Kisses Drop New Track "Air Conditioning"

Another new track from Kisses second album Kids in LA. You know what they say - if you hear three songs you like from a record - you'll probably buy the whole thing. Well - we're ready! Comes out May 14 (Cascine).

Kisses Announce Kids in LA

Long time Stark favorites Kisses just announced their anticipated follow-up to the self-titled record they released several years back. In a partnership with Cascine, Jesse Kivel and Zinzi Edmundson will release Kids in LA, May 14. New single "Hardest Part" is below. Enjoy! Kisses will be at SXSW this year. See you there. 

Kisses "Johnny & Mary" Video

Kisses: "Funny Heartbeat"

After recently offering an exclusive view of this video as an incentive to sign up for the Kisses mailing list (nice digital marketing idea guys), this excellent Robert Palmer cover is now viewable for all. You know we love this band - check out their new single "Funny Heartbeat" above.

Kisses Premiere "Funny Heartbeat"

The press release begins with "finally." Agreed. Not in a negative manner of course, as Kisses, (and Jesse Kivel's band Princeton) have been touring and writing for the past 2 years. But, in blog years, 24 months is nearly a lifetime. Nevertheless, today is a good day, as the new Kisses tune "Funny Heartbeat" is an infectious ear worm of a late-summer gem. Produced by Saint Etienne's pop wizards Pete Wiggs and Tim Larcombe, the new track is a positive sign of things to come on Kisses' new LP. Their excellent debut The Heart of The Nightlife is out now.

Kisses Remix Regina's "Haluan Sinut"

Last year, we loved Regina's fantastic record Soita Mulle which made it to the top 10 of my top 40 of 2011 list. Today, we caught wind that perennial Stark fave Kisses remixed one of their tracks "Haluan Sinut," giving it a languid gauzy feel, not unlike a Washed Out tune, but dialing way back on the pretentiousness. The otherworldly vocals make this an unexpected choice for late-afternoon beach cocktails, or late-night rendezvous.

Yours Truly Does Princeton: "To The Alps"

We had a great hang w/ the Princeton brothers in Austin after their last gig of what was a long and busy week for the LA group. With all of us having been perhaps "over served" the night before, we commiserated over an afternoon beer and discussed their great new album Remembrance of Things to Come, and how I couldn't figure out which brother (Jesse or Matt Kivel) was also in the band Kisses (it's Jesse). The conversation strayed to how great the Kisses Robert Palmer cover is, and how the duo are upping the production value on the new tunes, and making sure everything is really solid before hitting us with any music. Princeton work hard and feature one of the more distinctive male voices in "indie" rock right now. Pick up the new record, it's worth it. Via Yours Truly.

Princeton Releases LP 2

We were initially apprehensive when we heard Princeton were taking a minimalist orchestral approach to the songs for their new album Remembrance of Things to Come, released yesterday. It wasn't until we heard the album via a Paste full album stream that we realized their charming west coast pop sensibilities were still intact, and in fact - better than ever. This is a more mature band, and one that has honed their song-craft for the second LP. Indeed including flashes of orchestral minimalism, their new songs still feature the wistful vocals we've come to love from the previous Princeton record, and our longtime favorite side project Kisses. Check out the Camera Obsucra remix, buy the album, see them on tour, stream it at Paste - do whatever you want - just tell your friends.

Live Dates: Feb. 22 - San Francisco, CA - The Independent*
Feb. 27 - Portland, OR - Mississippi Studios
Feb. 28 - Seattle, WA - Tractor Tavern
Mar. 01 - Salt Lake City, UT - In the Venue
Mar. 02 - Avon, CO - Snowball Music Festival
Mar. 10 - Phoenix, AZ - Lo Fi Coffee House
Mar. 13-18 - Austin, TX - SXSW
*Noise Pop Festival

Kisses Cover Palmer's "Johnny and Mary"

 [mp3] Kisses: "Johnny and Mary (Robert Palmer)"

Our longtime Stark faves Kisses returned yesterday with a cover of the Robert Palmer gem "Johnny and Mary." While we were hoping for a new (original) tune from this LA duo - this cover fits them perfectly, and it's good to know they still have their creative juices flowing leading up to a new album coming in 2012.

New Princeton: "To The Alps"

[mp3] Princeton: "To The Alps"

It's no secret we're huge fans of Jesse Kivel's "side project" Kisses, but we're also pretty sold on Kivel's main creative outlet Princeton - the LA collective that also features his brother Matt. Princeton's debut record made a solid impression on critics and fans alike, even if it didn't fully break through to the indie "overground." Either way, we're psyched to hear some new music from these folks. They have an LP coming later this year a limited edition 7″ featuring “To The Alps.” Let's hope a little blast of LA sun can brighten up this dreary February Monday in New York.

Band To Watch: The Knocks

[mp3] The Knocks: "Dancing with The DJ"

Sometimes things don't work out. Set times, train schedules, work, commitments, general life stuff. For the most part, we don't regret missing many bands last week. As we wrote to Some Velvet Blog, our socks remained on almost the entire week, except for our (hopefully) new friends Kisses from LA, who were excellent, and well deserving of our band to watch status months and months ago. Then we encountered this track from The Knocks, of whom, we were already fans. This burning, disco-infused, dance gem just sent us into another world, and made us truly regret missing the Neon Gold/Chess Club/Plugged In party. As Neon wrote "it's your go-to party jam for the next six months, you can thank The Knocks later." For that reason, we're happy to name The Knocks our next band to watch. Thanks CMJ, you treated us well this year, now back to detox.

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Kisses: "Bermuda" (Active Child Remix)

[mp3] Kisses: "Bermuda" (Active Child Remix)

[mp3] Kisses: "Bermuda"

We're a little behind in getting this one up for you, but we would be remiss to not mention a track from our previous band to watch, Kisses, that was remixed by another fantastic rising artist Active Child. Kisses seem to be taking a second to make their impact felt out here on the East Coast, but after their current trip to Europe and subsequent LA date, we expect they will head out this way and begin to generate the attention they deserve. The Bermuda 7" is out now, with their amazing full length The Heart of The Nightlife coming soon, all via the LA-based Surrounded by Sound label.

Artist to Watch: Kisses

[mp3] Kisses: "Bermuda"

With the release of their debut album The Heart of Nightlife still TBD, we are intrigued and totally addicted to the new duo from LA named simply Kisses. They deftly toe the line between the Euro-pop of JJ and Jens Lekman and the sugar-sweet-sunshine melodies of fellow LA duo the bird and the bee. What results is an amazingly enjoyable blend of electronic drum machines and Morissey-esque vocals, highlighted by tasteful synths and perfect melodies. Their album cover perfectly reflects the mood of the record: cocktails on soft West Coast afternoon; it could be 1978, or 2010 but no one really cares that much; your guests walk barefoot on the shag carpets, wear fun clothes and generally have a fantastic time. Kisses seem to still be assembling their team in LA, but it's no doubt that they will catch on, and catch on quick. You can grab the two mp3s above and check them out at this year's SXSW. Hey A&R people - here's a lay up for you. Check out Kisses now. Cover art after the jump.
Photo: Jessica Koslow