The band weaves intricate guitar lines, hypnotic vocals, and driving post-punk rhythms into gorgeous, sprawling songs that skirt the line between the soundscapes of psychedelia and intimacy. The group has gone through many line-up changes, including actress Shannyn Sossamon and Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer.
In early 2009, their self-released debut EP "Exquisite Corpse" soared straight to #1 on legendary Los Angeles Amoeba Records’ local artists chart. By September 2009, Manimal Vinyl reissued it on CD and vinyl, complete with a new bonus track, ‘Krimson’. Mixed by John Frusciante (Red Hot Chili Peppers), the EP successfully captures the band’s sonic textures and playful dynamism that they’re notorious for creating in a live setting. With a buzz already in the air, Warpaint is now beginning to stir the masses with praise in the US and abroad. Dazed and Confused calls "Exquisite Corpse" "a collection of magical psychedelia drifting over sublime moments of raw melody courtesy of the three free ethereal vocalists,” while The Independent adds, “They make a quite lovely sound with dreamy vocals, off-kilter hazy guitars.”
On October 25, 2010, the band released their debut album, The Fool. The album received a glowing review in the NME. Prior to the album's release, the band contributed a cover of the David Bowie song "Ashes to Ashes" to We Were So Turned On, a Bowie tribute album released in conjunction with War Child.
"Shadows", the first single from their debut album, was released as a digital download and 12" vinyl on January 10, 2011. A remix of the single, "Shadows (Neon Lights Remix)", proved popular; managing to be playlisted by BBC Radio 1 as part of the In New Music We Trust.
Warpaint toured the United States and Europe in the spring and summer of 2011 to promote the album. They played at various major festivals including Bonnaroo, Glastonbury Festival, Reading and Leeds Festivals, Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Rock Werchter and Electric Picnic.
In 2011, the rerelease of Undertow charted in the UK at number 92 and also in Australia at number 75. On September 25, 2011 they played the prestigious Hollywood Bowl (as a support act).
As early as 2011, drummer Stella Mozgawa, in an interview with NME, expressed the band's intention to "experiment and write with one another" as the current line-up had never composed songs "from the ground up" together. Bassist Jenny Lee Lindberg further indicated that most of the newer songs were written by "just jam[ming] and free-flow[ing] onstage".
In February 2013, Guitarist Theresa Wayman confirmed to NME that the band intended to create a minimalist sound on Warpaint, revealing that the band developed songs at soundchecks, and experimented more with acoustic guitars and percussion instruments on the album. Lead vocalist Emily Kokal noted that R&B and rap music was an influence on Warpaint and stated that on the album there are "things that have drum machines and ambience, music that's more than standard rock." Kokal added that the album is largely keys-based, which contributed to the overall sound being "definitely different" from the band's previous album The Fool (2010).
Produced by Flood and mixed by Nigel Godrich, Warpaint is due to be released in Germany, Ireland, Netherlands and Switzerland on January 17, 2014; January 20 in Denmark, France, Sweden and the United Kingdom; and January 21 in Spain and the United States on Rough Trade Records. A snippet of the album's lead single, "Love Is to Die", was featured in an advertisement for Calvin Klein on September 25, 2013 and later as part of a teaser for an upcoming documentary of the same name about the recording of Warpaint. The single was released on October 28 with the pre-ordered digital version of the album.
On November 20, Warpaint performed "Composure," from The Fool, as well as new songs "Love Is to Die" and "Keep It Healthy" on BBC 6 Music with Steve Lamacq in the United Kingdom. The next day, an article from the December 2013 issue of Dazed & Confused magazine appeared online, providing insight into the making of the new album, as well as the accompanying documentary, filmed by Jenny Lee Lindberg's husband and filmmaker, Chris Cunningham. Lindberg later confirmed in a November 24 interview on XFM that Cunningham's documentary would be made available shortly after the album's release.
www.warpaintwarpaint.com
Champion
Warpaint Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Breathing in and out
I'm a million years old
I'm a champion
I'm a champion
I'm an ocean
Breathing in and out
I'm a champion
I'm a champion
Breathe in and breathe it out
And here it is, I've got you
And here it is, I talk to you
I hope you figure out
Everything you're on about
I'm an ocean
Breathing in and out
I'm a million years old
I'm a champion
I'm a champion
And here it is, I've got you
And here it is, I talk to you
I hope you figure out
Everything you're on about
We're all the same sun
We're all our own sun too
We're all the ocean
We all look out at you
We're all the same sun
We're all our own sun too
We're all the ocean
We all look out to you
And here it is, I've got you
And here it is, I talk to you
I hope you figure out
Everything you're on about
The lyrics to Warpaint's song "Champion" convey a sense of empowerment and self-awareness. The repeated assertion of being an ocean breathing in and out suggests a vastness and timelessness to the singer's existence. They feel aged and experienced, as if they have been through countless years of growth and evolution. This establishes a sense of wisdom and resilience, positioning the singer as a champion. The repetition of "I'm a champion" reinforces their self-belief and confidence.
The chorus acts as a reminder to breathe in and breathe out, implying the importance of staying grounded and present. The lines "And here it is, I talk to you / I hope you figure out / Everything you're on about" highlight the singer's desire to connect and provide guidance to someone else. They express hope that this individual gains clarity and understanding regarding their own journey.
The final verse expands the perspective, suggesting that everyone shares a commonality as the same sun and ocean. We are all interconnected, yet we also possess our own individuality and unique perspective. The singer acknowledges that their gaze, along with the gaze of others, is directed towards this person they are speaking to.
Overall, the lyrics of "Champion" emphasize self-assuredness, the importance of connection, and the unity of humanity.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm an ocean
I am vast and ever-changing, with depths and power beyond comprehension
Breathing in and out
Continuously taking in experiences and emotions, and releasing them back into the world
I'm a million years old
My essence has witnessed the passage of time and carries the wisdom of countless generations
I'm a champion
I am resilient, strong, and victorious in the face of challenges and obstacles
And here it is, I've got you
In this moment, I am connected to you and hold you close
And here it is, I talk to you
Through my presence, I communicate and share my thoughts and feelings with you
I hope you figure out
I wish for you to discover, comprehend, and find clarity
Everything you're on about
All the ideas, concerns, and matters that occupy your thoughts and actions
We're all the same sun
We are united as a source of light, warmth, and life, regardless of our differences
We're all our own sun too
Individually, we each possess the power to shine brightly and illuminate our own paths
We're all the ocean
Collectively, we are interconnected and part of the vast, boundless entity of existence
We all look out at you
In unison, we observe and pay attention to your actions, perspectives, and contributions
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Emily Kokal, Jennifer Lee Lindberg, Stella Mozgawa, Theresa Wayman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
RedGoldGreen-Dub1975
Such a beautiful song love it 💓👌🏻
Daniel Stauss
Jenny and Stella have long been one of my favorite rhythm sections, but they are NEXT LEVEL on this track
Nora Castrejón
agree! those women are awsome musicians!!!! The entire band is amazing.
K. Zjorgen.K
Qué padre fue verlas🔥
K2A
And when the world needed them the most...
They appeared again!!
Moru
This single makes me so happy. Love these women, love their evolution and creation, so glad they're back!
ian smith
i get happy when i eat sausages
endañuky alvarez
6 utópico biológico obvio busco
Chris Stephens
I totally agree. An awesome band of amazing musicians.
Squire Muldoon
@ian smith ever had sausage while listening to warpaint ? They complement each other well.