1999 with Pink Hearts Yellow Moons. How have your career goals changed since then, or have you already achieved what you set out to?
Ealom: Well almost, still gotta work a day job to pay the rent when not touring...
Musil: What's been the most memorable moment for you so far?
Ealom: I'm always tickled when I hear DB on the radio!
Musil: How was your CD release party back in Denver on the 17th?
Ealom: Great!
Musil: What’s your two cents for our readers today - would you like to add anything?
Ealom: Buy Dressy Bessy records (The Jessica Fletchers too) & turn them up loud and shake your ass, it's great exercise!
-Arie Musil 06/29/05
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