Kissing Cousins: …baby, baby, baby, don’t look back…

posted in: Articles, December 2009 | 0

Kissing Cousins is one of the best up and coming bands that I have come across in a long time. They have a ton of potential and have been getting a bunch of great press from many different sources lately. Kissing Cousins is a five piece band based out of Silverlake California and fronted by Heather Heywood. After having their original demo mastered and released as an EP, they released 2 more EP’s and a single before they released their full length album, Pillar Of Salt, last summer. All of their albums are available through their label, Velvet Blue Music, which many of you probably know is Jeff Cloud’s label.

One of the things that struck me about Kissing Cousins is the use of the flute. I don’t know if I have ever been a big fan of the flute, probably haven’t noticed it much, but on this record it really struck me as something beautiful and a nice addition to the sound. I guess Kissing Cousins can best be described as indie rock with dark, gothic undertones. Kind of like PJ Harvey channeling Nick Cave who has been kidnapped and locked in Mick Harvey’s basement… yeah, something like that. Check these girls out for sure… did I mention that this is an all girl band? You don’t see many all girl bands anymore (they seemed to have been more prevalent back in the early 90’s)… anyway, Kissing Cousins are a band to be reckoned with and a sound to be enjoyed. I think it won’t be long before these gals are in everyone’s iPod or turntable.

Check out Velvet Blues website for all the Kissing Cousins records as well as all the other fine bands found there. Also, check out the link for their latest video at the bottom of the page. The video is for the song “Don’t Look Back” and the video features actor Eric Stolz in a pretty cool video. The other cool thing is that Pillar Of Salt is available on vinyl, white vinyl to be exact, and the vinyl comes with a download card for a digital version (with a bonus track as well). For now, enjoy catching up with Heather and what the band is up to.

1) When did Kissing Cousins come together and who are the players in the band?

2005 was when the band formed. Heather–vox, guitar, Beth–drums, Kara–flute, BGV, keys, Melissa–bass, Alexis–glock

2) How did you get hooked up with VBM?

I met Jeff Cloud when Map went on tour with Starflyer 59.

3) How would you best describe your music/sound?

Dark, melodic, haunting love songs

4) I’m sure you are proud of all your songs, but which songs stand out to you the most off Pillar of Salt? Which are your favorite to play live?

“In Too Deep” and “Don’t Look Back” were both surprises to me because the demo versions seemed bland and boring until everyone put their own touch on the different parts, I adore these songs!

5) Any plans to tour behind the new record?

Yes. We are starting slowly in September. (editor note: they are still playing in and around California, check their MySpace page for dates)

6) Musically, what are the differences between Pillar Of Salt and the EP’s?

Pillar of Salt is definitely more cohesive – The EP’s represent the band as a whole figuring out our style and honing in on our sound, which is now encompassed on the new LP. The songs were written in mind for an album, whereas the EP’s were little fun blips of things we were experimenting with at the time. Also Pillar of Salt was recorded live to tape, so we really had to know these songs and feel comfortable playing them, which I think gives them a different form of life and it is evident in the recordings. I love the EP’s and I think they were a necessary path for us to take to be able to create Pillar of Salt.

7) How has the digital/download age of music affected Kissing Cousins? What are the pros and cons for bands these days?

KC was born during the digital/download and “make your own record in your bedroom” age. It has enabled us to get our music out easier and to a bigger audience. Plus it has helped with the resurgence of vinyl!!!!!!

8) Reading your bio it says:

Kissing Cousins front-tress Heather B. Heywood grew up in the ghetto-rural outskirts of Birmingham, Alabama in the home of her step-father, a charismatic Pentecostal preacher. Most of the congregation was black and Heywood was influenced by soulful and woeful music in addition to witnessing some most confusing situations like exorcisms, speaking in tongues, and parishioners being “slain in the spirit.” Heywood was tormented as she grew older and realized her normal life wasn’t so normal and that there were a myriad of ways of to understand life. This wounded spirituality was her muse as she fronted bands around Birmingham.”

Can you elaborate on that a bit? It just sounds like such an unusual position to be in, and then to come out of.

Well, I think it is similar to what any teenager and young adult goes through as they are trying to separate themselves from their parents and figure out their own life path. My parents just happened to be missionaries to the projects of Birmingham.

9) What was the transition like, I mean the transition from being a part of a ministry that is very charismatic and full of things like ‘casting our spirits, speaking in tongues, etc.’ and then going out and being a person who is just ‘normal’ and in the ‘real’ world. I was curious how that transition was for you – I ask because my wife and I were both a part of a ministry here in Atlanta and they were very similar to what it sounds like you grew up in. When we left the ministry we had a very difficult time adjusting to the ‘real’ world on the outside, and we were definitely carrying a TON of baggage from a ministry like that.

The transition felt natural, I kind of “grew” out of it. By that I mean, I moved out on my own, got a job where I worked with all kinds of people, not just church folk, etc. etc. I was never sheltered from the real world, though, we were immersed right into ministry, it just wasn’t my everyday reality (I never lived in the projects).

As far as carrying the baggage, I think that happens to a lot of people that leave a church or ministry. Mainly because our expectations of the leaders are unrealistic, we have to remember that they are only human just like us and searching and messing up and discovering— just like us. My parents were really great examples to me as far as forgiving the “church” and the politics, etc. In my life, I just try to keep focused on the things that I think are important – people.

8) Who are your musical influences?

My personal influences (I cannot speak for all of the girls) are PJ Harvey, 60’s rock-n-roll, a ‘lil Heart, Bowie, Cyndi Lauper???? I don’t know, I am just naming what I like, I guess that doesn’t necessarily mean it is a direct influence – everybody loves Radiohead and The Beatles, but sadly only a select few peoples music reflects them.

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