Melora Creager
Encyclopedia
Melora Creager, formerly Melora Mather, (born March 25, 1966) is an American cellist
and singer-songwriter best known for her role as lead singer and chief composer of the cello rock
trio Rasputina.
Born in Kansas City, Missouri
, she grew up in Emporia, Kansas
, with an older brother and a younger sister; all children were adopted
. Her mother was a graphic designer and her father was an administrator and physicist at a university; both were very supportive of music and the arts, and encouraged their children to take up musical instruments. Creager began playing the piano at age five, and the cello at age nine. She gave up the cello in the eighth grade (not wanting to be involved in the orchestra scene), only to pick it up again several years later in college. In the mid-1980s she moved to New York City
to study photography at Parsons School of Design, where her friends encouraged her to resume playing the cello. In 1989 Creager formed a duo with Julia Kent
called the Traveling Ladies' Cello Society. Kent remained in the band for ten years, finally leaving in 1999 amid much drama and disagreement; she and Creager's relationship has been described by Creager as a "decade-long dysfunctional marriage." In 1991 Creager founded the Brooklyn
-based alternative band Rasputina, which originally consisted of six other cellists (whom she found by placing classified ads in the newspaper). The group was influenced by both rock and classical cello music. By 1996 the band was trimmed down to two other cellists and a drummer, and Rasputina's first full-length album was released, Thanks for the Ether. Creager also played cello for Nirvana
on the European leg of the In Utero
world tour (including the band's final show in Munich
).
Creager displays a unique fashion sense, including an obvious interest in corsets and Victorian bloomers
, which she wears during her live performances. She is also fascinated with historical events and people of the past, including the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire
of 1911, Howard Hughes
, Rose Kennedy, victims of Josef Mengele
, and others. She weaves these stories into the lyrics of her songs, as well as creating fictional stories of her own, sung in her wispy, tremulous vocals. The song "Mr. E. Leon Rauis" on the album Thanks for the Ether
was inspired by a black-and-white photograph she found in an attic of a man, and expresses the wonder she felt about him and what his life could have been like. It is now known that his name was actually E. Leon Rains, and he was a fairly well known opera singer from around the turn of the 19th century till the middle of the 20th century. Creager's lyrics employ a sly, dark irony and quirky humour. Her songs can be enigmatic and vaguely ominous.
In 2003, Creager starred in the 13-minute film On My Knees, based on The Diaries of Hannah Cullwick
.
Creager resides in Hudson, New York with her boyfriend and two daughters, Hollis Willa Lane, who wrote and sang the lyrics of the song "Nov. 17dee" on the album Frustration Plantation
, and Ivy, born November 20, 2009.
She is left-handed, unable to whistle and incapable of swimming.
Recently she provided the cello
s for Voltaire
's album Riding a Black Unicorn Down the Side of an Erupting Volcano While Drinking from a Chalice Filled with the Laughter of Small Children!
.
Cello
The cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
and singer-songwriter best known for her role as lead singer and chief composer of the cello rock
Cello rock
Cello rock and cello metal are subgenres of rock music and heavy metal characterized by the use of cellos as primary instruments, alongside or in place of more traditional rock instruments such as electric guitars, electric bass guitar, and drum set.Cellos, often in groups of three or more, are...
trio Rasputina.
Born in Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
, she grew up in Emporia, Kansas
Emporia, Kansas
Emporia is a city in and the county seat of Lyon County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 24,916. Emporia lies between Topeka and Wichita at the intersection of U.S. Route 50 with Interstates 335 and 35 on the Kansas Turnpike...
, with an older brother and a younger sister; all children were adopted
Adoption
Adoption is a process whereby a person assumes the parenting for another and, in so doing, permanently transfers all rights and responsibilities from the original parent or parents...
. Her mother was a graphic designer and her father was an administrator and physicist at a university; both were very supportive of music and the arts, and encouraged their children to take up musical instruments. Creager began playing the piano at age five, and the cello at age nine. She gave up the cello in the eighth grade (not wanting to be involved in the orchestra scene), only to pick it up again several years later in college. In the mid-1980s she moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to study photography at Parsons School of Design, where her friends encouraged her to resume playing the cello. In 1989 Creager formed a duo with Julia Kent
Julia Kent
Julia Kent is a New York City-based, Canadian-born cellist who is best known as an original member of the all-cello group Rasputina, and later on as a member of Antony and the Johnsons....
called the Traveling Ladies' Cello Society. Kent remained in the band for ten years, finally leaving in 1999 amid much drama and disagreement; she and Creager's relationship has been described by Creager as a "decade-long dysfunctional marriage." In 1991 Creager founded the Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
-based alternative band Rasputina, which originally consisted of six other cellists (whom she found by placing classified ads in the newspaper). The group was influenced by both rock and classical cello music. By 1996 the band was trimmed down to two other cellists and a drummer, and Rasputina's first full-length album was released, Thanks for the Ether. Creager also played cello for Nirvana
Nirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
on the European leg of the In Utero
In Utero
In Utero is the third and final studio album by the American grunge band Nirvana, released on September 13, 1993, on DGC Records. Nirvana intended the record to diverge significantly from the polished production of its previous album, Nevermind...
world tour (including the band's final show in Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
).
