The Warning Interview: You Won’t Believe What Dany and Pau from The Warning Just Revealed!

Interview with Dany and Pau from The Warning.

Shortly before the release of their latest full-length studio album, Keep Me Fed, which will be released via LAVA and Republic Records on June 28, 2024, the Mexico-born sister rock trio -Daniela “Dany” [guitar, lead vocals, piano], Paulina “Pau” [drums, vocals, piano], and Alejandra “Ale” Villarreal [bass, piano, backing vocals]- hopped over a Zoom call with media to talk about their new album, their upcoming North American tour, being sisters in a rock band, and much more.

The Warning, a Mexican sister rock trio, is featured in this press image.

What is the reason behind the title of your latest album, Keep Me Fed?

Pau: So Keep Me Fed discusses the urge that we all have to be fed, whether through entertainment on social media or through everything we consume, and how we all contribute to this cycle. How we feed certain things to our fans and followers, how we feed off of what other people do, and how we’re caught in a never-ending cycle.

You’re scheduled to play several events this summer, including Mad Cool Festival, Aftershock, and Rocklahoma. Have you got any pre-show rituals?

Dany: We stretch a lot because we jump and move so much. I need to stretch my neck. If not, I will definitely be unable to move the next day due to the headbanging. But I do not believe we have a specific ritual.

Pau: We have one ritual. We all just like to hold hands. My mother says a tiny little prayer. And we all expressed our intentions, such as a prayer. We say the number of the show we’re on and just put it into the universe and be appreciative, and then we just go into the performance.

How does it feel to achieve rock ‘n’ roll popularity at such a young age, and how do you approach music differently now that you’ve been in the industry for a while?

Pau: Well, I don’t think we realized what was going on when we first started. We were just riding the wave of wonderful fortune that had occurred.

Dany: I’m not sure if you would even call it famous. We were certainly receiving a lot of attention that we were not used to, especially given our early age. We just go step by step. And you know, we’re thankful that we got to do this together. I’m not sure how I’d have done it if it was just me.

Pau: And to have had the experience of the last ten years. I believe it enables us to accomplish our jobs as effectively as possible. It definitely helped us lay the groundwork for what we intend to do. And now that we have fresh prospects for expansion, we believe we have the necessary experience, which is excellent. It’s a huge blessing to have had all of those experiences and to be able to continue having them for another ten years.

How does it feel to have collaborated or played with so many legendary rock bands, such as Metallica and The Pretty Reckless?

Dany: Amazing. We are quite grateful for all of those opportunities. We’re grateful to everyone who looked at our project and wanted to provide us a platform to grow.

Pau: It simply means the world.

What was it like to collaborate with writers outside of your team on this new album?

Dany: It was really new since writing with a complete stranger and having to nail a song in one day is a very unique experience. And English isn’t our first language. We’re used to working creatively between ourselves in Spanish, so going to work with someone you don’t know and who doesn’t speak Spanish, which is what you’re used to, takes some adjustment.

Pau: However, it requires you to be extremely clear about what you want to do. Like, you have to be secure in your beliefs and definitely open to what other people have to say, but at the end of the day, it’s a warning song. So, how do we want The Warning to sound on this album? We had to be extremely clear about this from the beginning.

As an all-female rock band, how has it been to pursue music in an industry dominated by men?

Pau: I feel like, as women, we don’t often sit down and think about it, like, “Oh my god, we’re the only women here.” It’s not something we discuss or write about. But, more than anything, it is simply a part of our daily lives. And we’ve been living it for 10 years. So, above all, they have low expectations. They expect a gimmick, and they do not expect women to perform well on these stages. So it’s really our goal every time we step on these stages to demonstrate what we do musically and, hopefully, change people’s minds. Over the years, it’s been like chipping away at rock, and things have gradually improved, such that the women’s restrooms used to be our private bathrooms every time we attended a festival. It’s no longer a private restroom, but it’s still really wonderful to behold. As a result, more doors are being opened and new opportunities are being created. And to be a part of that transformation, which will also open those doors. It’s an honour to be able to do that with our music.

How is Keep Me Fed different from your prior releases?

