![]() Warpaint is not your typical rock band they completely surpass a lot of the guitar-based groups I’ve seen in the past few years due to their strong live performance. On their recent self-titled release, Warpaint took their sound to the next level with more dramatic tempo shifts and additional electronic aspects. ![]() They debuted their dreamy, atmospheric sound with their Exquisite Corpse EP and followed it The Fool, an album that earned them major critical acclaim for their live prowess, as well as their range and instinctiveness (with Stella Mozgawa joining them on drums). Warpaint formed in Los Angeles by long-time friends Emily Kokal (guitar and vocals), Theresa Wayman (guitar and vocals), and sisters Shannyn Sossamon (drums) and Jenny Lee Lindberg (bass and backing vocals). The DJs used cheesy words like “psychedelic” and “groovy’ to describe their sound but that didn’t keep me from turning up the volume without shame. While I was living in Minneapolis, I remember their lead single “Undertow” was popular on Minnesota Public Radio. I wasn’t too familiar with Warpaint until I saw their set at this year’s Pickathon Festival in Happy Valley, Oregon. The crowd was ceaseless, but the show had finished, regardless of their longing cries for more.Warpaint at Wonder Ballroom photo by Lauren Baker It finally halted, without warning, each woman uttering a quiet “thank you” and disappearing offstage. It seemed as though the song would never end, Mozgawa especially energetic on the drums with Lindberg hovering over her, playing bass with feverish momentum. They played crowd favourites “ Billie Holiday” and a drawn out, embellished version of “ Burgundy” that sent the audience into rapture. The theatre rattled, feet pounded, and whistles blew in unison until they finally reappeared from backstage. WARPAINT COMPOSURE LYRICS PLUSWayman spoke to the audience often, charming and tipsy on the energy that was reflected back at the band, plus whatever else she had consumed pre-show. ![]() Their single “ Love is to Die” received passionate praise – almost every other person sung along with eyes closed, in complete ecstasy. Kokal seemed to strain her voice, unable to hit the required high notes, sipping on a mug between songs. Unexpected, distressed noise rang over their arrangements the women glanced at one another for reassurance. At certain points during their set, there were evident, near deafening, sound issues. The crowd vibrated, collectively buzzing and bouncing in time. In these moments, both band and audience lost themselves in the divine power of sound. Each was completely enrapturing and exquisitely performed. Most tracks spanned vast distances in all directions, with improvised guitar riffs, drum rolls, and vocal harmonies. Warpaint’s live show was most captivating in the moments when their songs extended beyond album length. Stella Mozgawa smacked her skins with discipline and mastery she is the band’s hidden gem, sitting pretty behind the other three women as well as her gigantic kit. Undeniably captivating, Jenny Lee Lindberg swayed violently with her bass, sporting an army green jumpsuit and a pink half-pony. They moved straight into two tracks from The Fool: “ Composure” and “ Undertow.” Emily Kokal purred along with Wayman – their choral symbiosis was utter perfection. High-pitched feedback spewed from her monitor, but she persevered and her vocals smoothed out – her voice was velvety and soothing by the end of the track. They opened almost immediately with “ Feeling Alright,” Theresa Wayman voice sounding out of tune and disjointed. The four women finally traipsed onstage looking celestial and in control. The crowd was noticeably rowdy for a Tuesday night. ![]() Making one’s way toward the front of the stage was a constant brawl, thrusting through very drunk, mildly belligerent, middle-aged men alongside young women dressed to the nine’s in 90’s goth-pop attire. Warpaint had yet to play, but the anticipation was apparent. ![]() Girls fixed their lipstick, filled their bar-cups with liquid from hidden flasks, and screamed half-recollected lyrics at the top of their lungs. Inside the women’s washroom, it was nearly impossible to find a spot at the sink. The air inside the Corona Theatre was humid and stale the smell of mature beer wafted amongst the crowd in the jam-packed venue. ![]()
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