Warpaint (band)

Warpaint

Performing in Leicester, August 2011
Background information
Origin Los Angeles, California
Genres Art rock, indie rock, dream pop
Years active 2004 (2004)–present
Labels Manimal Vinyl, Rough Trade
Website warpaintwarpaint.com
Members
Emily Kokal
Theresa Wayman
Jenny Lee Lindberg
Stella Mozgawa
Past members
Shannyn Sossamon
David Orlando
Michael Quinn
Josh Klinghoffer

Warpaint is an American art rock group from Los Angeles, formed in 2004.[1] The band's members are Emily Kokal (vocals, guitar), Theresa Wayman (guitar, vocals), Jenny Lee Lindberg (bass, vocals), and Stella Mozgawa (drums). The band's membership has also included actress Shannyn Sossamon and Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer. Warpaint released their debut EP, Exquisite Corpse, in 2009, followed by their full length album, The Fool, released on 25 October 2010.[2][3]

On 6 December 2010, the BBC announced that Warpaint had been nominated for the BBC's Sound of 2011 poll[4] and they were the cover stars of Beat magazine's Winter 2010 launch issue.[5]

Contents

History

Beginning and formation (2004-2007)

Warpaint formed in Los Angeles on Valentine's Day, 2004. The original line-up consisted of childhood friends, Theresa Wayman and Emily Kokal, alongside sisters, Shannyn Sossamon and Jenny Lee Lindberg. The band played in the Los Angeles area for three years, writing songs ("Stars", "Beetles", and "Elephants") which would eventually comprise their debut EP, Exquisite Corpse.

Exquisite Corpse (2007-2009)

The band began recording their debut EP, Exquisite Corpse, in December 2007, with producer Jacob Bercovici. The sessions took over two months and concluded with mixing and mastering by then Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante who was also Emily's boyfriend at the time. Warpaint self-released the EP in 2008, which quickly moved to #1 on the Los Angeles Amoeba Records local artist chart. In 2009, Exquisite Corpse was re-released worldwide on Manimal Vinyl records to critical acclaim. The song "Elephants" featured in the 2011 independent feature film "Siren", a horror genre film, directed by Andrew Hull and released by Lionsgate.

Drummer Stella Mozgawa joined the band in the winter of 2009. Shortly afterwards, Warpaint were signed to Rough Trade Records, and immediately began extensive touring throughout the United States and Europe including an opening slot for The xx.[6]

The Fool (2010-present)

On October 25, 2010, the band released their debut album, The Fool.[3] The album received a glowing review in the NME.[7] Prior to the album's release, the band contributed a cover of the David Bowie song, "Ashes to Ashes", to We Were So Turned On, a Bowie tribute album released in conjunction with War Child.

In November 2010, the band revealed that the song, "Shadows", would be the first single release from their debut album and would be released as a digital download and 12" vinyl on 10 January 2011.[8] A remix of the single, "Shadows (Neon Lights Remix)" has proven popular;[9] managing to be playlisted by BBC Radio 1 as part of the In New Music We Trust.

Warpaint were on tour in the United States and Europe in the spring and summer of 2011 to promote the album. They played at various major festivals including Bonnaroo, Glastonbury Festival, Reading and Leeds Festivals, Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and Rock Werchter.

Style

Warpaint have been compared to Cocteau Twins,[10] Joni Mitchell,[11] and Siouxsie and the Banshees.[11]

Discography

Studio albums

Year Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
U.S.
 UK
2010 The Fool 176 41
"—" denotes a title that did not chart.

Extended plays

List of extended plays
Title EP details
Exquisite Corpse
  • Released: 6 October 2009 (US)
  • Label: Manimal Vinyl
  • Format: Digital download, LP

Singles

List of singles, showing year released and album name
Year Single Peak chart positions Album
UK
2010 "Undertow" – The Fool
2011 "Shadows" –
"Undertow" (re-release) –

Guest appearances

List of singles, showing year released and album name
Year Single Album
2010 "Ashes to Ashes" (cover of David Bowie song) We Were So Turned On

Music videos

Year Title Director
2009 "Stars" Burke Roberts + Adam Harding[12]
2010 "Elephants" Bruce Muller[13]
"Beetles" Takayuki Okada + Koji Nishida[14]
"Undertow" Shannyn Sossamon[15]
2011 "Warpaint" Ted Newsome[16]

Members

Current

Past

Equipment

Instruments

Pedals

Amps

References

  1. ^ Warpaint Information., NME Radar, Retrieved 2010-11-25.
  2. ^ Warpaint Interview – Debut Album. Retrieved 2010-10-16.
  3. ^ a b c "Warpaint – The Fool – Review." The Guardian, Retrieved 2010-10-21.
  4. ^ Sound of 2011. BBC poll, Retrieved 2010-12-06.
  5. ^ BEAT - Warpaint, Retrieved 2011-02-26.
  6. ^ The xx Autumn Tour. Retrieved 2010-09-25.
  7. ^ Snapes, Laura. "The Fool" review NME.com. 15 October 2010.
  8. ^ Warpaint select "Shadows" as their second single. Retrieved 2010-12-26.
  9. ^ Warpaint "Shadows (Neon Lights Remix)" Information. Retrieved 2010-12-27.
  10. ^ NME 50 BEST NEW BANDS OF 2010. NME.com. NME said: “They consolidated their bonds via ritualistic slumber parties, gorging on a diet of early Cocteau Twins dream-pop, the muddy bass twang of grunge and sassy R&B in order to write songs about toying with your heart.”
  11. ^ a b Perry, Andrew."Warpaint: Who's that tomboy over there, who looks like she doesn't care?" Telegraph.co.uk. 18 October 2010. Retrieved 2011-05-30.
  12. ^ Warpaint – Stars – Music video. Retrieved 2011-01-07.
  13. ^ Warpaint – Elephants – Music video. Retrieved 2011-01-07.
  14. ^ Warpaint – Beetles – Music video. Retrieved 2011-01-07.
  15. ^ Warpaint – Undertow – Music video. Retrieved 2011-01-07.
  16. ^ Warpaint – Warpaint – Music video. Retrieved 2011-01-07.

External links