Q&A with JENNY LEE LINDBERG of WARPAINT Talks New Solo Album: right on!

On December 11th, jennylee – Jenny Lee Lindberg, also of Warpaint released her debut solo album, right on! via Rough Trade Records. On her musical evolution, Lindberg explains,

“My love has always been movement – dance – and it dawned on me one day, how cool would it be if I could make music to move to?!? So I started playing bass at age 19; that seemed like the most obvious choice.”

Evidenced in her locked-in bass grooves with Warpaint, this focus on movement is even more obvious throughout her rhythm-forward solo effort. With Warpaint still very much active, having released new tracks earlier this year and with upcoming festival shows this fall, Lindberg has been constantly writing and making music both with the band and for her solo project for some time.

“During the making of [Warpaint’s second album], I started writing songs for what would be my solo record.” she explains. “After we were through touring [for the album], we had a huge chunk of time so I started demo-ing in my home studio.”

Lindberg took her time, ensuring she had the physical and mental space to understand exactly what she wanted to create. Most of the record was written over the course of a year, but some of the songs had been percolating for much longer.

Keeping a sense of wonder around her new ideas was key. “I wanted it to sound raw and elemental. The record reminds me of my youth.” Lindberg co-produced the album with Norm Block, a longtime friend and collaborator, who also plays drums in her touring band.

From the staccato bass licks on disco anthem “boom boom,” the abstract EVOL-era Sonic Youth guitars on album opener “blind,” to the relentless groove and desert-yelped percussive vocals of “riot,” ‘right on!’ is an intensely personal record that’s also dripping with club sweat; both oddly intimate and dancefloor-ready; and more than anything, an immediate and earthly portrait of a musician feeling herself anew.

All Access Music writer, Nicole DeRosa had a chance to catch up with Jenny Lee to talk more about righton!, inspirations, and everything in between!  Enjoy their chat below:

Hi Jenny! How are you today? What’s on the agenda today besides our interview?

Hey Nicole! I am driving back from Vegas!!! I had to go pick up my babe, Ludo, from my best friends house. I like him to be ultra comfy when I leave town.

So, first things first, you will be releasing your debut solo album, right on! (co-produced by Norm Block) under the name jennylee via Rough Trade this December. On the album, you are joined by Block, Dan Elkan (Broken Bells, Them Hills), Warpaint’s Stella Mozgawa, and more. What did you learn between your work with Warpaint, collaborations and playing live, that you felt you wanted to infuse into your solo work?

All I wanted with this record was to have fun, to reach beyond the boundaries I have constantly created for myself over the years, to not get too heady about things, and to make music I loved. I believe I have successfully accomplished all of the above!

For those that are not as familiar with WARPAINT and your music, how did you get your start? Who or what was the catalyst for you to want to live the life of a musical gypsy?

I’m the kind of girl who likes to take it one day at a time.  I don’t think I ever thought we would travel the world so many times, when we started playing with one another. I think what we focused on in the beginning was honing in our craft, and learning how to speak another language together…our own language really. And with that on the daily agenda , our plates were full and it was hard to see past that day of work.. at least for me. I like to take it one thing at a time, or I’ll get overwhelmed, and go crazy.. well crazier.. hahaha 😉

Over the years, you have worked with so many talented artists including  Red Hot Chili Peppers;  John Frusciante, Josh Klinghoffer, and producer / engineers; Flood and Nigel Godrich to name a few. Who would you love to collaborate with next?

Nile Rodgers!!!  And to be honest, I would collaborate with any of those peeps again and again!

Who are your inspirations (film, music, art, etc.) that inspire you?

Ahhhhhh.. this question.. its always changing…it could be from the clerk at the store, to a song on the radio, to a color in the sky, … but if i had to pick one.. I love movement.. dance… I like to move, and I like to make people move. That is probably the most important thing to me when making music, but I also love to paint, and sew, and I gather inspiration from the first things I mentioned, well, those are just to name a few… Sorry, if I answered this question all crazy like…it maybe a little confusing, but I trust you will catch what I am throwin’ down. 😉

Nowadays, everything is so instant where you just press a button and it’s yours ala Spotify, Soundcloud, iTunes etc. What was the first album you had to save up your own money and buy yourself?

Oh dear…there were a few…in 6th grade, some of the first albums I bought with my own money, I believe were…. Steve Miller Band’s Greatest Hits, Eagles Greatest Hits, Beatles – Let It Be and Grateful Dead’s Greatest Hits. It was a 6th grade summer phase and the greatest hits were the jam… haha.. Amazing! I forgot about that!

What was the first song you fell in love with and why?

I was 3.5 years old and Starship’s “We Built This City” because it made me feel super happy and excited! I think I felt a thrill for the first time and everyone around me was going nuts… it was contagious!

What artists or bands are in current rotation for you, Jenny?

Art of Noise, Bee Gees, Caribou, Depeche Mode, Kraftwerk , Siouxie, Donna Summers, Carly Simon, Enya, Eurythmics, Fingerprints, Outhud, Tears For Fears, Sinead O’Connor, Sonya Spence……Sea and Cake.

Describe your perfect day.

Doing whatever I want 😉

Warpaint: Jenny Lee Lindberg + Emily Kokal +Theresa Wayman, + Stella Mozgawa

What’s on tap next for you Jenny? What are you most excited about for this year?

I cant wait to tour my album, finish Warpaint’s third album, paint, hang with my dog, take some trips of leisure and have adventures…and be in the damn moment!!! Thank you!!! Lots of love!

To keep up with JENNY LEE , visit her website HERE and Twitter .

To keep up with WARPAINT , visit them HERE .