Emily Camille Kokal (born September 30, 1980) is an American musician from

Chico, California Chico ( ; Spanish for "little") is the most populous city in Butte County, California. Located in the Sacramento Valley region of Northern California, the city had a population of 101,475 in the 2020 census, reflecting an increase from 86,18 ...

. She is best known as the singer and guitarist of the

indie rock Indie rock is a Music subgenre, subgenre of rock music that originated in the United States, United Kingdom and New Zealand from the 1970s to the 1980s. Originally used to describe independent record labels, the term became associated with the mu ...

band Warpaint. Kokal is one of the founding members of the band.

Early life

Kokal was born in

. At age 10, she moved to

Eugene, Oregon Eugene ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is located at the southern end of the Willamette Valley, near the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about east of the Oregon Coast. As of the 2020 United States Census, Eu ...

where she met

Theresa Wayman Theresa Becker Wayman (born June 23, 1980), also known by the stage name TT, is an American musician, singer-songwriter and occasional actress, best known as guitarist and vocalist of the indie rock band Warpaint. Early and personal life The ...

, with whom she would later start Warpaint. The two traveled through Europe together in their late teenage years and lived together in

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * '' ...

and

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...

. At age 19, Kokal met

Jenny Lee Lindberg Jennifer Lee Lindberg (born July 30, 1981) is an American musician, singer-songwriter and record producer, best known as the bassist of the indie rock band Warpaint. In 2015, Lindberg released her first solo album, '' Right On!'', under the name ...

, another founding member of Warpaint, in LA.

Career

Kokal was the lead singer, guitarist and organist for a project called the Little Two's. In 2001, the band self-released their only album, titled ''World War IV''. RF 2806 Warpaint Krists Luhaers-8 (34841452723)

RF 2806 Warpaint Krists Luhaers-8 (34841452723)

In February 2004, Warpaint was formed in Los Angeles, with Kokal singing and playing guitar. As of 2017, Kokal and Warpaint have released three albums and an EP. On the forming of the band, Kokal stated in an interview: "I've always felt this about this band, that it felt blessed. It felt that the right paths were crossing at the right times and the stars were aligned". Kokal has also made guest appearances as a singer, including singing the chorus in the

Red Hot Chili Peppers Red Hot Chili Peppers are an American rock music, rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1983, comprising vocalist Anthony Kiedis, bassist Flea (musician), Flea, drummer Chad Smith, and guitarist John Frusciante. Their music incorporates element ...

' song " Desecration Smile". In 2017, Kokal and bandmate Wayman were voted the "Best Alternative Guitarists in the World Right Now" by ''

MusicRadar MusicRadar is a music website that offers information pertaining to artists and their music. The site features music gear news and reviews, artist interviews and online music and production tutorials. It is owned by British media company Future ...

'' and ''

Total Guitar ''Total Guitar'' is a monthly music magazine based in Bath, the United Kingdom, that has been in circulation since 1994. The magazine is owned by Future plc, who publish many other magazines ranging from drums and video games to technology mag ...

'' readers.

Personal life

Kokal was previously in a relationship with Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist

John Frusciante John Anthony Frusciante (; born March 5, 1970) is an American musician, best known as the guitarist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers across three stints since 1988. He has released 11 solo albums and 7 EPs, ranging in style from acoustic guitar to e ...

. Since 2013, Kokal has been in a relationship with LA-based producer j.franxis, of deafmute and FACIAL, and they have a daughter together.

Discography

;With Warpaint *''

Exquisite Corpse Exquisite corpse (from the original French term ', literally exquisite cadaver), is a method by which a collection of words or images is collectively assembled. Each collaborator adds to a composition in sequence, either by following a rule (e.g. ...

'' EP (2008) *'' The Fool'' (2010) *'' Warpaint'' (2014) *'' Heads Up'' (2016) *''

Radiate Like This ''Radiate Like This'' is the fourth studio album by American indie rock band Warpaint, released on May 6, 2022, through Heirlooms and Virgin Records. It marks their first album in six years, and was announced alongside the release of the song "Ch ...

'' (2022)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kokal, Emily 1980 births Art rock musicians Living people American indie rock musicians Guitarists from Los Angeles Guitarists from Oregon Musicians from Eugene, Oregon People from Chico, California Singers from California Songwriters from California Songwriters from Oregon Singers from Oregon 21st-century American women singers 21st-century American women guitarists 21st-century American guitarists Warpaint (band) members 21st-century American singers