Kisses is a new wave pop rock duo from

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...

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, formed in 2010. The band consists of Jesse Kivel (vocals/lead guitarist) and Zinzi Edmundson (instrumentals/keyboardist). The duo released their debut album ''The Heart of the Nightlife'' on November 8, 2010. The duo's second album, ''Kids in L.A.'', was released on May 14, 2013. In addition to Kisses, Kivel is currently a member of the indie pop band

Princeton Princeton University is a private research university in Princeton, New Jersey. Founded in 1746 in Elizabeth as the College of New Jersey, Princeton is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and one of the ni ...

Background and History

Jesse Kivel grew up on Princeton Street in

Santa Monica Santa Monica (; Spanish: ''Santa Mónica'') is a city in Los Angeles County, situated along Santa Monica Bay on California's South Coast. Santa Monica's 2020 U.S. Census population was 93,076. Santa Monica is a popular resort town, owing to ...

while Zinzi Edmundson's hometown was

Providence, Rhode Island Providence is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Rhode Island. One of the oldest cities in New England, it was founded in 1636 by Roger Williams, a Reformed Baptist theologian and religious exile from the Massachusetts Bay ...

. During Kivel's elementary years, he, along with his twin brother Matt and a close friend, began creating music ultimately forming the band Princeton in 2005. The following year, Kivel began dating Edmundson who is currently known for her contributions to Foam Magazine along with Bon Appétit, C magazine, EvilMonito.com and Variety.com. Eventually, although not specified, Kivel and Edmundson began composing music together and, as a result, formed the band Kisses in 2010. Kivel's friendship with producer Alec R. Costandinos allowed for the production and release of Kisses's debut single “Bermuda” via Transparent Records in April 2010, and People Can Do the Most Amazing Things that August on IAMSOUND.” Additionally, Kisses had released other EPs including ''Other Planets'' as a download and ''Midnight Lover'' as a promo single on the label This is Music. ''Other Planets'' was later released as a limited edition cassette by Hornbuckle Records in 2013. On November 8, 2010, Kisses released their first full-length album ''The Heart of the Nightlife'' in the United States under the music label This is Music. Kisses had previously released ''The Heart of the Nightlife'' in the United Kingdom almost a month earlier, on October 11, 2010. On May 14, 2013, Kisses released their second full-length album ''Kids in L.A.'' via the

Cascine Cascine is an independent record label based in New York City. Its focus is alternative pop and electronic music. Cascine was formed in September 2010 and is owned by Jeff Bratton. Key artists include Yumi Zouma, Half Waif, Chad Valley, Mari ...

label in the U.S. Both full-length albums were also released in Japan on the label Rallye Records. ''The Heart of the Nightlife'' was released in Japan in 2010 and ''Kids in L.A.'' was released on April 17, 2013. Kisses was ranked #40 in NME's 50 Best Bands of 2010. Since the release of their debut album, Kisses have become recognized by several professional publications including

Pitchfork A pitchfork (also a hay fork) is an agricultural tool with a long handle and two to five tines used to lift and pitch or throw loose material, such as hay, straw, manure, or leaves. The term is also applied colloquially, but inaccurately, to th ...

Allmusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...

and

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with generally positive reviews.

Discography

* ''The Heart of the Nightlife'' (2010) * ''Kids in L.A.'' (2013) * ''Other Planets'' (2013) * ''Rest In Paradise'' (2015)

References

{{Authority control American pop rock music groups Musical groups established in 2010 Musical groups from Los Angeles Cascine artists 2010 establishments in California