Dany: Oh, this is very different. I feel like we’ve grown a lot in recent years. We began touring and had the opportunity to explore a wide range of activities and meet a diverse range of people. And our last record was similar to a pandemic album. We had all the time in the world to be creative and nitpick, but this new record is the polar opposite. In between tours, a rather crazy schedule, similar to writing with others. We prefer to put everything we haven’t done throughout our entire careers into one CD. And challenged ourselves musically to like get that step farther…

Pau: …Up higher. Yeah, just take the next step.

Dany: We adore it. We love what it means to us. This new age of The Warning and this new sound that we developed within ourselves allows each song to feel like us while also offering unique musical experiences.

What was the motivation and thought process behind “Automatic Sun,” in particular?

Pau: “Automatic Sun” was the final song we composed for the album, and it was a really chaotic process. We were exhausted and had no idea what we wanted to compose or sing about, but it evolved into this thing where we had the phrase “automatic sun,” and we based the entire song on that.

“Automatic Sun” is about missing someone, needing their energy, and being drawn to the gravitational pull they have on you. And it’s a pretty enjoyable song. It’s my favorite song on the album, and now that we’re doing it live, it’s clear that you connect so well with people. You can sense the enthusiasm, and it’s a lot of fun to play.

How did you guys write your new album, Keep Me Fed, while on tour, compared to your first album, Error?

Pau: I felt like while we were doing Error, because of the epidemic, it was like a small echo chamber. It was always our opinions, and we, like this team, had been listening to this music all the time, for quite some time. We worked with fresh folks every day on this record. We were meeting new people with various experiences, preferences, and cultures, which opened up so many possibilities for what we could accomplish with our music. I feel like you can hear it in every song, the different influences that each individual had and how we incorporated that into ourselves, how it still sounds like The Warning but is something fresh. I believe that is what music is about. It’s about growing and discovering new things, and to have done it during such a stressful time, between tours, when we were exhausted, yet we pushed through. We would write three songs, record them, then write more before leaving for the tour. I recorded drums for the entire album in a day and a half. We had no time to do anything, so we just sort of made it work. It really captures what we were experiencing at the moment.

Dany: I believe the music reflects this, as it is both energetic and chaotic. So it definitely pushed us to a different type of experience.

What was the most memorable song produced or recorded on the last two albums?

Dany: [laughs]. I’m trying to remember everything we went through. You know, I guess it’s “Automatic Sun” since I recall getting stuck…Oh no! Do you know what I actually remember? We were stuck with the lyrics when creating “MORE”. We really wanted to design something impactful, but we were utterly out of ideas. We all went to the studio’s parking lot and sung Shakira songs. We just sang in the parking lot and then went back, and the song came out.

Pau: Thanks, Shakira!

What was it like creating the music video for “Qué Más Quieres,” and who was the creative mind behind it?

Dany: It arose from the creative mind of Paulina Villarreal Vélez.

Pau: I’m incredibly excited to announce that I co-directed this video. And this was my little brainchild, and it was my first time trying something like this. I’m delighted that you enjoyed it since I adore it. You can tell it was my idea because everything is pink, cheerful, and over the top, which is just my style. It had a lot of fun making this music video, from designing it all the way through to attending all of the direction art meetings and production meetings, as well as doing the scouting. However, I am also recording the video and directing my sisters on how to act, among other things. It was just so much fun. It was something we had never done before, acting and having such a powerful story as the major focus of the film, but it was a lot of fun.

Dany: And you’re really good at saying action! And just speaking very loudly [laughs].

Pau: Cut! I enjoyed it.

How do you believe the family component of your band influences your creative process and general group dynamics?

Dany: Oh, this is very crucial. I believe that encapsulates who we are as a band. The family aspect is really essential, not only for us as sisters, but for our entire team.

Pau: It’s because we truly have the environment to be like a family all of the time. Because we work together as sisters, but our parents also work with us and travel with us, so everyone who joins our team becomes like a large family, but it actually impacts everything we do, including how we work creatively. We collaborate constructively as sisters. I mean, I believe that if we were in a band and not sisters, we would sugarcoat things a lot more. For example, I would communicate with people in a much more pleasant manner. I’m not sure how you express it in English, but they talk to their coworkers in a friendlier way than you would to your siblings.

What are you most looking forward to on your upcoming North America tour this fall?

