Originally dubbed a one-off experiment by ex-<a href="spotify:artist:0gvHPdYxlU94W7V5MSIlFe">Bikini Kill</a> lead singer Kathleen Hanna, Julie Ruin released their self-titled record on the <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Kill+Rock+Stars%22">Kill Rock Stars</a> label in September 1998, following the breakup of <a href="spotify:artist:0gvHPdYxlU94W7V5MSIlFe">Bikini Kill</a> in February of that year. Described as Hanna's alter ego, Julie Ruin picked up where <a href="spotify:artist:0gvHPdYxlU94W7V5MSIlFe">Bikini Kill</a> left off, singing of feminism, violence, objectification, juxtaposition, and the Valley Girl Intelligentsia. Best described as lo-fi electronica, Hanna recorded and mixed the record in the closet of her Olympia, Washington apartment with Paul Schuster. Julie Ruin did not tour to promote the record. Hanna then formed the similar project <a href="spotify:artist:2n6FviARgtjjimZXu18uRM">Le Tigre</a> in 1999, but returned to Julie Ruin in 2010 as a band project with Carmine Covelli, Sara Landeau, Kathi Wilcox, and Kenny Mellman. The group's first album, Run Fast, appeared in September 2013 via <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Dischord+Records%22">Dischord Records</a>. The ensemble went on to tour the record but were forced to halt their plans as Hanna was battling Lyme disease. Despite ongoing difficulties, the band returned in 2016 with Hit Reset, a commanding record of jagged dance beats and spiky pop that Hanna described as being some of her most personal work to date. ~ Stacee Sledge, Rovi
