Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Aug 2, 2026

Ruth Radelet

Ruth Radelet is an American singer, songwriter and musician. She is best known for her work as the lead vocalist in the electronic band Chromatics, formed in 2001. A native of Portland, Oregon, Radelet joined Chromatics in 2006 after the band relocated to Portland from Seattle, Washington. The band's first album to feature Radelet as vocalist and guitarist was their cult release Night Drive (2007), the record which marked a notable shift in their sound, incorporating elements of synth pop and post punk.

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Ruth Radelet
Radelet in 2013
Radelet in 2013
Background information
Born (1982-04-28) April 28, 1982
Portland, Oregon, U.S.
GenresDream pop
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • musician
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • synthesizer
Years active2006–present
LabelItalians Do It Better (2006–2021)

Ruth Radelet (/ˈrædəleɪ/,1 born April 28, 1982)23 is an American singer, songwriter and musician. She is best known for her work as the lead vocalist in the electronic band Chromatics, formed in 2001.4 A native of Portland, Oregon, Radelet joined Chromatics in 2006 after the band relocated to Portland from Seattle, Washington. The band's first album to feature Radelet as vocalist and guitarist was their cult release Night Drive (2007), the record which marked a notable shift in their sound, incorporating elements of synth pop and post punk.

Radelet appeared with Chromatics in the Showtime series revival of Twin Peaks (2017).5

In 2020, Ruth Radelet sang on the Chromatics remix of "Blinding Lights" by The Weeknd. Additionally, in 2022, at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, it was revealed that The Weeknd used a sample of Radelet's voice while playing live.

After Chromatics disbanded in 2021, Radelet released her debut solo EP “The Other Side,” listed as #9 in Gorilla vs. Bear’s top 30 EPs of 2022.6 She has released multiple singles, collaborated with numerous other artists, and most recently contributed to the Lost Records: Bloom & Rage original game soundtrack, along with former bandmates Adam Miller and Nat Walker.

Early life

Radelet was born and raised in Portland, Oregon along with her two sisters, Sarah and Sofya.7

Career

Radelet joined Chromatics in 2006 with Adam Miller, Nat Walker, and Johnny Jewel, releasing Night Drive in 2007.8 Radelet provided contributions to Symmetry's debut album, Themes for an Imaginary Film (2011).9 Chromatics' follow-up album to Night Drive was Kill for Love, released the following year. The band was invited to perform at the Chanel show by Karl Lagerfeld in 2012.10

Radelet appeared with Chromatics in the Showtime 2017 revival of Twin Peaks.11 After the disbandment of Chromatics in 2021,12 Radelet launched a solo career, releasing her debut EP The Other Side in 2022, which was produced by Filip Nikolic, formerly of Poolside.13

In 2025 Radelet contributed several songs to Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, in collaboration with former bandmates Adam Miller and Nat Walker.

Influences

Radelet has cited songwriters Bob Dylan and Tom Waits as influences, along with artists such as Beach House and Frank Ocean. 1415

Personal life

Ruth relocated to New York4 from Portland in 2011, and to Los Angeles in 2015.16

Works

Discography

Extended plays

  • The Other Side (2022), self-released

Singles

  • "Twilight" (2021), an Elliott Smith cover featured on the 30th anniversary compilation of Kill Rock Stars
  • "Crimes" (2022), self-released
  • "Stranger" (2022), self-released
  • "Leaving the Table" (2023), Leonard Cohen cover, self-released
  • "Shoot Me Down" (2023), self-released
  • "The Wild Unknown" (2025), Kid Katana Records
  • "Dreamers" (2025), Kid Katana Records
  • "The Veil" (2025), Kid Katana Records

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
2017 Twin Peaks Herself Episodes: "Part 2", "Part 12", "Part 17"


References

References

  1. "Pitchfork on Instagram: "A Californian road trip with @ruthradelet"".
  2. @IDIB (April 28, 2018). "Happy Birthday Ruth Radelet @chromatics We love you forever ever" (Tweet) – via Twitter.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  3. "United States Public Records, 1970–2009," database, FamilySearch (23 May 2014), Ruth Radelet, Residence, Portland, Oregon, United States; a third party aggregator of publicly available information.
  4. Grube, Janice. "Johnny Jewel & Ruth Radelet Interview". Revel In. New York City. Archived from the original on July 20, 2018. I was born and raised here, and aside from a few years on the Oregon coast, I lived in Portland my entire life until I moved to New York in 2011.
  5. Hudson, David (April 25, 2016). "The Code, Pickford, Rivette". Fandor. Archived from the original on March 3, 2017. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
  6. https://www.gorillavsbear.net/gorilla-vs-bears-eps-of-2022/
  7. "Obituary: Pierre Julian Radelet". The Oregonian. April 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  8. Harvell, Jess (October 7, 2007). "Chromatics: Night Drive review". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on February 14, 2009. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  9. Richards, Chris (January 3, 2012). "Album review: Symmetry, "Themes for an Imaginary Film"". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
  10. Lynn, Logan (October 26, 2016). "'Kill for Love': An Interview With Ruth Radelet of Chromatics". The Huffington Post. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
  11. Strauss, Matthew (April 25, 2016). "'Twin Peaks' Revival to Star Trent Reznor, Sky Ferreira, Eddie Vedder, Sharon Van Etten, More". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved January 10, 2017.
  12. Kennedy, John (August 10, 2021). "Chromatics Call It Quits After 20 Years". I Heart Radio. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  13. Vehling (Vehlinggo), Aaron (2024-02-01). "Catching Up with Ruth Radelet (Ex-Chromatics): An Interview". Vehlinggo. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  14. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ruth-radelet-chromatic-kill-for-love_b_2006068
  15. https://www.brooklynvegan.com/ruth-radelet-ex-chromatics-discusses-the-inspirations-behind-her-debut-solo-ep/
  16. Radelet, Ruth (January 17, 2016). "Ruth Radelet on Instagram: "I guess it's official"". Instagram. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
External links