Pau: Ooooo, gas stations! I’m very happy to stop at a Love’s because we’ve been traveling across Europe a lot. No offense, Europe, but those petrol stations are not it. No, they do not have nice snacks. They do not… I do not like it. I like it when we’re touring the United States and make a stop. I always get off the bus. But in Europe, I never do that. This is a waste of time. So I’m quite excited because they sell bandanas, hats, ugly t-shirts, and other items like that. I love it! I adore Love’s.

Dany: I adore how passionate you are [Laughs]. Buc-ees exist as well. Oh my God, Buc-ees are the best thing. Aside from petrol stations, we’re releasing new music and performing it for the first time in the United States. So we’re excited about that.

Are there any other musical influences that may surprise people?

Pau mentions K-pop… K-pop has a significant influence on what we do. They have insane melodies and are continually stepping outside the box and trying new things. And I believe that as a musician, you should always be trying new things. That has left me feeling really inspired.

Dany: I believe that listening to music that is not in our native tongue allows us to pay more attention to the subtleties of melodies and instruments.

Is there a line from the song “Burnout” that you’re particularly proud of?

Pau: Yeah… “You plan your demolition with a list of self-inflictions.”

Which tracks are you most thrilled for fans to hear on Keep Me Fed?

Dany: I am excited for everyone to hear “Apologize.”

Pau: I’m happy for them to hear “Sharks.” I feel like some people are going to be like, “Oh, they went a little bit too pop on this one.” They’re going to hear “Sharks” and be like, “Oop, well, I was wrong.”

Dany: Without a certain, the unreleased songs are the heaviest.

What advice would you provide to a young girl who is interested in learning to play an instrument or getting into music?

Pau: You must have confidence in yourself. I feel like this occasionally, and I’m not even going to put it in a small music industry box. With everything, we can be conditioned to be afraid to speak up about things we know. Like, sometimes I’m in soundchecks and I’m terrified to tell the engineer from the festival that I can’t hear myself in my in ears. Why wouldn’t I do that? It is literally part of both my and their work. That’s something I can do. Nothing is going to happen. So it’s all about understanding where you are and being confident in your knowledge. Obviously, you must be willing to learn and grow, as well as have the confidence and security to accomplish things and surround yourself with people who will look after you.

I believe people may be incredibly… Mean is a terrible way to put it, but people will try to take advantage of almost anything, especially in the music industry. So we surrounded ourselves with folks who treated us like family and cared for us as if we were their own children. As if they truly look out for us. It’s crucial to have people around you who will push you like parents would push you, but also who would protect you as parents would protect you.

How has being up in Mexico influenced the music you create?

Pau: I believe that everyone’s childhood influences what they do and who they are as individuals, and that this immediately translates into our music. And, once again, we were really fortunate to reside in a place with such a thriving music culture, where music is played all the time and with great enthusiasm. Mexico is a very passionate culture in general, but in music, you can just feel it, that warmth. So that warmth was always really welcoming, and to have grown up with that and be able to incorporate it into your music and share it, of course, has had an affect on us.

Dany:…Maybe in ways we don’t even understand.

Life and Romance”: The three warning sisters and their boy friends

In the high-voltage world of rock music, The Warning—made up of the fierce Villareal sisters, Daniela, Paulina, and Alejandra—are a global phenomenon. With thunderous riffs, haunting harmonies, and lyrics that rip straight from the soul, they’ve stormed stages across continents. But behind the fame and the flash is a story less known: a tale of growing up, falling in love, and learning how to balance the pull of music with the push of the heart.

1. The Fire and the Calm
Daniela, the eldest, with her blazing guitar solos and commanding voice, had always seemed untouchable. Focused. Composed. But during the band’s South American tour in Buenos Aires, she met Luca, a quiet, tattooed sound engineer with a love for vintage amps and 19th-century poetry. He was her opposite in every way—reserved, cerebral, unassuming. Yet it was during a midnight soundcheck, when he whispered a Neruda line while fixing her pedal board, that something sparked.

Their relationship started in silence—vinyl record nights, long walks with no need for words. He understood her music without needing to explain it. For the first time, Dany allowed herself to pause. But fame isn’t patient. As the band’s momentum built, long absences and endless travel strained their bond. There were fights, long-distance tears, and questions about priorities. But Luca never asked her to choose. Instead, he sent her handwritten letters—one for each city she visited—reminding her, “I don’t need to be next to you to hear you. I just need to know you’re playing.”

