Kissing Cousins is fronted by Heather B. Heywood who formed the band in 2005 after moving to LA, and she found the name Kissing Cousins sarcastic enough to characterize the prejudices everyone has about the deep south were she grew up.
The lineup of the band has changed a lot since its beginning, forcing the band to take new directions each time, with Heather on guitar and vocals, Amanda Paganini on guitar and vocals, Kim Hellweg having replaced Melissa Pleckham on bass, and Beth Zeigler on drums,… at least this is what I understood but many other names are part of the relatively short history of the band.
The vibe they project is complex, a little like a torturous road, with unexpected turns and some ancient signs that can make you think and wonder what it is exactly… yes Heather, who grew up in Alabama is certainly carrying some of its musical history, but it’s quite hard to describe what exactly, since I am not talking about gospel or spirituals here. It’s a little shoegazing but always intense.
Far less sweet, far less happy or sunny, and much murkier, darker, more aggressive and distorted than I would have thought; yeah, I am guilty, when I saw all them coming on stage, it is not exactly what I was expecting from an all girl band,… again prejudices!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPxwsTXgn-I