Warpaint
Emily Kokal
Vocals, Guitar
Theresa Wayman
Vocals, Guitar
jennylee
Bass
Stella Mozgawa
Drums (2009 - )
Shannyn Sossamon
Drums ('04 - '08)
Formed: 2004
Location: Los Angeles, California, USA
Genre: Indie Rock, Dream Pop
Years Active: 2004 -
Meaning of the Name: Refers to the ritualistic application of warpaint to indicate membership of a tribe. Women sometimes refer to makeup as "warpaint".
Way of Working: Collaborative
Associated: Little Two's
Labels: Rough Trade, Virgin
Location: Los Angeles, California, USA
Genre: Indie Rock, Dream Pop
Years Active: 2004 -
Meaning of the Name: Refers to the ritualistic application of warpaint to indicate membership of a tribe. Women sometimes refer to makeup as "warpaint".
Way of Working: Collaborative
Associated: Little Two's
Labels: Rough Trade, Virgin
Essential Releases
Exquisite Corpse
EP (2008)
Primal exploration of their early psychedelic sound, featuring lengthy, hypnotic songs.
The Fool (2010)
Debut album. Trance-inducing guitar work with a prominent bass.
Warpaint (2014)
More atmospheric than their debut LP. A warm, mellow sound influenced by trip hop and electronica.
When Warpaint formed on Valentine's Day 2004, love was in the air. For their original rhythm section, comprised of sisters Shannyn Sossamon and Jenny Lee Lindberg, it was a family affair. For jennylee, as the latter likes to be known, and singer Emily Kokal it was as instant besties; the pair met at a Los Angeles audition where they both felt like "oddballs" and had natural chemistry.
The band have a distinctly L.A. vibe, sun-drenched bohemian chic that flirts with the edges of celebrity. Their debut EP was produced by Kokal's former boyfriend, who just so happened to be the Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante. In a town like Hollywood, it helps to know people. Indeed, Sossamon eventually succumbed to Hollywood's allure and left the group to pursue a full-time acting career in 2008.
However, better than knowing people is knowing people you can trust. Kokal spoke in an interview about her instant chemistry with jennylee:
"It doesn’t just happen when you fall in love with a boy. I think you can see somebody and just be like, 'Whoa, I know that you and I would really get along.'"Warpaint's sound exudes a luscious sense of ease born from this very comfort. Their early work in particular was the product of long, marijuana-laced jam sessions that allowed songs to emerge organically over time. Sultry bridges and psychedelic hooks were nurtured from one form to another, meticulously crafted and propelled by resonant basslines that act as a traditional lead guitar, giving their work a unique selling point lacking in some of their peers.
The experience of listening to Warpaint reflects this creative environment; their work builds in stages and requires patience to fully appreciate. To illustrate, six of the nine songs on 2010's The Fool are longer than five minutes, and none are shorter than four. The result is a feeling of earned familiarity.
Ultimately, for Warpaint, their sound is the byproduct of a natural connection; their spending time together was simply facilitated by music. The high-quality end product allowed them to turn their shared hobby into a career. I suspect the same women would have continued to play together without even an iota of talent, solely because it gave them an excuse to hang.
Skills
*This is a work in progress. Values are subjective.Emotional Impact
70
Mental Impact
55
Originality
70
Artistry
80
Authenticity
80
Live
80
Production
80
Musicianship
80
Singing
70
Songwriting
70
Danceability
65
Fun
60
Consistency
70
Range
75
Cool
75
Charisma
55
Commercial & Critical Success
Awards
Certifications >>>
- The Fool: Silver in the UK
Charts >>>
- Warpaint: Number 9 in the UK