Creager displays a unique fashion sense, including an obvious interest in corsets and Victorian bloomers
Victorian dress reform
During the middle and late Victorian period, various reformers proposed, designed, and wore clothing supposedly more rational and comfortable than the fashions of the time. This was known as the dress reform or rational dress movement...
, which she wears during her live performances. She is also fascinated with historical events and people of the past, including the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire
The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York City on March 25, 1911, was the deadliest industrial disaster in the history of the city of New York and resulted in the fourth highest loss of life from an industrial accident in U.S. history...
of 1911, Howard Hughes
Howard Hughes
Howard Robard Hughes, Jr. was an American business magnate, investor, aviator, engineer, film producer, director, and philanthropist. He was one of the wealthiest people in the world...
, Rose Kennedy, victims of Josef Mengele
Josef Mengele
Josef Rudolf Mengele , also known as the Angel of Death was a German SS officer and a physician in the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau. He earned doctorates in anthropology from Munich University and in medicine from Frankfurt University...
, and others. She weaves these stories into the lyrics of her songs, as well as creating fictional stories of her own, sung in her wispy, tremulous vocals. The song "Mr. E. Leon Rauis" on the album Thanks for the Ether
Thanks for the Ether
- Personnel :* Norm Block – Drums* Tracy Boychuk – Art Direction* Jimmy Boyle – Executive Producer, Producer* Michael Brauer – Mixing* Greg Calbi – Mastering* Melora Creager – Art Direction, Cello, Producer, Vocals* Greg Gordon – Engineer* Julia Kent – Cello...
was inspired by a black-and-white photograph she found in an attic of a man, and expresses the wonder she felt about him and what his life could have been like. It is now known that his name was actually E. Leon Rains, and he was a fairly well known opera singer from around the turn of the 19th century till the middle of the 20th century. Creager's lyrics employ a sly, dark irony and quirky humour. Her songs can be enigmatic and vaguely ominous.
In 2003, Creager starred in the 13-minute film On My Knees, based on The Diaries of Hannah Cullwick
Hannah Cullwick
Hannah Cullwick was a Victorian era diarist and domestic servant. She is known for her unusual relationship with Arthur Munby, which they both documented in diaries, letters and photographs.-Early life:...
.
Creager resides in Hudson, New York with her boyfriend and two daughters, Hollis Willa Lane, who wrote and sang the lyrics of the song "Nov. 17dee" on the album Frustration Plantation
Frustration Plantation
Frustration Plantation, the fourth studio album recorded by cello-dominated rock group Rasputina, was released by Instinct Records on March 16, 2004...
, and Ivy, born November 20, 2009.
She is left-handed, unable to whistle and incapable of swimming.
Recently she provided the cello
Cello
The cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
s for Voltaire
Voltaire (musician)
Voltaire , is a popular dark cabaret Cuban-American musician...
's album Riding a Black Unicorn Down the Side of an Erupting Volcano While Drinking from a Chalice Filled with the Laughter of Small Children!
Riding a Black Unicorn Down the Side of an Erupting Volcano While Drinking from a Chalice Filled with the Laughter of Small Children!
Riding a Black Unicorn Down the Side of an Erupting Volcano While Drinking from a Chalice Filled with the Laughter of Small Children! is the eighth studio album by Cuban American dark cabaret/Dark Wave singer Voltaire. It was released on September 1, 2011, initially via digital download on the...
.
Discography
- Transylvanian Concubine/The Vaulted Eel, Lesson #6 - Oculus Records, 1993
- Three (3) (promo) - 1994
- Thanks for the EtherThanks for the Ether- Personnel :* Norm Block – Drums* Tracy Boychuk – Art Direction* Jimmy Boyle – Executive Producer, Producer* Michael Brauer – Mixing* Greg Calbi – Mastering* Melora Creager – Art Direction, Cello, Producer, Vocals* Greg Gordon – Engineer* Julia Kent – Cello...
- Columbia Records, 1996 - Three Lil' Nothin's (promo) - 1996
- Transylvanian RegurgitationsTransylvanian RegurgitationsTransylvanian Regurgitations is an EP by Rasputina and remixed by Marilyn Manson which was released by in 1997 with Columbia Records. All songs by Melora Creager except track 6, Brand New Key by Melanie Safka.-Track listing:...
