Led by cellist, singer and songwriter Melora Creager, Rasputina has spent more than three decades combining cello-based rock with historical and unusual subject matter, often with a playful sense of humor. Since forming in the early ’90s, Rasputina has released a steady stream of albums, EPs and other recordings while touring extensively. Creager has also worked with numerous other artists over the years, most notably performing with Nirvana on the band’s final European tour.
Rasputina’s activity slowed following the release of Unknown in 2015, an album Creager wrote and recorded entirely on her own. After largely stepping away from touring and public life, she is now performing again with cellist and vocalist Jenette Mackie, who leads the cello-rock project Polly Panic, and drummer Ryder Cooley, a multidisciplinary artist and founder of the Hudson Valley band Dust Bowl Faeries. Creager and Cooley have also collaborated on Dust Bowl Faeries recordings. A new three-song Rasputina 7-inch featuring previously unreleased material is being sold at the shows.
Chaos Control last spoke with Creager around the release of Unknown. In this new interview, she discusses why she stepped away, how changes in her life have affected her creative process, Rasputina’s many lineup changes, connecting with younger listeners, and returning to music and live performance.
Over the past decade, Rasputina has maintained a much quieter presence than fans were once accustomed to. Do you think of Rasputina as being on hiatus, evolving into something else, or simply existing on its own timeline? And on a more personal level, is there anything you’d like to share about where life and creativity have taken you during that period?
Melora Creager: I’ve had periods where I felt very threatened by public life and by stepping back, I made that my status quo. You see articles about how to help you stop scrolling. I’ve always thought it was healthy to stay offline as much as possible and the music ways that developed- SoundCloud, streaming, etc, seemed unprofessional to me. But now I’m putting my toe back in because I have tech help that makes me feel safe and I need to survive, like anyone.
In 2015, you described Unknown as a very personal, almost spiritual experience that came from working in isolation. Looking back now, does that album feel like the end of one chapter or the beginning of another?
Melora Creager: It was the end of a chapter. I had complete freedom of imagination. I’ve since been diagnosed as bi-polar and while being properly medicated helps my life in general, it changes my relationship to the pace of my creativity.
Rasputina has always existed slightly outside of musical trends. What has it been like watching so many artists now embrace historical aesthetics, chamber instrumentation, and theatrical presentation that once seemed unusual?
Melora Creager: I think it probably goes in constant cycles, like there were probably historical or chamber and definitely theatrical presentations that came before me that I wasn’t aware of. I’m proud of being obstinately original. I have such affectionate fans that I never feel short-changed or forgotten.
Your work often feels timeless rather than nostalgic. When you’re writing, do you consciously avoid anchoring songs to a specific era?
Melora Creager: Well, if a situation that I’m writing about is specific, I don’t avoid its period. Part of the feel comes from me being classically trained, and things like cello exercise books ( that were from the early 20th century) are in my hands’ muscle memory and in the back of my mind.
For many listeners, discovering Rasputina was almost a rite of passage. Were you ever aware of how deeply the band was resonating with people who didn’t necessarily fit into traditional goth, rock, or classical communities?
Melora Creager: I’m always surprised to see straight men that are big fans. Can I say that? Haha. I’m not aware of classical musicians being into us. But I do feel we are for people who are ‘other’. And I’m told a lot that I showed someone that they can be different and do things just how they want. I love that, that means a lot to me.
Rasputina has always been associated with forgotten stories and overlooked historical figures. Do you feel there are subjects or voices that you’ve still wanted to explore but haven’t yet found the right project for?
Melora Creager: When I come upon them, I make the thing. I don’t have a stockpile of inspiration. Oh, a songwriting friend (MamaLama) and I intend to make an album about women saints- Ancienne Femme.
Over the years, the Rasputina lineup has continually changed. Was that something you expected in the beginning? If not, was there a particular point when you realized that a rotating cast of musicians had simply become part of Rasputina’s identity?
Melora Creager: It’s something that is embarrassing for me, because I think it makes people think I’m hard to get along with. But really, almost every musician wants to focus on their own project, so they play with you while they’re starting out, then take off when they’re ready to spread their wings . That’s also why I took so much time off. I was burned-out and could not face putting together another band.
The physicality of your work has always been important, whether that’s handmade packaging, artwork, costumes, or unusual releases. Has that become even more meaningful in an increasingly digital world?
Melora Creager: Lately in making artwork, I’ve been trying to get back to Rasputina roots with the Victorian collage feel, starting from real antique paper goods. I think the personal connection one can have with fans through the digital world is strangely real in itself. Chatting and such.
Rasputina’s audience has grown older alongside you, but younger listeners continue to discover the band for the first time. Does it surprise you that the music continues to find new generations?
Melora Creager: I’m gratified by that. Our “social stats” say the majority of our listeners are 35-45. That’s young to me, haha!
You’ve announced upcoming tour dates. Is there anything else coming up that you’d like to mention? (any new releases?)
Melora Creager: I’ve made a 7 inch record to sell at live dates. It has 3 new, never-before-heard songs. And I love the art on it. I can’t stop looking at it.
Rasputina music can be purchased from Rasputina’s Bandcamp page. For more tour dates and more info, visit the official Rasputina website.
