Girl Next-Door: Kisses' Songwriter Zinzi Edmundson
Lately, we're way more interested in all the cool and interesting bands emerging from Los Angeles than any new Kardashian Krap you can throw at us. One such band Kisses has not only charmed us with their sunny disco-esque sounds but also with their quirky So-Cal style. Zinzi Edmundson, one half of this musical duo (alongside boyfriend Jesse Kivel), never disappoints when it comes to playing a mean keyboard or turning up in a comfortably cool outfit that recalls a '70s Jane Birkin with some spunk thrown in for good measure. We checked in with this blossoming songwriter and style star in her Silverlake home to chat about music, the meanest Thai food in town, and her favorite high-waisted Acne jeans.
Name: Zinzi Edmundson
Occupation: Writer, musician in the Los Angeles-based band Kisses
I live in: Silverlake in L.A.
Tell us about how you got into it music?
"My boyfriend (and band-mate) Jesse and I have been together for nearly five years, so the Kisses project grew out of that—it's a series of shared experiences, aesthetic inclinations, and, ultimately, just being around each other a lot. I had been freelance writing for fun, but when touring opportunities came knocking, I couldn't resist and traded my editorial job for writing and music. It's sort of reckless, I guess, but I wouldn't trade our trips to Japan, Sweden, and Australia for my old cubicle! Writing was always the more gratifying aspect of my job, so I'm really psyched to be able to focus on it now, although meeting deadlines on the road are sort of a drag."
What are your favorite parts of your work?
"In terms of music, I love when a gig goes to another level. We almost always have a really fun time playing shows, but there are a couple that come to mind where they're really off the charts. Sometimes it's just between the three of us (we play with a drummer), but sometimes the crowd is just really psyched, and you can't help it—it's contagious! In my writing, I love talking to new people and learning about them through the interview process. Recently, I've been finding a lot of cool upstart companies and talking to their founders is really inspiring. They're creative, passionate, driven and usually really, really busy."
Name: Zinzi Edmundson
Occupation: Writer, musician in the Los Angeles-based band Kisses
I live in: Silverlake in L.A.
Tell us about how you got into it music?
"My boyfriend (and band-mate) Jesse and I have been together for nearly five years, so the Kisses project grew out of that—it's a series of shared experiences, aesthetic inclinations, and, ultimately, just being around each other a lot. I had been freelance writing for fun, but when touring opportunities came knocking, I couldn't resist and traded my editorial job for writing and music. It's sort of reckless, I guess, but I wouldn't trade our trips to Japan, Sweden, and Australia for my old cubicle! Writing was always the more gratifying aspect of my job, so I'm really psyched to be able to focus on it now, although meeting deadlines on the road are sort of a drag."
What are your favorite parts of your work?
"In terms of music, I love when a gig goes to another level. We almost always have a really fun time playing shows, but there are a couple that come to mind where they're really off the charts. Sometimes it's just between the three of us (we play with a drummer), but sometimes the crowd is just really psyched, and you can't help it—it's contagious! In my writing, I love talking to new people and learning about them through the interview process. Recently, I've been finding a lot of cool upstart companies and talking to their founders is really inspiring. They're creative, passionate, driven and usually really, really busy."
