Jesse Kivel's (of Kisses) main project Princeton has released a new single titled "To The Alps." If you're a fan of Kisses, you'll love this brand new track. A little bit more lush and full of layers filled by keys compared to their previous brand of chamber pop; this track is refreshing. If this is [...]
And now I’m sad. Checking my phone every five minutes, waitin’ for a change of heart. I need some nighttime-gaze-out-the-window music. Luckily our old pals Kisses (Princeton’s Jesse Kivel and Zinzi Edmundson) are ready to oblige with their new single ... Continue reading

You know how you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover? It's bad form. But... I totally judge books by their covers. And I judge bands by their band names. I'm sorry, but it's a first impression kind of response. If a band has a silly name, I'll be less likely click on a link that leads to their myspace page. I think that a band should have a name that somehow conveys what they are trying to achieve with the sound. The name Kisses just sounds like it's going to be a a girl group [...]

Jesse Kivel pinta para ser uno de los personajes del año, y eso que mantiene un perfil relativamente bajo. La media naranja de Kisses es también el vocalista de Princeton (una banda encantadora que ya abordaremos) y por si fuera poco, toca la batería con los Sleeping Bags . De éstos últimos presentamos "Cantaloupe", canción que Jodie & Victor editó en rigurosa -pero feliz- mancomunidad con los Mystery Claws (otra banda a observar, y en la que por cierto toca el hermano de Jesse). La pieza es un bonito ejemplo de shoegaze y [...]

The new single from Kisses — the collaboration between Princeton's Jess Kivel and his girlfriend Zinzi Edmundson — is even better than the first (which we took a shine to back in March ). "People Can Do the Most Amazing Things" (out next week digitally and on 7-inch vinyl on IAMSOUND Records) is a sleek, simmering Euro-pop number that reminds me a bit of Stephin Merritt's work as Future Bible Heroes , or of a lesser-known duo from my dusty archives, Vitesse (recommended: "Chelsea 270993). Kivel's world-weary deadpan seems buoyed by twinkling [...]

It’s been too long. After weeks of ruthless gallivanting, here’s ten fresh tracks to start off the week. First some Daytrotter Sessions from the Brazilian Curumin and LA’s Princeton. I’ve tossed in one of the many remixes of Miike Snow’s ‘Animal’ that are circling the interwebs these days and a track by Malians Amadou and Mariam from a few years back. Also, here’s my favourite tune off The Black Key’s latest album Brothers, the hazy combination of Basque band Delorean and The XX. Add in some remixed Chiddy Bang, Crystal Castles, some Belgian electronic hip-hop courtesy of [...]

Hailing from L.A couple Jesse Kivel & Zinzi Edmundson first arrived on the scene early in 2010 with the summer anthem that is ''Bermuda'' . A deligthful mix of melodic-synth-pop that got us wanting to hear more. Bermuda by Kisses Currently recording and working on other projects such as Jesse's band Princeton , we asked Zinzi a few questions to help us get to know Kisses a little better. Have a read.... (One For The People) First off, hows [...]
Los Angeles pop duo Kisses have announced another single from their anticipated album The Heart of The Nightlife. The track "People Can Do The Most Amazing Things" will be released August 3rd, 2010 on IAMSOUND. On the b-side is a remix by Pete Griggs / Saint Etienne. The song itself starts of almost Caribbean-like only [...]

Kisses, the LA duo that released the overwhelmingly excellent "Bermuda" earlier this year, have made a second single available from their forthcoming The Heart of The Nightlife. Like "Bermuda," "People Can Do The Most Amazing Things" revels in a thick pop atmosphere of wavy synths and pristine vocal arrangements, simultaneously recalling and modernizing that sleek 1980s pop sound. If the release of this single is designed to increase the hype and anticipation for Jesse Kivel and Zinzi Edmundson's debut, then they've succeeded. Kisses - [...]

Simple, airy and joyous sounds are beginning to float in the skies above Los Angeles. Princeton’s vocalist Jesse Kivel and girlfriend Zinzi Edmundson are the unsigned duo Kisses. Inspired travel writing and exotic hotel/resort reviewing passion buoys this music up to the non-thought part of your brain where you’ll just love, and chill. Think of a more palatable Air France or jj and you’ve got a handle on things. “Bermuda” is perfect for a morning wake up, or a cool Summer Sunday drive. Here’s to hoping their relationship is long [...]

We first mentioned Princeton a few months back when they featured in our sporadic "On Song" feature... Well, they're back on May 10 with "Shout It Out", yet another stunning slice of chamber pop and the follow up to their a-m-a-z-i-n-g single "Calypso Gold". In support of the single, the band have announced a few UK shows... April 30th - Barfly, London May 1st - Live @ Leeds 10th - Old Blue Last, London 11th - White Heat, London 14th [...]
The swoon driven single "Bermuda" (by one of my new favorite pop acts Kisses) gets turned into a chopped up dreamy synth song by Active Child. The remix will be featured on their 73 single for "Bermuda." MP3: "Bermuda (Active Child Remix)" Website: http://www.blowkisses.info MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/blowkis sess

Active Child = Wilderness Tonight @ The Troubadour w/ headliners Princeton aka half of KISSES (Jesse) Anyone else going?

Jesse Kivel is the latest local indie-rocker to set off on a Disco Detour, with surprising results. The Santa Monica native, who with his twin Matt form the creative core of the pop quartet Princeton , has collaborated with Zinzi Edmundson on the new project Kisses . In style and in name, the band is inspired by Kivel's friendship with French disco forerunner Alec Costandinos, whose work in the 1970s produced, among other things, the dance single "Romeo and Juliet," which was No. 1 in the U.S. for a heartbeat. Costandinos also made three albums under the name [...]
Yes, yes, we know that Chinese New Year was yesterday but Sunday was already being spent doing Valentine's Day stuff like creating a great V-Day Spotify Slaylist and going to see The Ghost Of A Thousand in a Camden grothole. Ultimately, this Chinese year is the year of the Yang Metal Tiger. Is this the opposite [...]