Photo credit: Robin Laananen
How about we start with the basics. What's with the name Warpaint and who thought of it?
Well, I came up with it one day walking to the movies and I just felt pretty strongly that it was the name, and everyone would ultimately agree. We were thinking of names all the time, constantly saying band name ideas like we had band name tourettes or something! Most names would either be for a laugh or something we would quickly move away from. I think we all agreed, even if we never articulated it that the name had to be something that hit as hard to us as the music, and how we feel about the music, or the band relationship itself. There are a lot of ideas and different ways to interpret the name, and that went along with a kind of dichotomy we feel as a band as well.
What other band names were suggested before you settled on Warpaint?
'I love you' was one Theresa and I were pretty into; nothing more hard core than I love you. Lets see… 'World War IV' when we were a three-piece. 'Notes from the Underground' was our first band name that we played under, but for the first few shows I don't even think we had a name.
Why do you think everyone always makes a big deal of you being an 'all-girl' rock band?
Because it's different and new for the recent past, I suppose. Something fresh from the old standard jock rock.
Who are your musical influences?
I grew up with a mom who had pretty amazing musical taste. We listened to everything - a lot of left of center, psychedelic, dreamy, folksy, rootsy stuff. Live concert records of amazing ‘60s and ‘70s groups, tight instrumentals, jammy, Robert Fripp, Adrien Belew, Talking Heads, Yes, and Irish folk music haha… maybe what I would consider a pretty Northern California musical sensibility. Of course all the '80s stuff - Michael Jackson, Wham, Cyndi Lauper, U2, and Peter Gabriel. I love rap, I love dub, I love ambient, electronic, classical... it's all in the influence of my life.
You've previously said that once you get mainstream success there is almost a pressure to conform to a formula in order to continue the success - are you there yet, are you starting to feel the pressure?
I'm not feeling that pressure at all. When we get in a space to write it becomes more about how we feel about it as a group, and react to the collaboration than to an outside idea. We're very influenced by each other and the desire to fit our different styles into something we feel really reflects each persons need for expression, and represents the sonics of the band.
If you weren't in Warpaint, what would you be doing?
Maybe I'd be in the circus.
You played at Glastonbury this summer, was that your first time? How did you find it?
Yeah this was our first. It was really fun, messy and muddy, huge, surprising, and exciting… great memories!
Did you camp out with the masses?
Nah we had a bus.
What was your Glastonbury highlight?
Radiohead were a surprise guest and watching them from really close up was amazing. We all had really ridiculously huge smiles on our faces. James Blake got a whole huge crowd feeling as one in a very sexy way. Also, just walking around with my band mates and friends finding adventures.
Because of your tour, have you all become masters of packing efficiently and travelling light?
Well, I'm doing this interview with three more hours to go before our seven weeklong tour and my bags aren't packed. We'll see…
What item of clothing could you not live without?
My warm cosy colorful cashmere sweater of love.
Give us your best travel tip:
Enjoy the journey!
*Peace!
