Rasputina

Rasputina formed in Portland, Oregon in the mid-1990s around cellist Melora Creager. Their sound centered on cello arrangements that blended classical instrumentation with rock elements, creating something distinct from typical alternative bands of that era. Songs like 'Howard Hughes' and 'Tourniquet' showed how they could build atmosphere through those cello lines rather than guitar riffs.

Their debut album 'Thanks for the Ether' established their approach, with later records like 'How I Got This Way' and 'Sister Kinderhook' continuing to develop it. The lyrics often drew from historical figures and gothic imagery, as in 'My Little Shirtwaist Fire' and 'Remnants of Percy Bass,' giving their music a particular narrative quality.

They maintained an all-female lineup for much of their run, with Creager's cello remaining the constant through various personnel changes. Their visual presentation and album artwork matched the music's tone, though they avoided making that the entire focus. The music itself carried the weight.