Throwing it way back by unearthing this long lost interview.

Raised on a musical diet of artists such as Radiohead, Pink Floyd and the Beatles, the five members of Tyler, Texas' Eisley are now turning heads themselves with their stunning full-length Reprise Records debut, Room Noises. Having just wrapped a 60-date opening slot on the New Found Glory "Back to Basics" Tour, and with two weeks to prepare for their first headlining tour, vocalist and guitarist Sherri DuPree somehow managed to squeeze in some time to answer my questions.

Orphaned Apparel: How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it before?
Sherri DuPree: Stylistically speaking I would put us in the pop/rock vein, although our songs tend to have a darker or moodier current running through them than usual pop/rock. I would say our music is very honest. We're not trying to be anybody or anything for anyone.

How did you come up with "Room Noises" as the title for your first album?
It was really the only one we were kicking around from the start. We wrote our whole album in our bedrooms and so it seemed fitting.

What has the process of signing and working with a major label been like?
A learning experience for sure. You're always learning in this business. How to work with people and how to handle your band on a professional level. How to stick up for your band and do what you think is the right thing and to know when to let things happen against what you think is best. It's challenging but it's been a good thing for us, no doubt.

What was it like working with producers Rob Schnapf, Rob Cavallo and John Shanks?
Rob and Rob were amazing. We did most of the album with Schnapf so we got to know him really well. We all had good times. The whole process was a bit tiring but I think it was because it was our first album and we were all learning how to handle the recording process. It was really fun when we went into the studio in our home town and produced our own songs as well.

It's such a beautiful album. It really stands apart from everything else out there right now. What's been some of your inspiration for creating music that sounds like yours does?
I don't think it's just a few things that I could pinpoint for you. It comes from our whole life. Our lifestyle when we were growing up and our relationships with each other, and how we see the world. It comes from all of that. It also comes from reading a ton of sci-fi novels.

Take me through the songwriting process a bit. (I'm still trying to figure out what exactly "Plenty of Paper" is about!)
It's a pretty simple one really. It comes from sitting down at the Wurlitzer organ or guitar in our bedroom and picking something apart. Making up weird things to write the songs about is what I love. You can make even a boring melody interesting sometimes if the lyrics are a weird story. And just for the record, "Plenty of Paper" is just a love song. It's about that feeling you get when you fall in love and you feel like the two of you own the world; like you're invincible together.

Do you have a favorite song on the new album?
I think "Memories" is my favorite because I'm most proud of it. I would love to put it in a musical and have a man and woman sing it. It's so tragic sounding and romantic.

I'm such a fan of the artwork that appears in your EPs and album. Tell me a bit about it.
My dad and I collaborate on the artwork. He does all of the design and layout. He uses my sketches and drawings or weird things to mix into it or put on the merch. It's really fun. I never though I'd be drawing stuff to be used in my band's artwork, but then I never really thought I'd be in a band either. Life is whack o mania.

What is it that you hope people will walk away from your music having experienced?
Something beautiful and something special and refreshing. Something that makes them remember.

How has the "Back to Basics" tour been going?
It was amazing. The most fun tour to date that we have done. The New Found Glory guys and the Reggie guys are amazing people so it was so much fun it was ridiculous. The shows were mostly all good and it was fun visiting so many cities on one tour.

Have a favorite concert experience so far?
No way. I don't have a best. They're all fun and different in their own way.

What music have you been enjoying lately?
Chad from New Found stocked up my iPod with so much music so I've been listening to a lot of different things. We've been jamming out to Shania Twain's Greatest Hits mostly though. Singing it up. He can sing just as high as her. It's pretty impressive. But also Chromeo's new album and as always, the Decemberists.

What do you anticipate is in store for Eisley over the next five years?
I honestly try not to anticipate anything when it comes to our band because the music world is ever changing and always a challenge, so I'm content with whatever happens. I would love to keep touring and making records for years and years but if everyone starts hating our music then I'll be content to sit in my bedroom and write songs for no one to hear but the walls...and bugs.

Any final thoughts?
Live strong!

For more Eisley, stream the Orphaned Apparel Eisley playlist on Spotify:

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