Rūta Vitkauskaitė

During 2011 – 2014, Rūta was the member violinist of a self-identified “three-piece post-apocalyptic alt-folk” band from London. The band, known as ‘Until the Bird of the Soul Takes Flight from The Cage of the Body to Consort with the Nightingales in the Everlasting Garden’ was founded by Dave Hawkins and Thomas Harmsworth, who met as English Literature students at Oxford University, which may explain their unconventional name.

Their songs are mini-epic celebrations of life and love created in defiance of war and the forces of late capitalism. They are masters at crafting a unique sound, while remaining rooted in the musical history of the British Isles and further afield.

”Instrumentally the band’s sound comes together seamlessly, with each member’s contribution complementing the others to create an exhilarating musical experience. The rhythmic intensity of Hawkins’ guitar strumming energises the sound and propels the music forward, while Harmsworth’s endless sustain of the accordion fills out the trio texture with a beautiful orchestral warmth. Vitkauskaitė’s violin techniques span a wide range of manic tremolos, choppy double stops and ‘theramin-esque’ glissandi, adding an unexpected touch of the avant-garde to the songs and making them bloom with emotional intensity. Their songs also feature overdubbed xylophone, piano, and extra percussion.

Their live performances are a real treat, as the band’s witty hilarious banter on stage adds to the overall experience.’’ (The Pocket Trumpet)

While Ruta was a member of the band, the band released two CDs: the debut recording ‘Dwelling’ EP and the professionally recorded album ‘Pale Clouded Yellow’. In 2014, Rūta left the band to focus on her PhD in Composition at the Royal Academy in London and other experimental music projects.