Kissing Cousins

Interview with Heather B. Heywood of Kissing Cousins

1. You have finished your first full length, how do you feel about it ?

I feel really excited and relieved!  the songs sound better than ever and we put a lot of hard work in.

2. Did you intentionally do a bunch of EP's first, or did it just work out that way ?

I think it intentionally worked out that way.  We were a growing band figuring out our sound and style and putting out little excerpts of our journey seemed like the best and most interesting way to do it.  I am very proud of where we have come and the new album definitely represents us well.

3. How was it recording the songs with Richard Swift ?

It was challenging preparing to record, basically having to know and play the songs well enough to record live. Swift wanted to record us live to tape (it just so happened to be Wilco's old 8-track TASCAM, some of those great Wilco songs were recorded on it ! ) but, once we got to Cottage Grove and into the studio--it was amazing!  Swift is very creative and easy to be around! His space is filled with so many cool instruments and toys!  We had a great time and finished the record pretty quickly.  Swift was able to accentuate our style and give the record charm. Plus the late night dance parties and strolls around the town were icing on the cake.

4. At the risk of being too techie, what was the primary guitar and amp you played on the record ?

I played my guitar mainly (fender mustang)  and borrowed Swift's tele for a couple of jams.  My amp was so graciously driven up by my friend, my 1963 Fender bandmaster!!  I wouldn't record without it.  I played through a Wren and Cuff fuzz pedal that was made specifially for me, he also made a bass distortion pedal!  We used an old moog synth bass pedal on "Diminishing Returns" and  Kara got to use Swift's 30" marching bass drum on the first track, it was awesome.


5. Right now after a few listens my favorite track is 'Come Back to Me', yours is ?

That is a good one!!!  My favorite before we recorded was always "First in the Fire" it was nick-named "Hell-mouth", but after the recording I would have to say "Diminishing Returns", which we call "Deathhouse" --I can't get enough of the flute solo!


6. Will you be touring in support of the record ?

YES!


7. Any other Kissing Cousins gossip you'd like to share ?

We are finishing up a music video produced and directed by Alexis M. Woodall. Watch for the celebrity cameo!  We are also planning to release vinyl in July and host an art/vinyl show with Hannah Stouffer at Origami Vinyl in Echo Park.