Warpaint's Theresa Wayman: Five Essential Nirvana Songs
Warpaint's Theresa Wayman (courtesy of the artist, PR)
[January 2019 update: With a record contract dated January 1, 1989 (even though the band really signed in June; the contract was backdated), Nirvana became the first band on Sub Pop, which marked its 30th anniversary last year, to sign a written agreement with the label. They released Bleach on June 15 of that year, produced for a mere $600. As for Theresa Wayman, in 2018 she released her first solo album, LoveLaws, as TT, touring behind the album too. Wayman and her Warpaint bandmates haven't released an album since 2016's Heads Up.]
Guitarist and singer Theresa Wayman of the dynamic Los Angeles rock quartet Warpaint was not quite 14 when Nirvana's Kurt Cobain passed away, but the trio made a lasting impact on what she calls "the holy grail of crossover balance." In fact, Wayman and her Warpaint bandmates owe a small songwriting debt to Nirvana — their single "Undertow," from 2010's The Fool, was born as they were contemplating covering "Polly" from Nevermind.
Wayman, Jenny Lee Lindberg, Emily Kokal and Stella Mozgawa release their third album, Heads Up, on September 23, a collection of shimmering tracks like "New Song" and "So Good." Their release date falls a day before the 25th anniversary of the release of Nirvana's Nevermind and that coincidence, and Warpaint's longtime admiration for Cobain, Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic, inspired FUV to reach out to Wayman and ask if she'd write about her "Five Essential Nirvana Songs."
Warpaint's Theresa Wayman: Five Essential Nirvana Songs:
"Heart-Shaped Box," In Utero
I think it's essential because I see it as a direct follow-up to "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and the huge songs that were on Nevermind. It's a hard thing to do, to do it again. But they do. Difficult to write songs that are so immediate and also hold true to integrity of the music, especially when coming from a punk background. I don't come from punk, but I come from the anti-establishment in my own way and I know how hard it can be to make sense to many while also making sense to yourself. Find the holy grail of crossover balance.
"Where Did You Sleep Last Night?" MTV Unplugged in New York
Cover of a Lead Belly song, actually an old traditional ["In The Pines"], that [Kurt] made more known. It's from the MTV Unplugged album which was the most influential Nirvana album for me. The only one I listened to repeatedly. That song is so packed with emotion. When he busts into "my girl my girl, don't lie to me..." — holy s**t. So intense and he means it. He owned that song
"Something in the Way," Nevermind
That line was probably taken from the Beatles' song "Something." Love the tone of this song. It's always appealed to my sensitive emo self. When I was younger I wasn't really into the loud, thrashy stuff as much. I like it a lot now, which is sort of the reverse of how people usually are, less tolerant of noise (more subdued) as they get older. And the story of how it was recorded always creates a relatable visual. Love the departure from their own norms too, something they've always seemed to do which is what set them apart from their genre — punk. "Polly" was like that too —acoustic and vocal. And "About a Girl" — a jangly guitar pop song.
"Come As You Are," Nevermind
That riff is incredible. Always and forever, even though it's clearly borrowed from the Killing Joke song "Eighties." Anyway it's one of my favorite Nirvana songs. The tones and the guitar work and perfect melodies and perfect chord changes. Kurt was so intricate with his guitars and he's one of the best songwriters ever.
"Endless, Nameless," Nevermind [secret track]
Essential in order to hear the other side of this band. The experimental excellence of the noises and sounds they made sounds like this song was recorded live. I feel like I'm in the room with them and in their minds as well, playing around and not adhering to a standard structure. I feel like if an artist doesn't do that then their music can become very watered down and redundant. Experimentation is needed in order to infuse simplicity, tried and true with something new and different and inspired.
- Theresa Wayman of Warpaint
September 2016
