Warpaint, A Girl Band Like No Other: MY LA (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Remember the Greek mythological sirens, the seductive bird-women who lured nearby sailors to death by shipwreck with their beautiful, haunting voices? Warpaint is kind of like that.

You may love you some Cat Power or Mazzy Star, but it's something altogether different when it's four enchantresses singing together. You really haven't heard anything like it. And Warpaint's sound is not the only thing they invented: With a "ragdoll/tomboy/truck stop" look, these girls bring a whole new meaning to laidback Los Angeles.

The band originally consisted of Oregon childhood friends Emily Kokal (vocals, guitar) and Theresa Wayman (guitar, vocals), and Reno sisters actress Shannyn Sossamon (drums, vocals) and Jenny Lee Lindberg (bass, vocals). The girls became close friends in Los Angeles and started Warpaint on Valentine's Day in 2004. Four years later they released their debut EP "Exquisite Corpse," which was mixed by then-Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante. The EP quickly jumped to number 1 on the Los Angeles Amoeba Records local artist chart.

The following year, Australian talented drummer Stella Mozgawa joined the band. Soon after, Warpaint created their highly acclaimed full debut album, "The Fool." In the spring and summer of 2011, the band toured 26 countries, playing at festivals including Bonnaroo and Coachella and with bands TV on the Radio, Bright Eyes, Band of Horses, Sonic Youth and The xx. Now, back home in Los Angeles, the foursome are working on their next album. HuffPost LA recently had a chance to catch up with the band -- check out the Q&A in the slideshow below. And, if you're feeling dangerous, have a listen to their mystical music videos. Enjoy.

"Warpaint" (Official Video)

"Stars" (Official Video)

Comments

[revko]

10:53 PM on 01/11/2012

not bad

[MayberryClark]

11:11 AM on 01/05/2012

HP is into the second day of their "Warpaint" advertising campaign.

[Zach Rosencrantz]

06:18 AM on 01/05/2012

i hear these girls are really into organic yoga mats from whole foods glendale.

[thecastermaster]

01:01 AM on 01/05/2012

So many hateful remarks on here, from "they look like man-hating lesbians" to "their music is horrible." If you are such a music aficionado, then simply go out start your own band, battle your way through the overcrowded LA music scene, and become famous.... Not so easy is it. Time to rethink your petty comments.

[Theda]

03:06 AM on 01/05/2012

I agree, castermaster. Becoming famous in the L.A. music scene is a wonderous event. Those who criticize are just jealous and resentful, because their lives are probably so dull and boring.

[thecastermaster]

04:05 AM on 01/05/2012

F & F

[MayberryClark]

11:12 AM on 01/05/2012

Just a minute, why not let them state whether or not they're man hating lesbians?

[thecastermaster]

02:17 PM on 01/05/2012

They aren't, one recently dated one of the Chili Peppers, and why would you date a man if you hated them?

[Just walkin the dog here]

12:40 AM on 01/05/2012

I remember being that boy. I'll never forget her. Nice song, nice video. Thanks for the bittersweet remembrance.

[SarcasticFringehead]

11:03 PM on 01/04/2012

Where are the songs about how much they love their boyfriends?

Or songs about how hurt they are because they just broke up with their boyfriends?

I'm only sort-of kidding.

Actually, I'm glad this band is breaking away from such an obvious female band stereotype.

Keep pushing the envelope, ladies.

[Theda]

03:07 AM on 01/05/2012

always good to push the envelope.

[wheelzroller]

08:32 PM on 01/04/2012

As a band they need more work ! Good luck to them !

[ProfessorBIGWUN]

08:07 PM on 01/04/2012

Who had a connection at HP to get an article abt these ?@^&%*$ in here?

[Ember Firedog]

07:45 PM on 01/04/2012

Look like self-assured young musicians to me. Go Warpaint!

[MayberryClark]

06:47 PM on 01/04/2012

They all look like man hating lesbians to me.

[Doug Cain]

11:53 PM on 01/04/2012

Actually, I know some man-hating lesbians, and trust me they don't look like this. These are what we would call the Lipstick sort: very docile and perhaps bi--RELAX!

[MayberryClark]

12:31 AM on 01/05/2012

Sure. Did you ever see "Fatal Attraction"?

[thomas paine]

03:55 PM on 02/04/2012

And you read like a tool to me.

[archrev]

04:58 PM on 01/04/2012

CORRECTION: The "Exquisite Corpse" EP was produced and engineered by Jacob Bercovici, and mixed by John Frusciante

[teejones]

05:48 PM on 01/04/2012

....and they still sound awful. Especially that "gotcha" song Undertow. Just imagine if a guy had wrote that song about a woman.
The whole CD sounds like two 11th graders got together at a slumber party one night....

[awildspandex]

06:00 AM on 01/05/2012

Interesting. Personally I think Undertow is close to the culminative point in the album where, having being introduced to the vibe, the feel, the overall sound and atmosphere of The Fool by "Set Your Arms Down", and then drawn into the web by "Warpaint" deep into the web, you find yourself captivated, hitting the peak of the musical experience so to speak. Sure, you could just stop listening right now.. but why would you possibly want to? And could you? Now she's got you in the Undertow, you're trapped. This realisation is enforced by the lyric "Why you wanna blame me for your troubles? You better learn your lesson yourself", you can leave anytime you like, but something is compelling you to stay, to ride out the journey. It's not her fault, you got yourself into this, and now you're going to have to stick it out, but you'll be all the better for it in the long run. What I perceive as the lyrical meaning behind this song can only really be experienced in the context of the album as an experience, like a lot of songs, so sit down and give it a proper listen sometime.

[awildspandex]

06:02 AM on 01/05/2012

Aside from the lyrical content itself and its position within the album, the track itself is musically brilliant. The deep chorusy bass chords, the synergy between Jenny's bass and Stella's drums, the somewhat tribal, trance like feel the drums express is just magical. The taunting, almost haunting vocal harmonies are just amazing, the texture, the interweaving guitars, it just all fits together so incredibly well. I think I could go on forever. I wish I could have pulled off something like this in 11th grade, or even come remotely close. Although I am sure there are 11th graders out there who probably could turn out a record as amazing as this one, at least I like to hope there would be.

[drmdj]

04:43 PM on 01/04/2012

I absolutely love Warpaint!! They have been one of my favorite bands for awhile now.

[ronald33]

08:47 PM on 01/13/2012

I used to do music reviews of female artists for DISCOVERIES and ROCK CITY NEWS Magazines. I've never seen them live,but I saw their video at the Hollywood Bowl....Warpaint
are,in my estimation,the most intense all-female band of ALL TIME!

[holyghostie]

04:11 PM on 01/04/2012

meh-