Denver-based indie-pop band Dressy Bessy was led by singer/guitarist Tammy Ealom, who began her musical career as a member of the little-known 40th Day; in time she left the group to focus on writing her own material, eventually joining the earliest incarnation of the Minders. A series of short-lived projects (including a stint in Sissy Fuzz) followed before a frustrated Ealom befriended drummer Darren Albert, and with bassist Rob Greene they formed Dressy Bessy, issuing their debut single "Ultra Vivid Colour" in mid-1997. Ealom's boyfriend, Apples in Stereo guitarist John Hill, signed on for 1998's You Stand Here EP; the full-length Pink Hearts, Yellow Moons followed early the next year; California, the band's sophomore album, was issued in late 2000 .