Double Duchess

Since 2010, the DIY duo of Double Duchess have hopped, skipped, and jumped their way from San Francisco into the limelight and our hearts with quirk, a jerk, and a twerk. The in-demand duo of Krylon Superstar and David "DavO" Richardson are one of the hottest acts on the queer circuit. Their raw, bold beats and brazenly queer, sex-positive messages on their debut EP Hey Girl! and their current booty bangers "Bucket Betch" and "Deviant" have taken them from the bedroom, where they created their first song on a whim, to stages across the country. After taking their fierce, fashionable live show all over gay America and impressing queer Austin during South by Southwest, they bring their energetic act back to preform at Austin Pride.
Austin Chronicle: You two sort of met by accident, right?
Krylon Superstar: We found we have a lot in common as far as musical influences, boys, and our attitudes towards life, so one day we got together to mess around with some beats and something just clicked. David "DavO" Richardson: We were both fairly new to San Francisco. We met through a mutual friend. He was trying to start a band and he reached out to both of us. The music was okay, but I think because we were both the gays in the band – not that that matters – we started to be homies. I've always done production, and Krylon's always done vocals, so we just collaborated on a track one day which turned out to be "What's That All That," the first video we made. It just kind of happened.
AC: How long did recording that first track take? And how did it turn into Double Duchess?
DR: We recorded it in one day. It was fast. We just hung out with it and showed it to some friends. The reception was great, and we were having a lot of fun with it, so we came up with Double Duchess soon after.
AC: Before meeting, how did each of you get started in music and preforming?
KS: I started off in San Diego pretty young. I was going to a bunch of raves. A friend gave me an issue of a 'zine called My Comrade which described all the club kids in New York, and I just fell in love. I started seeing them on talk shows and everything. I went from goth kid to colorful disco queen. A friend of mine, Mylar from San Fran, moved down to San Diego, and we started a rap duo caller Mylar & Krylon. Mylar moved to New York and pushed me to move, too. Eventually I drove cross-country and made my way into their world. My first night out I went out to the Limelight. I immediately got rushed through the door by the bitchiest door guy ever. I got rushed into the VIP room, and apparently somebody roofied me. I wound up puking everywhere. Michael Alig saw me and offered me a job dancing because he thought it was a great performance art piece. So I was a dancing and performance artist in that world during the club kid heyday. I was doing a lot of runway and learned to vogue just by mimicking what I saw. I got so good at it that Willi Ninja offered me to join his house. I said no, if you can believe that. That was the biggest mistake of my life because the House of Ninja is legendary. I was experimenting all over New York. I took opera lessons and found that I loved singing as well. That took me to Berlin where I was in a band. We were more of a fashion band, performance art based.
DR: I started playing drums in my early teens after bothering my folks to get me some drums. I wound up being a percussionist, songwriter, and vocalist in a band called Jepetto back in my hometown of Annapolis. We got fairly big. We went on to play the Warped Tour and open for bands like Cypress Hill. That gave me a lot of experience in producing and DJing – a lot of the stuff that informs Double Duchess.
AC: You guys are really proud queers but was it always that way?
KS: My story is amazing, and I'm grateful. And I know it's not every queer boy's story. My aunt and uncle were really supportive. My aunt was a major force on me coming out to my family. When I was young, she and my uncle would do stuff like take kids to STD prevention classes. She sort of knew I was going to be gay and wanted me to be prepared. She kind of came out for me [laughs]. It turns out my whole family knew. My mom is very supportive. It was really easy coming out. Having my family accepting me like they did is really amazing and rare, unfortunately.
DR: I'm kind of a late bloomer. I didn't come out until I was out of high school. I was 19 or 20, and I was in a band that was doing well and touring. I was a little afraid to come out, because I felt there was a sort of spotlight on me. I came out to my close band mates and no one really cared, but it took me a while to really act on it and be open about it. It took a couple years. I was out, but I wasn't really going to gay bars or anything. My parents are okay with it. They saw that I was a lot happier and it's now basically a non-issue.
AC: What's Double - Austin Chronicle

