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May 2011 02

by Keith Daniels

“Rasputina is like a living photograph with sound.”
– Melora Creager

The first (and best) cello-based rock band, Rasputina, formed over twenty years ago in Brooklyn, New York. Based around founding auteur Melora Creager, the band has seen many members come and go over the years and had more drummers than Spın̈al Tap, but has maintained a consistent vision throughout. Their songs focus on Creager’s obsessions: historical oddities, fantastical theories, and the strength of women. The whole is tied together with her handmade aesthetic into an artistically unified production: from their album art to their stage performances (called ‘recitals’) to their music. Rasputina’s most recent album is Great American Gingerbread, a collection of demos and other rarities. Melora and I spoke recently about her songwriting method, her proudest moment, and how she keeps Rasputina fresh after two decades in the music business.

Read our exclusive interview with Melora Creager on SuicideGirls.com.