I am extra excited about this post! First off I am huge fan of the band Eisley and have been for almost 10 years. I LOVE that they are all family. I LOVE that they are Texan and I just plain LOVE their music. When I listen to them it brings me so much joy, but at the same time makes my heart ache. Watching them play makes me sad that I never stuck to learning music. I am inspired to learn again thanks to them. One member especially is extra awesome. I almost feel like Sherri and I were sisters, seperated at birth. haha! Our ever changing hair colors, and thinking outside the box are a couple reasons why. You will see from her answers that she is a sweet and artistic lady! I’m going to stop yappin and let you read and see for yourself why she is rad-tastik!
Name: Sherri Kay Dupree-Bemis
Location: Tour Bus
Hometown: Tyler, TX
Relationship Status: Married ( to Max of “Say Anything”)
Website(s):http://www.eisley.com
1. When did you first know that you had fallen in love with music?
I’ve wanted to be a singer since I was around the age of four. I just loved it. My mom sings and has a beautiful voice, and my dad was always picking out weird harmonies and they sang together a lot at home, so music and singing were and endearing thing from the start.
2. How many instruments to you play? Which is your favorite?
I am pretty much just a guitarist. I’ve been playing since I was about 13, but I do write a lot of my songs on piano as well though I am by no means a player.
I play all by ear so I just write songs and track them as I go but then completely forget how to play them and leave it up to the real piano player (my sister Stacy) to figure out what it was I was doing!
3. What is the BEST part of being in Eisley?
Getting to sing for a living. It really brings me a lot of joy, you know? And then when you add a room full of people singing along with you, to a song that you wrote…it’s extremely moving! We played it a few nights ago in Anaheim and the crowd was singing so loud to one song that my whole band got choked up! Musicians are apparently emotional people ;)
4. If you could be a member of any other band, which band would you choose and why?
I’d love to be a drummer! I started out playing drums years ago but gave it up for guitar when I started writing music.
But I think it would be fun to drum for a band like Mute Math or the FooFighters.
5. What are YOUR “top 5” favorite albums to date?
In no particular order they are:
‘How it Feels to Be Something On’ – Sunny Day Real Estate
‘Abbey Road’ – The Beatles
‘In the Aeroplane Over the Sea’ – Neutral Milk Hotel
‘Isola’ – Kent
‘Vespertine’ – Bjork
Those records really defined and inspired my writing style from early on and still do.
6. What was the first album you ever purchased? Do you still listen to it today?
It was probably a record by The Judds…they were country, but hey, we’re from Texas!
They had really had good harmonies and melodies and
strong vocals and we basically learned to sing to those records. We still pop them in for old times sake!
7. What would be your most memorable tour moment so far?
We’ve done so many memorable tours in the last 10 years I could never chose one moment.
8. What is your favorite city to play in?
Probably Los Angeles…we just have the craziest fans there and we recorded our first two records in California so
there are a lot of musical memories there.
9. What is the next step for Eisley? Any upcoming tours?
We’re on tour right now! And we have a 5 song EP coming out this November and a new video we shot for ‘The Valley’.
We’ll probably do another tour in the Spring and then start work on our 4’th record!
10. What advice would you have for an aspiring musicians out there?
To do it because you’re passionate about it and love it, and for no other reason. Don’t do it for recognition or to be famous. Do it because you can’t fathom doing anything else with your life.
Recognize your strengths and focus on them and strive to be the best at your gifts as you can. We all have gifts and I think it’s our responsibility to figure out what they are and then spend our lives using them in a positive way.
Always keep pushing forward and don’t ever give up even when it gets hard..because it will be a struggle at times and sometimes you will feel like giving up, but don’t. Because there is nothing more rewarding than doing what you love and especially when it involves inspiring other people.
(begin randomness)
11. Your hair colors are always changing and are always so adorable! What is your favorite color that you like to use and what brand works the best?
Don’t get me started, I’ll talk about hair all day! I remember being so stoked when my mom finally decided I was old enough to cut off and stain my longe blonde locks…I was about 14.
Ever since then, dying my hair became one of my favorite things to do and that’s why it’s changing at least once a month. It’s just such a fun way to express yourself.
Pink is my favorite color to do! (BLUE is it’s current color). And my favorite brand of unnatural colors is ‘Special Effects’. I use the ‘Cupcake Pink’.
WARNING: If you dye your hair, be prepared to get people crap-talking or teasing you, but do not listen to them!! For instance…I constantly get people accusing me of trying to be like Katy Perry or the Paramore singer or [basically fill in the blank of any person who’s ever dye’d their hair and sings for a living], but i’ve never wanted to look like anyone but myself nor have I ever dyed my hair for anyone but myself. Obviously If that stuff bothered me, I wouldn’t keep dying my hair but I’ve reached that point in my life where I truly don’t care what people think about my hair or clothes anymore at all. I’m a 27 year old woman, I’m happily married and madly in love with my husband, I love what I do for a living and I know who I am and even though I’m severely imperfect, I actually like who I am. I think people sometimes forget it’s OK to like yourself.
Life is short and I think you should never stop having fun with your image.
People who make fun are probably jealous that they’re not brave enough or secure enough to have fun with their own look…or they are just hateful and spiteful and in that case, who the heck cares what they think?
12. If you stumbled upon a time machine, what time would you use it to travel to and why?
I’d go back to the 1930’s and go to a circus.
13. You are quite the thrifty/vintage shopper! What is your favorite piece that you have found? And why do you love it so much?
My current favorite is a 1950’s style white and navy nautical striped frock. It’s 100% silk and has a full skirt. My husband helped me pick it out at a boutique we happened on in Israel on vacation and it fits perfectly!
14. If you were written about on the front page of the tabloids, what would it say about you?
“Sherri Bemis…Is a five year old her stylist?! “
15. How did you know that Max was “the one”? tee hee
It was as simple as…I knew. I knew more than I’d know anything else in my life and felt something stronger than I’d ever felt in my life.
I never doubted it and never looked back.
16. I have seen some of your artwork, and I must say that I LOVE it!! What inspires your work?
Nearly everything! I just started drawing for fun when I was about 17 and developed my own style because I just can’t stomach mimicking anything or blatantly ripping people off, so instead I just try to take certain elements about other artists that inspire me and give them my own twist.
I read graphic novels so I’m constantly studying other artists….as well as, obviously, Tim Burton. He’s always been a big influence!
17. What would be the “theme song” of your life at this moment?
It would be something so happy that it would be annoying. I’ve found the perfect soundtrack for fall though and it’s the Coraline soundtrack!
18. If a movie was made about your life who would you like to see play the part as YOU?
Oh gosh….um…Reese Witherspoon? She’s classy but also goofy and spunky and not afraid to be herself…and she’s from the south! –<3!
19. Would it be drama, comedy, romance or a mix?
Definitely a romantic comedy with enough drama to make it not-cheesy.
20. What makes you come alive?
Playing music every night!
Thank you so much Sherri for the amazing answers! You are such an inspiration to me and I know so many others! You are quite a lovely spirit!