(EPExtended playAn EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
) - Columbia Records, 1997 - How We Quit the ForestHow We Quit the Forest-Credits and personnel:Rasputina* Melora Creager - Artwork, Cello, Producer, Vocals* Julia Kent - Cello* Agnieszka Rybska - CelloProduction and personnel* Chris Vrenna - Drums, Producer, Programming* Critter - Engineer, Mixing...
- Columbia Records, 1998 - The Olde HeadBoard (EP) - Columbia Records, 1998
- The Lost & FoundThe Lost & FoundThe Lost & Found is an EP record by Rasputina, the first edition of which was self-released in 2001 and the second edition released in 2003 by Instinct Records...
(self-released limited edition EP) - 2001 - Cabin Fever!Cabin Fever (Rasputina album)Cabin Fever is the third studio album of Rasputina released in 2002 with Instinct Records. It is noteworthy for its use of industrial influences, particularly the distorted cello.-Track listing:#"Gingerbread Coffin" - 3:43#"Thimble Island" - 2:41...
- Instinct Records, 2002 - My Fever BrokeMy Fever BrokeMy Fever Broke is an EP by Rasputina, released in 2002 on Instinct Records. The track "The Fox in the Snow" is a Belle and Sebastian cover.-Track listing:# "At the State Fair With a White Trash Sucker" – 4:36# "SweetWaterKill " – 4:08...
(EP) - Instinct Records, 2002 - The Lost & FoundThe Lost & FoundThe Lost & Found is an EP record by Rasputina, the first edition of which was self-released in 2001 and the second edition released in 2003 by Instinct Records...
(second edition EP) - Instinct Records, 2003 - Frustration PlantationFrustration PlantationFrustration Plantation, the fourth studio album recorded by cello-dominated rock group Rasputina, was released by Instinct Records on March 16, 2004...
- Instinct Records, 2004 - A Radical RecitalA Radical RecitalA Radical Recital is a live recording of a Rasputina recital held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Halloween, 2004 . It contains songs from the previous Rasputina albums, and lead singer Melora Creager's spoken introductions...
(live) - Filthy Bonnet Recording Co., 2005 - PerplexionsPerplexionsPerplexions is an album by Rasputina frontwoman Melora Creager which was released on December 4, 2006, by the Filthy Bonnet Recording Company.-Track listing:#"Girl Lunar Explorer"#"Warbots"#"Sky Is Falling"#"Border Village"#"Krakatowa"...
(solo recording) - Filthy Bonnet Recording Co., 2006 - Oh Perilous World! (Vinyl LP, CD & Limited edition CD) - Filthy Bonnet Recording Co., June 26, 2007
- Repo! The Genetic OperaRepo! The Genetic OperaRepo! The Genetic Opera is a 2008 horror-rock opera musical film directed by Darren Lynn Bousman. The film is based on a play written and composed by Darren Smith and Terrance Zdunich....
(As part of orchestra), 2008 - Melora a la BasilicaMelora a la BasilicaMelora a la Basilica is a 1000 unit collector's edition live recording made by chamber-rock trio Rasputina in Basilica Industria in Hudson, NY, "a behemoth of a defunct glue factory". It is a collection of previous Rasputina songs reworked with new band member Daniel DeJesus and covers of songs by...
(Limited Edition Live EP), 2008 - The Willow Tree TriptychThe Willow Tree Triptych-Album details:*Original Release Date: 2009*Label: none*Recording Mode: Stereo*Recording Type: Studio*Producer: Melora Creager*Distributor: self-distributed*Rasputina: Melora Creager...
(Limited Edition EP), 2009 - Ancient Cross-Dressing SongsAncient Cross-Dressing Songs-Album details:*Original Release Date: 2009*Label: none*Recording Mode: Stereo*Recording Type: Studio*Producer: Melora Creager*Distributor: self-distributed*Rasputina: Melora Creager...
- A Special Recording For Brooklyn (Limited Edition EP), 2009 - Sister KinderhookSister Kinderhook-Critical reception:Ned Raggett of Allmusic commented "Released in a year when Joanna Newsom made her own most sprawling artistic statement to date, it's become all the easier to see how Creager and Rasputina served as a touchstone for many who followed. The lyrical focus of Sister Kinderhook is...
- Filthy Bonnet Recording Co., 2010 - Great American Gingerbread - Filthy Bonnet Recording Co., 2011
External links
- Official Rasputina Website
- Interview with Melora Creager on Sepiachord.com
- An Extensive Audio Interview with Melora Creager on The Jekyll and Hyde Show, 106FM Jerusalem. October 2010