#honorable mention to MUNA and Niall Horan

[elainemorisi]

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[xdirtyhalox]

An Open Letter to Warpaint and Their Fans

It seems that there are some things that need to be clarified, in the name of integrity & clear communication:

1. Harry Styles’ fans (HSF) were quite excited that Warpaint was opening for Styles during his upcoming 2018 world tour. As is our way, we tend to be extremely supportive of anyone who is involved professionally with Styles & any member of One Direction. As has happened with Steve Aoki, James Corden, Zedd and more, we open our hearts, our family and our pocketbooks to show our respect and appreciation. Warpaint received the same warm welcome.

2. It is due to our general respect and excitement for Warpaint that we were so taken aback, and yes offended, by the remarks in Monday, 3 July, 2017’s interview. Both in context and on their own merit, the comments had an unfortunate condescending air, and (inadvertently or not) a lack of respect or appreciation for HSF as individuals or as a fandom, as well Harry Styles and his music. 

To be written off as “young [unfiltered] ladies” who needed an opportunity to listen to “good” music was both frustrating and heartbreaking. This fandom is made up of a wonderful variety of individuals, a majority of which are female, though well outside of the “young [unfiltered] ladies” moniker, a label that is well known as disparaging and dismissive towards women of any age. 

Furthermore, the insinuation that being a fan of a major artist discredits your musical taste, or means that you need to be educated is frankly insulting. The beauty of our fandom is that we are wildly different – but equally worthy – people. We find love in all sorts of music: indie, rock, blues, soul, country, EDM, R&B, and yes– pop. The same person who loves Harry Styles’ decidedly rock album is the same person who loves Pink Floyd or John Paul White or The White Stripes or Tina Turner, Katy Perry, John Mayer and so on. Being a fan of Harry Styles means you’re organically a fan of Fleetwood Mac, The Rolling Stones, and the up and coming indie artists, including Warpaint. We are diverse in tastes and title, and we are fervently proud of that. To be brushed off due to our love of one artist is simply wrong. The statement was based on many assumptions and logical fallacies. 

The same can be said of needing an indie band to create an opportunity for self-exploration. The lovely thing about a fandom such as ours is that it creates a safe haven to explore many of our intimate or outspoken desires. Have the secret wish to be a singer or play guitar in an all-girl group? Here are thousands to millions of people cheering you on, telling you that you can do it, making connections around the world with other inspired people. We don’t need new opportunities – we’ve made several on our on. And, as previously mentioned, we have such a range of musical tastes that the doors have been opened many, many times. While we certainly appreciate Warpaint’s style and genre, to insinuate that only through their music we will grow is both wrong and absurd. 

Styles himself did not seem to fare better in the perceived eyes of Warpaint. Though certainly glowing at times, there seemed to be a fundamental assumption that Warpaint was more credible and that Styles’ music was lesser somehow. It seemed to be a slap in the face of an artist who obviously respects the band enough to have them on tour. This sickened us as no one wants to see their favorite singer shaded by those he clearly likes. 

3. No other opening act of Harry Styles’ upcoming tours has felt the need to comment openly or negatively about Harry Styles or HSF. Of the four artists, only Kacey Musgraves and Leon Bridges have name recognition to the general public. Of the four artists, only Kacey Musgraves is listed outside the indie label (even Leon Bridges, playing significantly different music, is still considered an insider’s artist, a key component to ‘indie status’). Yet of the four artists, only Warpaint felt it necessary to comment publicly in any forum in any way that can be perceived as negative, disparaging or inappropriate. Muna is a phenomenally wondering indie-dark pop band known for its independence and unwavering allegiance to its beliefs. Bridges is a man who has never shied away from his roots or his view of music, truth, and accountability. Musgraves is lauded in her genre, a seemingly dark horse who remains authentic and unbending to the expectations of her chosen genre. None of them sound anything like Harry Styles. None of them have the worldwide success or popularity that Harry Styles have. They have received the same questions and interview requests Warpaint has, the same eyebrow raised that Warpaint was apparently responding to. Yet none of them have felt the need to say anything but positive things, if anything at all. By opening their mouths, Warpaint opened the door to interpretation and, most likely unknowingly and unwillingly, joined the chorus of lesser, those who put others down in order to lift themselves up or remain afloat at their current standing. It was a cheap shot, even if made with the best intentions. 

4. Our fandom has a fairly tough skin. After seven years in the game, it is safe to say that we’ve been through quite a lot, and have been called many, many things. While it certainly irks us, we’ve learned to brush it off due to the overwhelming appreciation and vocal respect given by Harry Styles (as well as Niall Horan, Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson).