Since 2010, the DIY duo of Double Duchess have hopped, skipped, and jumped their way from San Francisco into the limelight and our hearts with quirk, a jerk, and a twerk. The in-demand duo of Krylon Superstar and David "DavO" Richardson are one of the hottest acts on the queer circuit. Their raw, bold beats and brazenly queer, sex-positive messages on their debut EP Hey Girl! and their current booty bangers "Bucket Betch" and "Deviant" have taken them from the bedroom, where they created their first song on a whim, to stages across the country. After taking their fierce, fashionable live show all over gay America and impressing queer Austin during South by Southwest, they bring their energetic act back to preform at Austin Pride.
Austin Chronicle: You two sort of met by accident, right?
Krylon Superstar: We found we have a lot in common as far as musical influences, boys, and our attitudes towards life, so one day we got together to mess around with some beats and something just clicked. David "DavO" Richardson: We were both fairly new to San Francisco. We met through a mutual friend. He was trying to start a band and he reached out to both of us. The music was okay, but I think because we were both the gays in the band – not that that matters – we started to be homies. I've always done production, and Krylon's always done vocals, so we just collaborated on a track one day which turned out to be "What's That All That," the first video we made. It just kind of happened.
AC: How long did recording that first track take? And how did it turn into Double Duchess?
DR: We recorded it in one day. It was fast. We just hung out with it and showed it to some friends. The reception was great, and we were having a lot of fun with it, so we came up with Double Duchess soon after.
AC: Before meeting, how did each of you get started in music and preforming?
KS: I started off in San Diego pretty young. I was going to a bunch of raves. A friend gave me an issue of a 'zine called My Comrade which described all the club kids in New York, and I just fell in love. I started seeing them on talk shows and everything. I went from goth kid to colorful disco queen. A friend of mine, Mylar from San Fran, moved down to San Diego, and we started a rap duo caller Mylar & Krylon. Mylar moved to New York and pushed me to move, too. Eventually I drove cross-country and made my way into their world. My first night out I went out to the Limelight. I immediately got rushed through the door by the bitchiest door guy ever. I got rushed into the VIP room, and apparently somebody roofied me. I wound up puking everywhere. Michael Alig saw me and offered me a job dancing because he thought it was a great performance art piece. So I was a dancing and performance artist in that world during the club kid heyday. I was doing a lot of runway and learned to vogue just by mimicking what I saw. I got so good at it that Willi Ninja offered me to join his house. I said no, if you can believe that. That was the biggest mistake of my life because the House of Ninja is legendary. I was experimenting all over New York. I took opera lessons and found that I loved singing as well. That took me to Berlin where I was in a band. We were more of a fashion band, performance art based.
DR: I started playing drums in my early teens after bothering my folks to get me some drums. I wound up being a percussionist, songwriter, and vocalist in a band called Jepetto back in my hometown of Annapolis. We got fairly big. We went on to play the Warped Tour and open for bands like Cypress Hill. That gave me a lot of experience in producing and DJing – a lot of the stuff that informs Double Duchess.
AC: You guys are really proud queers but was it always that way?
KS: My story is amazing, and I'm grateful. And I know it's not every queer boy's story. My aunt and uncle were really supportive. My aunt was a major force on me coming out to my family. When I was young, she and my uncle would do stuff like take kids to STD prevention classes. She sort of knew I was going to be gay and wanted me to be prepared. She kind of came out for me [laughs]. It turns out my whole family knew. My mom is very supportive. It was really easy coming out. Having my family accepting me like they did is really amazing and rare, unfortunately.
DR: I'm kind of a late bloomer. I didn't come out until I was out of high school. I was 19 or 20, and I was in a band that was doing well and touring. I was a little afraid to come out, because I felt there was a sort of spotlight on me. I came out to my close band mates and no one really cared, but it took me a while to really act on it and be open about it. It took a couple years. I was out, but I wasn't really going to gay bars or anything. My parents are okay with it. They saw that I was a lot happier and it's now basically a non-issue.
AC: What's Double - Austin Chronicle

There’s a new Bay Area queer electro-hop duo named Double Duchess and they are the hottest. The vivid of twosome Krylon Superstar and davO have been creating music together since they first met approximately three years ago, bonding instantly over a shared love of boys, dancing and dressing up and having fun. They’ve successfully showcased this love on their debut EP Hey Girl!, released in March 2012 on Le Heat Records, an Oakland-based label.

When listening to the upbeat rhythms of Hey Girl!, you can hear the Baltimore club music influence on DJ Lemz’s remix of “Bucket Betch,” ballroom house influence on “Drop Click Pow,” and the booty breaks influences on “Bang My Coochie.” So, you know they’re hardcore underground dance music scholars.

Prior to their meeting, Krylon Superstar danced as a club kid in New York City. davO, on the other hand, fronted a multi-genre band (Hip-Hop, funk and punk). Today, he produces, writes songs, and DJs for Double Duchess whilst Krylon’s performance background helps give their live performances and visual presence that certain oomph.

According to SFist, they “deserve the key to the city after creating [hit dance track] “Bucket Betch.” Its music video received lots of media attention from major publications like Huffington Post. They’ve toured with all over the East and West coasts. They’ve also shared bills with acts such as Big Freedia, LE1F, Bonde do Role and Christeene. After touring, in October 2012, they released an EP of remixes and returned to the studio to create a more refined sound. Last month, they played at SXSW.

This Summer, Krylon Superstar and davO plan to release new music. Until then, playing “Deviant” and all of its versions over and over will hold you over.

