Denver band Dressy Bessy built its reputation on guitar-driven pop and singer Tammy Ealom's breezy vocals. The band is now in its 20th year, but those two decades have been trying at times.
As the band wrapped up a leg of tour dates in support of the 2008 record "Holler and Stomp," they found themselves out of money. A sour economy kept music fans from attending shows and skyrocketing gas prices took a heavy toll on the band's tour plans, leading to cancelations.
"In 2008 and 2009, even Aerosmith canceled a big tour," guitarist John Hill told OpenAir's Alisha Sweeney. "It just all fell apart."
Eight years later, Dressy Bessy will release the new album "Kingsized," out on Feb. 5. Ealom wrote the album in a span of two months following the departure of bassist Rob Greene.
The album features some notable guests, including members of Hill’s other band The Apples in Stereo and former R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck, who had a memorable impact on the single “Lady Liberty.”
Dressy Bessy will head down to Austin, Texas, this March to perform at South By Southwest. The band expects to see many new fans as they return to the stage.
"We've been off for so long that a lot of the people we can call fans now had no chance of seeing us before because they were 14 years old," Hill said. "Probably two-thirds of our crowds are people who are like: 'Oh my God, I didn't think I'd ever get to see you live! I've been listening to you for 10 years!'"
Dressy Bessy has three upcoming Colorado shows on Feb. 4, 5 and 6.
Stream our interview feature with Dressy Bessy above.
