New York band has unusual image
- by Jessica Lane: Newswriting Student

The musical group, Rasputina, performed a concert August 7 at Bricktown Live in Oklahoma City to promote their album, Frustration Plantation, which was released last March.

It was a small venue with an audience capacity of 200. Cameras were allowed, an advantage not granted by most money-hungry performers. Tickets were also exceptionally priced at $14.75 each. The atmosphere was friendly and consisted of dedicated fans. After all, it isn’t often the group from New York can make it to Oklahoma. After the concert, Melora Creager, vocalist, songwriter, cello player and creator of Rasputina, said that it is difficult for them to make it down here, but that they make an effort to do so.

Rasputina certainly put an effort into their performance, playing several songs from each of their four, full-length albums: Thanks for the Ether, How We Quit the Forest, Cabin Fever and Frustration Plantation. They also played several covers, including Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll,” Heart’s “Barracuda,” and others.

For those unfamiliar with Rasputina’s music, they are described on their Web page as “cello-rock.” However, their distinctive sound is difficult to narrow down to such a short description. They could be called alternative chamber music. That is, they are classically trained musicians who play music that might be recognized as alternative rock.

Rasputina consists of Melora Creager, Zoe Keating (cello, vocals), and Jonathon TeBeest (drums). Despite the fact that there were only three people playing, it sounded as though there were many more because they are talented musicians who have mastered resonance. Their musical performance was spontaneous, yet intricate. It seems that they work together well and that they enjoy what they do.

For those who like a band with an unusual image, Rasputina does not disappoint. Creager and Keating were dressed somewhat like rogue Victorian dolls in corsets. Their clothes looked antique and may very well have been. Creager wore an interesting arrangement of flowers and feathers in her hair, which made her look a bit nomadic. Keating’s outfit leaned more toward looking like a half dressed woman from the 1800s, which is actually quite a bit of material. This would include a full-length slip and corset. TeBeest opted for suspenders with a cloud-print shirt, bare feet and a top hat.

Creager’s lyrics are also unique. The themes for the songs range from historical events to fantasy, and often combine the two. Animals are also a frequent topic, as in their song, “Hunter’s Kiss,” which Creager introduced by saying that it was a protest against animal rights. The lyrics, however, emphasize a hunted deer. This kind of contradiction and play on words is just a sample of her style.

Although Bricktown Live has a small audience capacity, it was not full. But, like professionals, Rasputina played as if for thousands. When begged for an encore after they first left the stage, they returned and, not only played, but took requests as well. Their thoughtfulness extended even to after they had finished. Creager and Keating stayed to sign autographs and to let fans take pictures with them. They were very patient and welcoming to each fan and rushed no one.

For those who are interested, information about the band, such as biographies, tour dates, news pictures and samples of their music, can be found on their official Web site, www.rasputina.com. A better variety of music samples can be found on Instinct Records’ official Web site, www.instinctrecords.com. The four square icons on the first page of the Web site are too small to read the text, but clicking on the picture will enable the listener to hear Rasputina.