Tammy Ealom is the lead singer/songwriter of Dressy Bessy, the Denver-based band that’s been rocking indie pop fans since their debut EP in 1997. Four albums later, the band’s received considerable exposure and wide critical acclaim. The band’s most recent album is Electrified, released on Transdreamer Records.
1) What’s next for Dressy Bessy? Is a new album in the works, or anything else on the horizon?
Yeah, I’ve been demoing new songs for the past eight months or so. We’re looking at possibly releasing an EP in the fall, new album 2007! Until then, on and off touring…we head to the U.K. and Sweden next week, can’t wait!
2) What was it like to play Late Night with Conan O’Brien, versus playing any other venue? Anything interesting happen?
Playing Conan was awesome…very different than playing a club. (1) You show up at the studio around 9am…wait around a bit…sound check…wait around a bit more and then boom one shot and you’re done. (2) It’s not everyday that you play a song six feet away from Max Weinberg and his band.
3) When looking back at the history of the band, has the approach to the music or the focus of the band ever shifted? In other words, do you see the band as having gone through any significant changes that affected the music?
Only that we’ve become a better BAND over the years; it takes time for a group to really get to know what makes each other tick and to respect/accept each person’s role in the band…we’ve had our ups and downs over the past eight or so years, but I can truly say we are better than ever, musically & personally! True love always ~ long live DB!
4) You’ve provided some amazing artwork for the albums; have you had any training and have you always been interested in art?
Yeah, I often say I’m more into crafts and that the main reason I began writing songs was so I could start a band and make band-related stuff…paper, scissors, glue…Photoshop has been a blessing for my busybody ways as well. I always HAVE to be doing/making something whether it be writing/recording music, cutting pasting paper, sewing a new trim onto a new dress, crocheting or transforming photographs. I blame my mother for this, she’d always involve me in her crafts as a kid…yay, mom! (I became interested in photography some fourteen years ago and made a living shooting fashion for eleven…I still shoot tons for the band.)
5) I understand you make and sell your own clothing, correct? Can you explain what it is you do?
I collect/wear vintage 60’s/70’s clothing and have for years. Due to lack of space and constantly buying things that don’t quite fit, I decided to start an eBay shop…I’ll take a longish thrift store granny dress, cut it off into a spunky mini and use the remaining fabric for a matching hat, belt etc. I haven’t had much time for this sort of thing lately, but hope to get back into it soon.
6) What was the inspiration for the “Electrified” music video?
We just wanted something simple, colorful and fun shot within John and my living room. It was a blast!
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