Louise Rutkowski

Vocalist Louise Rutkowski is most recognized as the startling voice behind 4AD projects This Mortal Coil (Filigree & Shadow and Blood) and the Hope Blister's Smile's OK. The Scotland native was actually signed to CBS at the age of 19 in the early '80s and recorded Sunset Gun with noted session keyboardist Pete Wingfield. Later signed with Interscope, Rutkowski recorded an album with Massive Attack string arranger Craig Armstrong (The Kindness of Strangers) that never saw the light of day for legal reasons. Removed from any label-oriented bindings, Rutkowski issued Six Songs on her own in 2001, a batch of Randy Newman covers that included renditions of "Real Emotional Girl" and "You Can Leave Your Hat On." Though not released on 4AD proper, the EP was available through the label's mail order department. ~ Andy Kellman