Warpaint is a 4-piece girl band from Los Angeles. I’m guessing that when you hear the word girl band you automatically think: poppy, fake, materialized rubbish. This is definitely not the case with Warpaint.
Warpaint are an experimental art, rock group who formed in 2004. Although primarily indie, the girls describe their genre as Ghettotech, Melodramatic Popular Song and Psychedelic.
The girls came together to create a different type of music and sound, they succeeded.
With melodic and peaceful symphonies mixed with rock and guitar leads, Warpaint have conquered a combination that works wonders. Their haunting sounds relax and entice, whilst contrasting beats adding flavor to the melodic tones and harmonies.
Releasing their first album “The Fool” in October 2010, as well their debut single “Undertow” the band captured the attention of many music lovers.
The group is scheduled to play at several large festivals over the summer months including Coachella and Glastonbury.
Warpaint are an extremely unique band that I admire greatly. I hope they keep producing and playing great music!
The viewers, of the show, took a strong liking to Tommy’s individuality along with the judges. The emotional connection he held with a song often reduced him and his viewers to tears. He was unique because he was true to his heart and sang for his pleasure rather than to impress. With much support Tommy ultimately won the show.
After his triumph his first single “Gimme a call” was instantly released into the U.K charts. The song reached 14 in the single charts but unfortunately for him, his success didn’t last long. Read More »
Okay, I know we’ve already had the “Rebecca Black” blog post done by yourgingerkid, but I’d like to take a different point of view on the matter. Yes, like yourgingerkid, I do feel bad for Rebecca Black, she’s young and doesn’t deserve all of the death threats, and she also probably doesn’t know that her voice sounds like a walrus on crack. But I also have to say, as a musician, I am insulted.
(Said Walrus on Crack)
As a vocalist, I am insulted that a 13-year-old girl and so much autotune that you don’t even know what her voice truly sounds like (except for the fact that it’s unbelievably nasally) has gotten recognition for being “the next Justin Bieber,” even though he isn’t that fabulous anyway.
As a lyricist, I am insulted that a mere child is talking about partying, and even more so insulted that, in her bridge, she sings, “We we we so excited, we so excited, we gonna have a ball today.” I’M SORRY, but it really makes me cringe that she couldn’t use “we’re” or “we are” or just follow the proper rules of grammar.
As a musician, I am insulted that electronic instruments, terrible electronic drums, and a music video with more awkward dancing than a middle school dance has more than 73 million views.
I am happy to say it is nearly Spring. The flowers are getting ready to bloom, Shrove Tuesday has passed and lambs are in abundance. It is a season for new life, new starts and ultimately a preparation for the summer months to follow.
To me Spring also means a new iPod playlist. I am on a mission to find new artists and songs to take me through the coming months and gradually take me into the Summer.
Although I cannot drive I do like to listen to music in the passenger seat. To me a ride in the morning with the windows rolled down and idyllic acoustic music is perfect for these months. In the past albums by The Kooks and Razorlight have been great but I feel I need some more theme tunes for 2011.
I feel it is time to get exploring for some new anthems.
Here’s a song from last year that I enjoyed over the Spring months.
From meth burnt carpets in Las Vegas hell holes to champagne buffets aboard the Mary Ellen, their mission is to die free and to play music that will enhance the mood and make you become soul junkies.
It was this past spring when my brother introduced me to E.B Sollis. I got his number from my brother with the message saying “tell him you’re down to play with his band when you come out here.” I started talking to the man himself a couple days later when I told him they had some “sick tunes.” He replied, “thanks mang, your bro tells me you’re quite the hunk with an axe,” (yes, we talk like that.) From there, the ball started rolling. We became friends on facebook and from there, I got exposed into the world of a NY rockstar.
We met up later when I went to his apartment with my brother. There was Sollis and the rest of them chillen on the couches, the smell of cigarettes filled the room, a couple beer bottles, an ash tray, and a few lighters rested on the glass table by the couch and there were posters and photographs. I went to get a drink and the fridge had a few song lyrics written on stickies with polaroids and funny magnets. I thought “this is the life.” “Yo Ry,” Sollis said, “you know D-Bo went to Berklee too.” “You got in?” he asked. I told him it was the 5 week summer program I got accepted to, “Gotta love Boston man, I’m from there, just keep in mind Berklee ladies are fast, a little crazy, but oh so sweet.” Long hair and a silk long sleeve shirt made him look like somewhat of a Jesus figure, but nevertheless, he was one of the 5 characters that made up the band. Sollis, D-Bo, there’s Ryan the “pianist” as he likes to be referred to. Though he play’s keyboard like a man possessed, he calls himself, “a fxckin piano player.” Reason: “because I got straight class bro.” Chris “The monster” plays bass and Erik shreds along on the guitar. Sollis had a white Les Paul with the word “SOLLIS” written across the body and Erik had his Gibson SG by his side. They asked what I played, I pulled out the Fender Stratocaster I had in my case, “damnnnnn, someone must get the girlies huh?”-Erik.