The issue with Warpaint’s comments is that we don’t expect such sharp and unsubstantiated, belittling claims from inside the house. There is a true and understandable hurt that comes from backing a band and showing them love, only to receive a glib brush-off in the name of “musical integrity.” There is true and understandable hurt that comes from giving a band an opportunity to operate authentically on an entirely different, and wider platform, and having that band shade or snub him, again in the name of “musical integrity.” We had open arms and felt summarily rejected.

This could have all been a simple mistake. People misspeak and tempers flare. However, since the fall out, there has been no attempt on Warpaint’s part to clarify their statements, or to reach out to fans and assure them that they meant no harm. Instead, there was some likes of tweets that painted us as silly and dramatic, and Warpaint as some sort of victim.

Let this be explicitly clear: Warpaint are not victims of anything except their own blunder. Actions have consequences. It is fairly clear that they have no plan to clarify or mollify, which supports the superiority narrative that the interview spun. 

5. Fans are absolutely allowed to show their displeasure. In the light of the circumstances, fans are more than in the right to desire a different opener. It has nothing to do with Warpaint’s music, but the perception (that, again, four days later has still not been addressed or corrected) that they feel above us as people and music lovers, and Harry Styles. 

Music is a universal language full of patterns of truth. Concerts are sacred events where people of all walks come together, and, just for a moment, a sliver of a day, forget who they are and become one. There is beauty in that. There is great honor as well. So it is incredibly understandable that people wouldn’t to enter that space with others they feel don’t respect them. You don’t piss on our home and then expect to be invited in warmly. 

Throughout this situation, we have been constantly told to sit down, shut up & enjoy the opportunity to listen to Warpaint. We need not to sit and we need not be silent. And our point is that we will be unable to enjoy Warpaint’s product when they don’t respect us. 

We’ve been told we don’t have a right to complain. We as consumers have the right to complain. At the very end of the day, it’s our money, and we have a right to withhold it if we feel it’s being used against us in some way. “We think you’re silly, but thanks for the money.” No, no thank you. 

(Please note: I am not saying, suggesting or insinuating that Warpaint is only touring with Harry Styles for the money and/or platform. That’s an entirely different conversation, one that I am not engaging in here. I am saying that concert tickets cost money and that money goes to the artists and their teams.)

We’ve been told that there are better, more mature ways to state or displeasure. Yet, at every invitation for suggestions on those better, more mature ways, we’ve been met with dismissals and jeers. 

6. In my years in fandom, I have never seen such contentious and cruel fighting as I have with Warpaint fans. The trolling of our fandom, the remarks about our appearance, weight and size, intelligence, credibility, sanity, taste and more – the hits seem both never-ending and deeply personal. I can certainly understand the need to protect or defend a beloved musician or band; but I do not understand attacking people’s morals and character, and constantly belittling someone. If it makes you feel important, I am sad for you; my importance has always been tied to what sort of positive and lasting impact I’m making on my fellow humans. 

I’m also befuddled by the “They didn’t say that, but we believe it’s true” defense that is coming from Warpaint fans. You believe that Warpaint would never disparage HSF or Styles himself that way, but you believe us to be young, unfiltered, dramatic, unimportant, annoying girls, Styles to be purely pop with no substance or standing? How do those go together? How are we supposed to interpret Warpaint’s words as innocent when their fans are using them as daggers?

7. In Harry Styles’ seven year career, never once have his fans had to defend his actions and/or speech. Never. That should speak for itself. 

8. Harry Styles does not need Warpaint for credibility. This narrative is both ludicrous and unfounded. Harry Styles’ credibility comes from the strength of his music, his character and his own accolades. Harry Styles credibility comes from his reputation and reception. Harry Styles the album was critically lauded for ushering in a new era of rock-centric music. It was acclaimed by countless reputable critics and outlets. And if all that was for naught, Harry Styles’ fans include Ronnie Wood, Elton John, Stevie Nicks and Paul McCartney. No matter what spectrum of the musical landscape you find yourself on, you absolutely cannot discredit the aforementioned legendary artists. Their fervent and vocal support of Harry Styles as a person and a musician speaks volumes and, along with the aforementioned, cement him as a credible and well-respected artist. He and his team chose Warpaint as an opener because of his/their appreciation of the music and what they felt was a great opportunity. 

In conclusion:

No, we aren’t sensitive children with no musical taste or perception of the world around us. You and your band aren’t better than us because you’re indie, and our artist and us aren’t better than you because we’re rock and pop. The level of platform does not denote anything other than popularity, and while we can all disagree, there’s never a place for personal attacks and wounds meant to last. It’s music and it’s beautiful, so let’s allow it to be that way. 

B🌸

[correct-opinions]

The Top 60 Tracks of 2017

Feel free to click on the song titles for a youtube link to the song. Or scroll to the bottom for a Spotify playlist of all 60 songs. Enjoy!

