Which band has logged tens of thousands of miles touring the US and England? Has opened for Coldplay, Snow Patrol, Brand New and New Found Glory? Has worked with top producers Rob Cavallo, John Shanks, Rob Schnapf and Aaron Sprinkle? All of this in less than three years. Whose youngest member is now only sixteen. If you guessed Eisley consider yourself a very well informed indie music fan. While living in Dallas I found out about them and began documenting their journey from unknown band to major label band to watch.
I have seen twenty or more Eisley shows over the years and I was amazed at the maturity and confidence they exhibited Monday night in New Orleans. Lead vocals and harmonies by Stacy and Sherry Dupree floated the polished songs. Fans mouthed “Telescope Eyes” and “Golly Sandra” The “Beatlesque” song “I Wasn’t Prepared” also drew the crowd of 225 to sway and sing along. Songs like “Memories” and “Mr Pine” not only expressed the complicated lyrical style of the band but showed they are fast becoming accomplished musicians, as well. The band’s growth is also exhibited by their boldness to challenge the norm and depart from radio pop. A huge success story of the tour is the introduction of “Head Against the Sky” into the set. It has been said that at the Troubadour show execs were floored by this “new” song even though the band had recorded it years earlier prior to signing with the label. Along with “Over the Mountains” the band demonstrates their progressive tendencies that fans and critics are clamoring for.
The band has met many tour obstacles, from cell phones dropping into their coffee to playing in venues with no air-conditioning in the deep south heat. Always, they keep after it. Monday’s show proved the band has arrived. So far they have managed several sell outs on this tour including LA, Cleveland, North Carolina, Houston and Austin. All this without the support of major print ad promotion or late night tv appearances. It has won several internet battle of the bands contests including Fuse and Yahoo Launch.
Eisley will continue to tour in support of their cd “Room Noises” joining the Hot Hot Heat, World Leader Pretend tour in Florida July 14th. Just 6 days after the end of the current tour. If the progress to this point is any indication we have much to look forward to in the years ahead from this band.
If you have not heard and seen Pilotdrift, be prepared to be amazed. It is very difficult to catergorize this band but they are experimental and progressive with touches of Americana. Another category coming to mind is art rock. Some fans compared singer Kelly Carr to Muse. Everything from Pink Floyd to Queen is seen in their synthesized performance and compositions. Guitar work brings to mind anthems of the past especially on the song “So Long” The band will probably run the same course as another recent success story: Midlake. Ignored by labels until a label connected musician comes along. Thus to Tim DeLaughter of Polyphonic Spree go the spoils. The band will put out its first record nationally on Delaughter’s new label Good Records followed by touring with the Spree. So far the fan response has been excellent with the band’s merch selling out at many shows. They have had to rely on friends to hand draw the cd artwork not being able to wait on factory copies. high.
This is the second occasion seeing Lovedrug, who previously toured with Copeland and Acceptance. The band works the road very hard. They are like a very rocking Coldplay with piano lovesongs followed by Who like rock songs. The New Orleans show rocked. With excellent song selection and showmanship. Fan’s were familiar enough with the songs to sing along on several. Once they get consistent and find their nitch they will be successful. The band will head into the studio soon and begin recording what could be their hallmark album.
