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“We’re definitely dog people,” laughs 21-year old Chauntelle DuPree, the oldest member of the siblings (3 sisters, 1 brother) + 1 (non-related friend) outfit known as Eisley. This revelation shatters my image of the three girlie-girls decorating their rooms in lace, with jewelry boxes full of romantic bounty, and a long-haired Persian kitty purring away on a made-for-pets bed somewhere. Lots of pink and pastels, of course, and canopy beds… the entire Cinderella lifestyle, right?

One can’t be blamed for imagining this sort of “Alice lives in Wonderland” interior decorating when one hears the dreamy and lush music created by this much-too-mature-for-their-age band. Soaring melodies that stack upon each other with the gentlest of angelic voices are buoyed up by smartly placed rock rhythms and atmospherics that’ll turn the ear of a Pink Floyd or Radiohead fan just as quickly as the Lilith Fair singer-songwriter fan of Sarah McLachlan. While the sounds they create are beautiful, don’t use the word “cute” to describe Eisley. It’ll miss the point. Visualize rock posters on their walls rather than ponies and unicorns.

Check out the raw Q&A interview with oldest sister, Chauntelle:

Do you guys feel like you were over-protected? Tell me about how your family helped prepare you for this.

I don't feel like I was over-protected, and I'm sure I speak for all of us on that. We grew up having lots of friends and life was pretty normal for us. We started playing shows in 1998 and by the time Stacy was 12 we were playing in clubs/bars in Deep Elum in Dallas.

Originally you guys were called Moss Eisley. What went down with George Lucas and the Star Wars people? Tell me about that drama. And what was your reaction when you first heard there was potential trouble?

Well, sort of an old story...it was no big drama; WB's trademark attorneys thought that Lukas would sue and win. That's pretty much the story. We never were that crazy about the name anyways.

Tell me the story about how you guys eventually let your little sister, Stacy, be in the band...

Stacy has always been a persistent little girl. Sherri and I had been writing songs together in our bedroom with a friend and Stacy always wanted in to be apart of the fun. Probably because she was only eight years old, we underestimated her musical abilities. A close friend of ours got strung out on drugs and tried to commit suicide. Stacy was so affected by it that she went in her room and wrote a song that she later showed me. That's pretty much all it took for her to be in the band, haha!

What are your perceptions and feelings in regards to the industry known
as the "Christian music world?"

We never really wanted to be in the Christian music industry so we avoided signing with a Christian label, though we were approached by many. Since we weren’t writing songs for the church, it really wouldn’t have made sense. No disrespect to Christian artists, but, to us, Christian music is music for Christians.

What led you guys to pursue Reprise?

We never pursued Reprise...we were approached by many labels in NY and LA.. We just picked the one we liked the best. WB’s values seemed to match ours perfectly. We never expected to get signed to a label at all, but we felt like it was a good direction and we were very thankful for the opportunity. So far it’s been amazing.

How do you feel your faith will or will not be presented as you are promoted, marketed, and exposed to the general public?

Warner Brothers is not interested in changing our image at all. They like us just the way we are. From the beginning they told us they wouldn’t change a thing (music or identity) and they’ve stayed true to their word. Regardless...we are not changing who we are.

Have you seen The Passion of the Christ movie yet? If so, what was your reaction? What do you think of the movie?

I saw it. I thought it was amazing...cried all the way through it... everyone should see this film.

Chauntelle, How did you learn to play guitar?

My dad just showed me a few chords and a few songs and I guess I just kept going. Eventually, they bought an electric guitar and we all started messing around with it. At 16, I started playing guitar for the worship team at our Vineyard Church...the same year we started the band – 1997.

What inspires you more -- strumming melodies, power chords, lead fills, speed, riffage, atmosphere, what? What is your gear setup and what sort of experimenting with your sounds have you particularly enjoyed? Give us a description of your sound, your goals, and your mindset when songwriting.

Tough question... I guess I just like playing what works best for our songs. I’m not into any one sound or style. As for gear, I have several guitars – a Grestch G6131T – very similar to the ‘57 Gretsch George Harrison played, an American Telecaster, a cheap, modified import we call the “Blotus”.(vintage super distortion Demarzio pick-ups, new neck, etc.). I have a Fender Hot Rod DeVille amp and and assortment of pedals (vintage Tube Screamer, Full Drive, Line 6 Delay, etc.) I really just like writing guitar parts for our songs that evoke strong emotion in me.

Much has been said of your guys' maturity. To what do you attribute that?

I’d definitely have to say... our parents, being at home instead of trying to live up to our peers in public school....and then probably great reference: books and great music.(C.S. Lewis, Tolkein, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Radiohead, on and on...)

How did it feel being asked to open for Coldplay?

Like a dream come true.... Literally; I was watching the Parachutes tour from the front row in Dallas just a year before thinking to myself....”wouldn’t it be amazing if our band got to tour with Coldplay one day?” Who would have ever thought it?

What was it like performing on the same bill with them?

Amazing...the guys are so nice... so polite; like gentlemen. They constantly encouraged us... watching our shows from side stage.

How do you like their sound?

...they’re probably one of our favorite bands. They write great songs and their live show is amazing.

How does it feel hearing your name dropped by those guys?

Very humbling.

Let's backtrack a little bit and talk about your early gigs at your parents' coffee house, shows in Dallas (any at the Door?), Cornerstone, and others. What were some defining moments for you guys? What was your experience along the way? Contrast those experiences with playing at the Hollywood Bowl and Madison Square Garden, etc.

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