02-10-2011;War has been declared in the Upper wings of the girls dorm in Ojai Valley School. All girl dormers, take note.
I am currently engaged in a war. A video war that is.
Last night, my friend Madisen Demery and her roommate Joanna Degroof pulled my roommate and I out of our room after study hall into their room. They opened their laptops to show us a video of them dancing to Hannah Montana‘s Party in the U.S.A (click to watch the actual music video). My roommate and I were not impressed. However, they were smiling, enjoying themselves. What they didn’t know was that they had informally declared war with their amateur video.
My roommate and I split from the two girls, and two crews had formed. A music video battle had begun. We ran into the rooms, dressed up as ridiculously as we could with huge necklaces, matching white hats, and nerd glasses, and danced to the song, I believe in Miracles by Hot Chocolate (click on link to watch the video).
We tore apart our dresser and found matching white tee’s (cuz we are so G dawg) and wrote on them. At this moment, I believe that we will win. We will make the best music videos and win this war.
Today I can honestly say I rapped the first freestyle of mine that I can fully appreciate. No “da da da’s,” no pointless phrases, just pure and utter beauty. When I was done with the first verse, I leaned back into my chair, looked up at my one man audience and waited for a reply. He looked at me and said, “Wow. that was good. I mean like I’d buy that song. I’m serious” When I heard that I smiled.
I’ve wanted to be a rapper for almost as long as I’ve liked rap music, which, as it would happen, is only a couple of years. Now I know, I know, everyone wants to be a rapper, but when you think about it, how many “aspiring rappers” will actually take the steps they need to in order to become one. If I had to guess, I’d say less than 15 percent. The rest, that less than 15%, have to have a lot of luck.
Well, I don’t know if actually becoming a rapper is in my cards, or if it’ll just sort of die off, but for the time being, it’s a real goal. Now I’m betting you’re wondering how spitting one good freestyle validates anything, and in the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t. But for the moment, it’s proof that, yes, I can in fact create a song that I’m proud of.
Not to say this is my first song, because it isn’t in the slightest. Nor is it to say that I haven’t made verses that I’ve been proud of before (I’ve made at least a few that I would use in a song and be proud of). It’s more about the idea that this one’s for real, which basically means I’d put it on an album and feel confident showcasing it as a single.
I smile over my left shoulder at my friend who is hunched over his bass guitar, creating a progression we had only dreamed of. He stops for a moment after letting the last E note ring out from the depth of his instrument. Glancing up at me quickly, a huge smiles envelops both of our faces and we know: We’ve got it.
Mackin playing bass during a soundcheck.
I quickly put my guitar down on the stand next to the amplifier I was sitting on and dive for the open notebook and pen that are lying on the floor.
“What was the progression you just did, Mackin?” I ask, my eyes gleaming with excitement.
“E, E, G, A and on the fourth I added the high D,” He said, playing the notes as he dictated them for me.
“Brilliant,” I tell him, sitting down with the paper in front of me, “I’ve got all the lyrics down, should we take it from the top?”
“Absolutely,” he says, placing my microphone in front of me before he grabs his own.
For months now there has been a quiet, subtle battle going on between female rappers Nicki Minaj and Lil Kim. But just recently it has turned into a dirty fight in lyrics.
Lil Kim has been a successful rapper for over 10 years while Nicki Minaj is just breaking into the business. Lil Kim has noticed Nicki Minaj dissing her in a few songs such as “Hoodstars” and “Roman’s Revenge,” but has chosen to ignore it and be the bigger person. Lil’ Kim thinks that Nicki Minaj is copying her look and attempting to steal her fame which I agree with.
It wasn’t until “Roman’s Revenge” came out and Nicki Minaj called out Kim’s name in a song that Kim fought back. Nicki Minaj had an interview about her song and when asked if she meant to call Kim out, she denied it and acted very “fake”. She went on to apologize in case she might have made it seem like she was speaking negatively of Kim. Little did she know that this would start a fire.
When Lil Kim fights, she doesn’t play around. In response to Nicki Minaj’s disses, Kim made a song called “Black Friday”, which is a knock in itself on Nicki Minaj’s album entitled “Pink Friday.”
