Double Duchess, a Bay Area duo, are known for their explosive and mesmerizing live performances. Their music is parts high-energy hip hop, club/house bangers sprinkled with vogue. In 2015 their debut album “All Eyes on Me” will display the full range of the project’s influences of sounds and emotions, further showcasing the balance of being extraordinarily fierce and vigorously innovative.
Vocalist Krylon Superstar’s days as an underground diva began in the early 90’s in NYC. While also performing and dancing in the vogue scene, he later developed a reputation for his captivating performance art numbers and expanded internationally to a second home of Berlin. Vocalist/Producer davO grew up performing & rapping in the live music scene, however found more traction in the club/party music scene after relocating to San Francisco in 2007.
How did your interest in music begin? Krylon: I have been singing since I was a little boy. My cousin, younger brother, and I had a band back when we were little kids called “The Silver Plantters”. I wrote the lyrics and sang. We used to pretend like we were on tour and go to abandoned houses (in San Diego) and do shows! I’ve been in and out of bands every since. davO: I was banging on things ever since I was able to crawl, so my Mom says… But I have always been involved in music and bands/projects, mostly rhythm related stuff, so drums, percussion, rapping, etc..
What are some recent, upcoming or current projects you are working on? D: Well, Double Duchess is releasing our first album called “All Eyes on Me” this summer, so that has taken up a big chunk of my creative time. But I have been working on a track with one of our dancers, Saturn Rising, and another with Oakland female rapper Aima the Dreamer. I’m looking to work with other musicians at the moment to become inspired to bang out some new ideas for the next batch of Double Duchess material.
What are you currently watching? K: I am watching a couple of things at the moment, “Bloodline”, “Game of Thrones”, “The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmitt” and “Brain Games.” D: I’m a sucker for cheap dramas, so I’m all about “Scandal” and “Nashville,” plus “Parks and Rec” reruns.
Has has living in San Francisco affected your music? K: San Francisco is the reason why I have connected with the queer hip hop/house thing. It’s such an open city and I feel like we can freely express ourselves and get real creative direction. D: Expensive city living has gotten me away from sitting down and playing drums. I miss being able to be super loud and make noise when I’m in the creative process. It’s too expensive to have a studio space AND an apartment, and affordable rooms in SF these days aren’t big enough to call your own.
What kinds of music/what musicians are influencing your work right now? D: For me its all about following a lot of producers these days. I’m really into DJ Sliink, Saint, Ta-Ku, Mike Q, Uniquii3, Kaytranada, NAAFI collective, Thunderbird Juicebox… I could go on and on…
What is your snack/beverage choice when recording? K: I LIVE for this German mineral water called Gerolsteiner, so I usually have a bottle with me. I am vegan so I usually eat vegan sweets and stuff like that… D: I’m not a huge snacker when I’m recording, however I’ll drink ALL the coffee.
What do you do when your not working on music? K: I work as a Floral buyer/specialist for Whole Foods Market (in the Castro), I also rock climb a lot, and thrift store shop. D: I produce parties called Swagger Like Us here in the bay and other cities, and also DJ other parties/events. Otherwise I love a good spa soaking moment, brunch, and snuggling up with a cutie.
What are you really excited about right now? D: Honestly, I’ve been seeing this amazing new person for the past three months —and the sex has been out of this world good!
If you hadn’t become a musician, what do you think you would be doing? D: I was really interested in becoming a therapist, particularly in working with queer youth. However, shortly after I finished my undergrad, I realized that doing both would be impossible, so I followed the dream instead.
What are you listening to right now? K: Cocteau Twins, FKA Twiggs, DD Dumbo, Future Islands, Gary Numan, The Isley Brothers, Stereo Lab… Just to name a few.
