As promised, Denver-based indie rock band Dressy Bessy is back with the second installment of its “Summer Singles” collection. Comprised of the songs “Something To Love” b/w “Wind Me Up”, volume two is available now via the band’s Bandcamp site at: http://dressybessy.bandcamp.com/album/summer-singles-volume-2. While Dressy Bessy is offering the single as a free download, donations are encouraged, as the band will forward all proceeds to Colorado wildfire relief organizations.
Dressy Bessy lead singer and guitarist, Tammy Ealom, along with lead guitarist John Hill (also of The Apples in stereo), bass player Rob Greene, and drummer Craig Gilbert are having fun releasing a series of upbeat summer pop singles, but can’t help feeling a debt to their home state of Colorado. “We’re just torn up about all of the loss involved with the wildfires here, says Hill, adding, “We can’t raise as much as some, but hope that we serve as example and make the point that every dollar counts in this situation.”
The band also felt the need at this time to express its sadness over the untimely death last week of Bill Doss, a close friend, Hill’s Apples bandmate and co-founder of fellow Elephant 6 group The Olivia Tremor Control. In a post on Dressy Bessy’s Facebook page, the band stated, “We find ourselves torn about how to proceed after the passing of our good friend Bill Doss. Our new songs were finished before his passing, so it is not appropriate to specifically dedicate them to him, but we cannot let the passing of such a musical soul stop the music. If anything we’ll just turn the volume up to 11 and dance about in his honor. We love you Billy!”
Hill elaborates, “When you lose dear friends in an untimely manner, it really puts things in perspective, but I spent many hours, days, and weeks on the road with Bill and I know that he would want everything to continue as planned.” Ealom comments, “In my experience, the rock n’ roll world has always been a boys club, but Bill always made me feel included. He was very gracious and respectful of my role as a female songwriter and band leader and always went out of his way to let me know that. There are so many reasons we’ll miss him, but for me, I’ll really miss his charm, and will never forget how comfortable and vital he made me feel.”
Dressy Bessy recorded its last three albums in professional studios, 2003’s Dressy Bessy and 2005’s Electrified with Britt Myers (Chairlift, Yeasayer) and HollerandStomp with Trent Bell (Chainsaw Kittens, Starlight Mints, The Flaming Lips.) This time around, the band has gone back to its do-it-yourself roots. Hill and Ealom share recording duties and Ealom handles creating videos, artwork, and imagery as well. Essentially, the band is able to deliver a finished product without ever leaving the house! Dressy Bessy’s “Summer Singles” are available at dressybessy.com (where you can name your price), iTunes, and Amazon.com.