Lil Kim starts this song with the interview in which Nicki Minaj speaks out on the battle. The audio is cut off and Lil Kim starts the song by yelling “Shut the f–k up b—h”. Kim goes on to rap
Shut the f-ck up
Who the f-ck want war
FedEx beef straight to your front door
It’ll be a murder scene
I’m turning Pink Friday to Friday the 13th
Aight you Lil Kim clone clown
all this buffoonery, the shit stops now
time for you to lay down, I’m sick of the fraud
I put hands on this bitch like a spa massage
we all know your last name is what got you a job
you use to put together gimmicks something like a collage
since you putting on a show, you gon’ get the appaulse
clap clap, lift your frame like a f-cking garage, yeah
this hood sh-t you and Drake ain’t built for
this the same sh*t the other bitch almost got killed for
I’m still counting what hardcore generated
bet my sh-t keeps spinning like it’s syndicated
corny broad I’ll you bloody like you menstruated
your hot air ass bitch should have been deflated
this aint a championship fight I’ve been the greatest
see the fact is, what you doing I did it
lames trying to clone my style, run with it
thats cool, I was the first one with it
you deluded kim wannabe you just hate to admit it
I’m the Blueprint you aint nothing brand new
check ya posters and videos, you’ll always be number 2
I seen ‘em come, I seen go, I still remain
sweety, you going on your 14th minute of fame
I’m over 10 years strong still running the game
cut the comparisons, I’m in the legendary lane
fighting for ya spot, y’all please, I’m solidified
with my hands tied, you couldn’t beat me if you bitches tried
either you high, or sipping that sh-t Wayne on
I get top dollar for whatever my name on
go stick your head in a tornado, brainstorm
I drop bombs, FLex, Napalm
black and yellow, will pull up in your ghetto
Giuseppe’s when I step out, posted up in stilettos
p-ssy so pink like my kitty saying hello
if I whistle, they’ll pistol whip you in all five borough’s
I’m in Brooklyn, I’ll be everywhere comfortably
who pumped you and told you to come rump with me
you the type to run your mouth and then run from me
I’m poppin’ off in your hood with no company
come on, Queens aint showing you no love
I was there the other night poppin’ bottles with the thugs
you like Washington Heff(?) I’m Benjy.
You got a buzz right now, an’ I had a frenzy
oh yeah, welcome to the fam’, Fendi
you need to stop, you’re not hot, you’re a burning match
that means the end is near soon, copy that
oh I see, they really got you gassed like
I’mma think of the past
better slow down dummy, you bout to crash
stink p-ssy hoe, I’m giving you a bath
thermometer in hand and I’m coming for your ass
who you think you getting past
I see right through you, you’re whole sh-t is made of glass
[Nicki Minaj]
You see right through me
How do you do that sh…
[Lil Kim]
I draw back, I’m a Brooklyn thorough bred bitch
rep for my borough bitch
never been the type to have beef and try to settle sh-t
I ride out till the wheels fall off
and my n-ggas squeeze til the last shell go off
f-ck ya whole team, all I see is a bunch of weirdo’s
you’s a airhead bitch, scarecrow
haha, aint nothing old but my money bitch
hahaha, this is grown liquid assests
Benjamin’s my daddy you Young Money bastards
you and Diddy, sorry bunch of swagger jackers
I mothered you hoes, I should claim you on my income tax
Bobby Fischer in the flesh, taught by the great
so on my next move, I’m yelling checkmate
I smell a massacre
Charles Manson you don’t stand a chance with her
Jeffrey Dahmer you looking like lunch to me
I’m bout to kill all you bitches like Ted Bundy
leave you’re whole head red like Peg Bundy
you’re hilarious, thanks for all the laughs
you’re garbage so I’m taking out the trash
you sh-t on me, come on baby girl
ain’t enough ass shots in the World
you’re a nuisance, you porbably steal my new sh-t
but you could never f-ck with me so chuck it up, Deuces
all around the World I ball like a ball team
I stack chips, call me Mr’s Rosteam
tricks is for kids, silly rabbit, your my offspring
Kim more anticipated than a Lebron ring…
The music festival, Coachella, has just released its tentative list of performers.
It’s big news in the music world. The concert that has now been going on for nine years and has hosted the most famous artists including Pearl Jam and Rage Against the Machine.
In the hot and dry Indio, California, the concert lasts a total of three days each year with at least 20 artists playing on one given day. Thousands of people of all ages flock from across the country to see the spectacle and believe me it’s worth seeing.
Personally, I have never attended the concert, but I have had dozens of friends who have. I haven’t heard a single bad review. Although I only found out about the concert three years ago, there hasn’t been a year where I wish I couldn’t have gone. Hopefully this year will be the first.
OVS Journalism Blog 
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