SXSW Watchlist: Eisley

Now that the SXSW music festival is upon us, it’s time to take a last minute look at the bands you should really be paying attention to during the week.   I’m thinking the best way to do that would be to put the spotlight on Tyler, TX. band Eisley.  Now some of you may have forgotten about this band since they’ve been quiet for a couple years now in the music world, but we haven’t!  We’re also excited to hear that new material is on the way soon.  I’m sure that the first new album since 2007s Combinations will no doubt continue to bring those sweet pop jams we’ve grown accustomed too from Eisley.  We also had the chance recently to speak with front lady Sherri Dupree Bermis about her band.  Follow the jump to read the SXSW oriented questions.

ATH: We’re still rather early in 2010, so what are your band’s expectations or hopes for the rest of the year?

Sherri: 2010 has been/is/going to be an exciting, scary, growth-spurt year for Eisley. We’re out of our contract with Warner Bros and are ready to dive into a hands-on “DIY” approach which has always been more our style, and our belief system. Some acts like to have their label pushing the pieces around, but it’s like… now we’re in control of our own destiny. So I’d say – what we’d like to see in 2010 is to become an example of the fact that if you are passionate about your art, you can make it happen. The industry is topsy-turvy right now and everyone is scrambling to figure out how to make it all work but I have complete faith that the music will survive! Big changes can be unnerving but we’re honestly thrilled to be off the giant conglomerate label… In most cases this would sound ike a cover up for “We got dropped” but in our case… it’s party time. One of my favorite quotes is “You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore” (Christopher Columbus)…I think it’s safe to say this year Eisley has definitely lost sight of the shore.

ATH: If you were creating a festival, who are the headlining acts? Who would never be allowed to play?

Sherri: Hmm… Paul McCartney would be opening for Eisley. All the crappy world-famous pop-stars who can’t even play 3 guitar chords wouldn’t even be allowed onto the grounds. If you’re a pop-star who can actually play an instrument you MIGHT be allowed in but if not – you have to wait by the hot-dog stands while bands are switching on main stage. *evil grin*

ATH: You have one twitter post to promote your band at SXSW, what does that post say (140 characters)?

Sherri: “If you come see mine, I’ll come see yours”. hehehe

ATH: We can we expect the next Eisley record?  Do you see yourself going in a new direction?

Sherri: Soon soon soon! It is coming out this year; that much I know. And… we try to always move ahead and grow but retain what it is that makes us “Eisley” and made our fans fall in love with our music all these years.

ATH: Best record of the year… GO

Sherri: “Trespassers” by Kashmir! They’re one of Eisley’s favorite bands and we’re getting to share the stage with them at SXSW this year… Go go gadget dream-come-true!

Many thanks again for the well thought out answers Sherri.  Your best chance to see Eisley for free would be:

Tuesday March 16th @ The Pure Volume House (504 Trinity St.) RSVP here: http://www.purevolume.com/thehouse

10pm Eisley

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/04GollySandra.mp3]

Download: Eisley – Golly Sandra [MP3]