A frequent, if unfortunate, trend in music journalism in recent years, or perhaps a recurring trend in music writing that cannot fit into snug genres, involves tacking on “experimental” or the suffix “-wave.” This approach does nothing but detract from the meaningful usage of either term, much in the way that the ‘90’s “alternative” boom rendered that term normal and ineffectual in print.
Los Angeles’ Warpaint most often are dubbed with the “experimental” tag, but its sound begs more attention than that middle-of-the-road title. Formed in 2004, the band first materialized in its current form in the winter of 2007 to record its debut EP, 2008’s “Exquisite Corpse,” and spent the following year playing around LA, holding residencies at various clubs while crafting its sound and finalizing its current lineup.
“Exquisite Corpse,” produced by former Red Hot Chili Pepper John Frusciante and featuring current Pepper Josh Klinghoffer and founding member/Hollywood actress Shannyn Sossamon on drums, displays a lush yet heavy sound, sometimes meandering in lulling vocal melodies and at others crushing the listener under almost-submerged, slow-phased guitars and throbbing bass. The initial printing of the album shot the band to local fame after topping Amoeba Music’s sales charts and was subsequently reprinted with international distribution by Manimal Vinyl.
Touring behind that record was the band’s first experience on the road, yet over the last year it has made several cross-country expeditions and garnered rave reviews at larger festivals like Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza. “After School of Seven Bells last year we did sort of a perimeter tour of the country and did South By Southwest and other things, but this is our fourth tour now,” guitarist and singer Theresa Wayman said. “We’ve grown a lot in the last nine months.”
As the band prepares for the the release of its full-length debut, “The Fool,” it continues to tour nationally, recently with electro hip-hop duo Javelin. Wayman said the shows were among the most fun the band has played, noting one such show at New York City’s Whitney Museum as a highlight. On “The Fool,” Wayman said the band has stayed close to home but also significantly restyled its earlier “dreamy” style.
“Before, I think we had sort of a dreamy sound, but I’d say we’ve gotten rowdy,” Wayman said from a stop on the way to last night’s show in Chapel Hill, N.C. “Some of the songs we’ve been carrying around for a while and they’ve changed and evolved in the process with Stella (Mozgawa, the band’s drummer who joined last fall) added to the mix.” Warpaint will play the Pilot Light tonight at 10 p.m. with Fecal Japan.
Attendance is $10 and over 18 only.