60. Sheer Mag, “Need to Feel Your Love” 

From Need to Feel Your Love

59. London Grammar, “Everyone Else” 

From Truth Is a Beautiful Thing

58. King Krule, “Dum Surfer” 

From The OOZ

57. Julien Baker, “Turn Out the Lights” 

From Turn Out the Lights

56. Liam Gallagher, “Chinatown” 

From As You Were

55. Bruno Mars, “Versace on the Floor” [David Guetta Remix] 

From Versace on the Floor

54. Drake, “Madiba Riddim” 

From More Life

53. The xx, “Replica” 

From I See You

52. Niall Horan, “Flicker” 

From Flicker

51. The National, “The System Only Dreams In Total Darkness” 

From Sleep Well Beast

50. Phoenix, “Fior Di Latte” 

From Ti Amo

49. Future Islands, “Aladdin” 

From The Far Field

48. Post Malone, “rockstar” [ft. 21 Savage] 

From rockstar

47. Toro y Moi, “Labyrinth” 

From Boo Boo

46. Tame Impala, “List of People (To Try and Forget About)” 

From Currents: B-Sides

45. Foxygen, “Follow the Leader” 

From Hang

44. Hundred Waters, “Blanket Me” 

From Communicating

43. Julie Byrne, “Follow My Voice” 

From Not Even Happiness

42. Beach Fossils, “This Year” 

From Somersault

41. Sufjan Stevens, “Mystery of Love” 

From Call Me By Your Name OST

40. Cashmere Cat, “Victoria’s Veil” 

From 9

39. Charlie Puth, “Attention” 

From Voice Notes

38. French Montana, “Unforgettable” [ft. Swae Lee] 

From Jungle Rules

37. Fleet Foxes, “If You Need to, Keep Time On Me” 

From Crack-Up

36. Lorde, “Liability” 

From Melodrama

35. Forest Swords, “War It” 

From Compassion

34. Charly Bliss, “Glitter” 

From Guppy

33. Japanese Breakfast, “Boyish” 

From Soft Sounds from Another Planet

32. The Clientele, “Everyone You Meet” 

From Music for the Age of Miracles

31. Kendrick Lamar, “LOVE.” [ft. Zacari] 

From DAMN.

30. Sigrid, “Plot Twist” 

From Plot Twist

29. Jessie Ware, “Midnight” 

From Glasshouse

28. Charli XCX, “Boys” 

From Boys

27. SZA, “Love Galore” [ft. Travis Scott] 

From Ctrl

26. Sylvan Esso, “The Glow” 

From What Now

25. Jay Som, “The Bus Song” 

From Everybody Works

24. Mac DeMarco, “My Old Man” 

From This Old Dog

23. Charly Bliss, “Percolator” 

From Guppy

22. Charlotte Gainsbourg, “Deadly Valentine” 

From Rest

21. Lana Del Rey, “Cherry” 

From Lust for Life

20. The Japanese House, “Saw You In a Dream” 

From Saw You In a Dream EP

19. Ed Sheeran, “Perfect” 

From ÷

18. MUNA, “Around U” 

From About U

17. Nilüfer Yanya, “Baby Luv” 

From Baby Luv

16. Molly Burch, “Downhearted” 

From Please Be Mine

15. Alvvays, “Dreams Tonite” 

From Antisocialites

14. Lorde, “The Louvre” 

From Melodrama

13. Future, “Mask Off” 

From Future

12. Selena Gomez, “Bad Liar” 

From Bad Liar

11. Big Thief, “Shark Smile” 

From Capacity

10. The War On Drugs, “Strangest Thing” 

From A Deeper Understanding

9. Kehlani, “Advice” 

From SweetSexySavage

8. Novo Amor, “Anchor” 

From Bathing Beach EP

7. Lana Del Rey, “Love” 

From Lust for Life

6. The Divine Comedy, “To the Rescue” 

From Foreverland

5. Lorde, “Homemade Dynamite” [Remix] [ft. Khalid, Post Malone, & SZA] 

From Homemade Dynamite (Remix)

4. MUNA, “I Know A Place” 

From About U

3. Calvin Harris, “Slide” [ft. Frank Ocean & Migos] 

From Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1

2. Drake, “Passionfruit” 

From More Life

1. SZA, “Drew Barrymore” 

From Ctrl

For a full list of all 60 songs, here is a Spotify link. Enjoy!

Honorable Mention:

Florist, “What I Wanted to Hold”

Arcade Fire, “Everything Now”

Portugal. The Man, “Feel It Still”

Zedd, “Stay” [ft. Alessia Cara]

Charli XCX, “Lucky”

Teen Daze, “Rising” [ft. Sound of Ceres]

Kendrick Lamar, “DNA.”

Cashmere Cat, “Europa Pools” [ft. Kacy Hill]

Lana Del Rey, “Get Free”

Taylor Swift, “King of My Heart”

Stars, “We Called It Love”