Words by Richardine Bartee - MTV IGGY

A slinky, sexy, tautly muscled man named Krylon piles bound, braided hair atop his head. Wearing silver Spandex with stiletto heels and standing in the middle of a busy downtown San Francisco crosswalk while high-kicking, head cocked to one side, he’s queen-screaming into a bullhorn, “SAN FRANCISCO, OOHH, WHAT’S UP HEE- EEEYY??!!”
Streaming passersby do not bat an eye. This scene from SF’s queer hip hop duo Double Duchess’ latest music video, “Bucket Betch” defines not only San Francisco in 2012, but the next generation of Bay Area queer hip hop.

Double Duchess
One half d.a.v.O., one half Krylon, and one hundred percent infective campy electro hop, Double Duchess’ new club-ringing anthem “Bucket Betch” repeatedly and correctly asserts that they are “popping up and taking over the place.”
DD’s first EP, “Hey Girl,” released last March to a packed Rickshaw Stop, and is available on iTunes. It’s the production brainchild of d.a.v.O., a Baltimore native who grew up on go-go music, the Beastie Boys, and a score of punk DJs. A percussionist by training, d.a.v.O. broke into the business as a member of Jepetto, a late ’90s early 2k alternative rock/funk/hip hop and punk band that featured on the Warped Tour.
After moving to San Francisco, d.a.v.O. met the inimitable Krylon and, when Krylon showed up to jam sessions and started “lacing tracks, talking shit and getting sassy about something”, Double Duchess was born.

Their “Bucket Betch” music video, made by volunteer friends, performers and filmmakers, caught attention as far as The Huffington Post, which declared it “San Francisco’s newest queer hip-hop anthem.” In the video, Krylon, who names Peaches, Chaka Khan, and De La Soul as influences, testifies to his declaration that, “You can’t perform our stuff half-ass!” and brings half of San Francisco’s most beautiful queers along with him on teetering high-heeled walks through the Mission, sparkler-waving bicycle rides through the Castro, fierce vogueing on BART platforms, and back alley dance parties choreographed by d.a.v.O.’s partner, Antone Martinez.
DD recently blew audience brain matter on the SF MOMA’s Catwalk at an event for the Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit, and the resulting swarm of photo and autograph-seekers took 20 minutes to unravel. This fall they’ll release an album of remixes. In the meanwhile, they will light up venues around the Bay Area not only with their kaleidoscopically high energy live performances, but also their line-out-the-door popular new clubs “Swagger Like Us” (El Rio) and “Church” (Public Works, produced with Peaches Christ). For more info and upcoming dates, check out Double Duchess’ website at www.doubleduchess.com. - Bay Area Reporter

A slinky, sexy, tautly muscled man named Krylon piles bound, braided hair atop his head. Wearing silver Spandex with stiletto heels and standing in the middle of a busy downtown San Francisco crosswalk while high-kicking, head cocked to one side, he’s queen-screaming into a bullhorn, “SAN FRANCISCO, OOHH, WHAT’S UP HEE- EEEYY??!!”
Streaming passersby do not bat an eye. This scene from SF’s queer hip hop duo Double Duchess’ latest music video, “Bucket Betch” defines not only San Francisco in 2012, but the next generation of Bay Area queer hip hop.

Double Duchess
One half d.a.v.O., one half Krylon, and one hundred percent infective campy electro hop, Double Duchess’ new club-ringing anthem “Bucket Betch” repeatedly and correctly asserts that they are “popping up and taking over the place.”
DD’s first EP, “Hey Girl,” released last March to a packed Rickshaw Stop, and is available on iTunes. It’s the production brainchild of d.a.v.O., a Baltimore native who grew up on go-go music, the Beastie Boys, and a score of punk DJs. A percussionist by training, d.a.v.O. broke into the business as a member of Jepetto, a late ’90s early 2k alternative rock/funk/hip hop and punk band that featured on the Warped Tour.
After moving to San Francisco, d.a.v.O. met the inimitable Krylon and, when Krylon showed up to jam sessions and started “lacing tracks, talking shit and getting sassy about something”, Double Duchess was born.