2. Rhythms and Rebellion
Paulina, the powerhouse drummer with thunder in her arms and poetry in her voice, was the wild heart of the band. Known for her intense energy and emotionally raw vocals, she rarely let anyone get too close—until Elián, a rebellious punk photographer, barged into her life during a video shoot in Mexico City.

He wasn’t supposed to be on set. He had snuck in with a friend and started snapping uninvited candids of the band. While security chased him off, Pau was the only one who found the images stunning. She tracked him down through Instagram and insisted he come back to shoot their next gig. He agreed—on one condition: no posed shots. “Real music deserves real moments,” he said.

They were volatile from the start—fiery debates about art, late-night motorcycle rides through neon-lit streets, and spur-of-the-moment tattoos. Elián challenged her, made her mad, made her laugh like no one else. But their connection was deeper than thrill. In him, Pau saw someone who also hid pain behind rebellion. They bonded over family scars, artistic insecurity, and the weight of expectations.

But two storms rarely settle easily. A harsh argument before a European tour almost ended things. Elián accused her of building walls, and Pau accused him of always looking for an exit. After weeks of silence, he sent her a single image: a candid shot of her mid-drum solo, sweat and tears on her face, passion etched in every muscle. On the back, he’d written: “Even chaos has a heartbeat. Mine is you.”

3. Echoes and Innocence
Alejandra, the bassist and the youngest, was the quiet observer, the grounding force. Shy offstage but magnetic on it, she was the emotional glue of the band. While her sisters drew the spotlight, Ale watched the world with wide, thoughtful eyes. She met Noah, a Canadian music journalist, during a backstage interview in Montreal. He was kind, slightly nerdy, and genuinely interested in the band—not just their sound but their stories.

Their bond formed slowly, sweetly. Late-night talks about favorite books, indie bands, and the loneliness of touring. He never rushed her. For a while, they kept their growing affection private—secret handholds, shared coffees, small smiles during press events. Ale, always cautious, worried about letting the world in.

But when Noah published a heartfelt article titled “The Bass Line Between Us: Loving a Star from the Shadows,” everything changed. It was personal, beautiful, and brave. Some fans cheered. Others criticized. Ale was overwhelmed. She pulled back, afraid her privacy was gone forever.

Noah apologized, but told her: “I wasn’t writing about the star. I was writing about the girl who listens to storms and plays her soul through strings.” Ale realized that love, like music, sometimes had to risk exposure to be heard.

4. Between Stages and Stillness
As the band rocketed to new heights—playing stadiums, recording new albums, and gracing magazine covers—the sisters faced the challenge of weaving love into lives that moved at the speed of sound. But they had each other, and now, they had partners who weren’t trying to compete with the music—they were learning to dance with it.

There were shared dinners on rooftops between gigs, Zoom calls across time zones, surprise appearances at concerts, and moments where one would silently wait in the wings, just to see them shine. Love didn’t dim the band’s fire. It added harmony.

5. A Love Letter to Balance
For Dany, Pau, and Ale, romance wasn’t a break from their artistry—it became part of it. Each relationship gave them something new: courage, reflection, vulnerability, inspiration. They wrote about love in new ways—less fantasy, more truth. Fans noticed. Their next album, “Between Heartbeats,” was raw, romantic, and revolutionary.

The final track, “All the Noise, All the Quiet,” was a soft acoustic ballad featuring voice memos from their boyfriends: a poem from Luca, a laugh from Elián, and a shy “I love you” from Noah. It closed the album with a whisper, not a roar—but it left listeners breathless.

6. Ever After, Ever Changing
Of course, life isn’t a perfect melody. There were still conflicts, compromises, long days apart. But what made it all work was the same thing that made their music great—authenticity, effort, and fearless emotion.

In the end, The Warning didn’t just redefine rock—they redefined what it meant to love while chasing dreams. They taught the world that it’s okay to be loud, messy, complicated, and still open your heart. That life isn’t a love song—it’s an album, and every track matters.

And somewhere backstage, three boyfriends waited—quiet, proud, and forever part of the chorus.

“Life and Romance” is the untold harmony behind the scream of guitars and the slam of drums—a story of real women, real hearts, and the music that binds them.