Kingdom of Suicide Lovers (Austin, TX)

Genre:Rock

KOSL began as a duo between now married couple, Paul Streckfus (formerly of Glorium) and Kelsey Wickliffe (formerly of Faceless Werewolves). The duo began with bedroom recordings and soon added drummer Keith Rodriguez and recorded their first single "Hoboken Snow", which appeared on Matador's Casual Victim Pile in 2010. Baldomero Valdez joined the band as their drummer soon after and they recorded and released their first 7" single "System Factory" B-side "Capsules" in 2011, followed by their full length "Distant Waves" which came out on Super Secret Records 2013. Albert Cunningham joined on guitar and the band has recorded a second full-length "Kosmos" at The Bubble Studio in Austin w/ Chris "Frenchie" Smith. They are looking to release the album in 2016. Currently playing with new drummer Brandon Crowe (Gospel Truth) the band looks forward to promoting the new album and touring this summer.Portion of Austin Chronicle's "Distant Waves" Review by Kevin Curtain:"Their wiper-blade vocal interplay recalls Exene Cervenka and John Doe of L.A. punks X, as well as – in style more than sound – Fugazi's Ian MacKaye and Guy Picciotto. Streckfus' grayscale guitar administers thick riffs and ominous voicings that strike, then draw back, making room for Wickliffe's agile bass lines that coalesce with her onetime Faceless Werewolves bandmate Baldomero Valdez's precision pounding. Fear stricken from the start, "Red Tent" portrays an unknown force stalking the confused, marooned protagonist. Soon, in "Capsules," he must flee the planet for the safety of idling in orbit. A relative moment of peace comes with the organ-driven, damaged love song "This Isn't Easy to Say" that hints at the band's name. Additionally, both the title track and "System vs. Factory" pay homage to the bizarre, futuristic works of author Haruki Murakami. For lyrically focused listeners, Distant Waves never lets up, offering subject matter that demands your attention start to finish. For the rare fan of both post-punk and postmodern sci-fi, this album was made for you."