Their “Bucket Betch” music video, made by volunteer friends, performers and filmmakers, caught attention as far as The Huffington Post, which declared it “San Francisco’s newest queer hip-hop anthem.” In the video, Krylon, who names Peaches, Chaka Khan, and De La Soul as influences, testifies to his declaration that, “You can’t perform our stuff half-ass!” and brings half of San Francisco’s most beautiful queers along with him on teetering high-heeled walks through the Mission, sparkler-waving bicycle rides through the Castro, fierce vogueing on BART platforms, and back alley dance parties choreographed by d.a.v.O.’s partner, Antone Martinez.
DD recently blew audience brain matter on the SF MOMA’s Catwalk at an event for the Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit, and the resulting swarm of photo and autograph-seekers took 20 minutes to unravel. This fall they’ll release an album of remixes. In the meanwhile, they will light up venues around the Bay Area not only with their kaleidoscopically high energy live performances, but also their line-out-the-door popular new clubs “Swagger Like Us” (El Rio) and “Church” (Public Works, produced with Peaches Christ). For more info and upcoming dates, check out Double Duchess’ website at www.doubleduchess.com. - Bay Area Reporter

In another edition of Stash vs. Qream, the free Tuesday night alt-queer weekly party joined forces with the monthly drag family that is Qream. There are always a handful of usual suspects in the Qream lineup: hosted by Oscar Wildchilde and supported by Tammy Faymous, Ginger Alley, Chaz Casz and, last night, with a new girl, Sooshi Harajuku. But last night they threw in an extra-special guest, the sassy spitting duo of davO and Krylon Superstar. They were nasty (good nasty) and it was a refreshing taste of queer hip-hop.

And you should hear this EP called Hey Girl. Prior to last night, we’d been exposed to “bang my coochie,” a sickening hybrid between Big Freedia’s brand of sissybounce and our own Sgt. Sass’ outright queer sensibility. It’s real high-energy. There’s a little Spank Rockness in there, too, especially in those Baltimore-flavored club-banger beats. The energy is pretty infectious and they were feeling Philly last night in their first visit to the Gayborhood. The music itself was significantly awesome and fun, but that wasn’t even the half. You should’ve seen how they looked.

They both wore a black lace booty short unitard kind of number. Krylon had her braids up in some kind of Star Wars prom up do and davO’s big plastic glasses complemented his tattoos. They wore makeup and jewelery – Krylon had a big ole’ gold coin necklace but mid-performance she lost the jewels and the buns. That would get in the way of dropping to the floor like you’re dead. That’s how they do in Paris Is Burning, most certainly an influence on these queens. There was much vogueing and “WORK!”s. The main upstairs dancefloor room has these crazy neon lights along the wall and a little stage – it looks like a bootleg Hype Williams video. The stage is a workable stage and these two ran it like Naomi Campbell wannabes with struts and poses.

Anyway, check out their site for reference and like em’ on Facbeook. And don’t pass up another chance to see them ever again.
- Philadelphia Weekly

In another edition of Stash vs. Qream, the free Tuesday night alt-queer weekly party joined forces with the monthly drag family that is Qream. There are always a handful of usual suspects in the Qream lineup: hosted by Oscar Wildchilde and supported by Tammy Faymous, Ginger Alley, Chaz Casz and, last night, with a new girl, Sooshi Harajuku. But last night they threw in an extra-special guest, the sassy spitting duo of davO and Krylon Superstar. They were nasty (good nasty) and it was a refreshing taste of queer hip-hop.

And you should hear this EP called Hey Girl. Prior to last night, we’d been exposed to “bang my coochie,” a sickening hybrid between Big Freedia’s brand of sissybounce and our own Sgt. Sass’ outright queer sensibility. It’s real high-energy. There’s a little Spank Rockness in there, too, especially in those Baltimore-flavored club-banger beats. The energy is pretty infectious and they were feeling Philly last night in their first visit to the Gayborhood. The music itself was significantly awesome and fun, but that wasn’t even the half. You should’ve seen how they looked.

They both wore a black lace booty short unitard kind of number. Krylon had her braids up in some kind of Star Wars prom up do and davO’s big plastic glasses complemented his tattoos. They wore makeup and jewelery – Krylon had a big ole’ gold coin necklace but mid-performance she lost the jewels and the buns. That would get in the way of dropping to the floor like you’re dead. That’s how they do in Paris Is Burning, most certainly an influence on these queens. There was much vogueing and “WORK!”s. The main upstairs dancefloor room has these crazy neon lights along the wall and a little stage – it looks like a bootleg Hype Williams video. The stage is a workable stage and these two ran it like Naomi Campbell wannabes with struts and poses.

Anyway, check out their site for reference and like em’ on Facbeook. And don’t pass up another chance to see them ever again.
- Philadelphia Weekly

Behold: A magical hip-hop experience filled with transvestites, sparklers, glitter and mile-high stilettos.

It's San Francisco's newest queer hip-hop anthem, and we're in love.

"Bucket Betch," the new single released by Double Dutchess, exhibits queer San Francisco at its most outrageous. In matching metallic gold booty shorts, the hip-hop duo proclaims that LGBT individuals are "popping up and taking over the place," from the Castro to Tokyo.

(SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO)

Composed of Krylon Superstar and d.a.v.O., Double Duchess describes their music as campy electro-hop. Whatever the category, the high-energy divas know how to show off the best of a San Francisco summer. - Huffington Post