KARI RUESLÅTTEN's 'Why So Lonely' Video Featuring Keyboards By NIGHTWISH Mainman

"Why So Lonely", the new Aksel Dalili-directed video from former THE 3RD AND THE MORTAL "goddess of beauty" Kari Rueslåtten, can be seen below. The song, which is available via iTunes, Amazon, Spotify and Wimp, is a new version of the THE 3RD AND THE MORTAL track from the band's "Tears Laid In Earth" album (1994),featuring a guest appearance by NIGHTWISH mastermind Tuomas Holopainen on piano and keyboards. Jostein Ansnes plays guitar and Rune Arnesen laid down the drums.

"I decided to look back in time and make a cover version of one of my favorite songs from the early years with THE 3RD AND THE MORTAL," said Rueslåtten. "In a way, it can be seen as a tribute to those who have showed interest in my music through so many years.

"What really triggered me to start making music again were all the kind messages I got from fans around the world asking me when new music would surface. I am most humbled and grateful to find that there are people out there who have followed my music since my early beginning, back in THE 3RD AND THE MORTAL days, and through all my solo albums."

In an interview with FestivalBlog.be, Holopainen stated about his guest appearance on the track: "It's just an incredible thing because this album called 'Tears Laid In Earth' from 1994 is my all time number one album. It's my favorite album of all time and I'm not exaggerating when I say that listening to this album made me form NIGHTWISH. I wanted to do something similar. That's the most beautiful thing I've ever heard — female voice, atmospheric metal; I wanted to do something similar. So I owe everything to this band and this album. And then Kari contacted me saying, 'I'm doing a cover of the song 'Why So Lonely' for my solo album, Would you like to come and play the piano and the keyboard for that song?' And I [said 'Yes'], like, immediately, I mean, this is an unbelievable coincidence. I did it last May."

Rueslåtten's natural talent, combined with classical training and roots in the Norwegian folk music tradition, has resulted in a voice that is difficult to describe. Her music has been compared with artists like Tori Amos, Kate Bush and Bjørk, maybe not necessarily because the music sounds very similar, but because of each artist's distinctive vocal delivery.

Rueslåtten will start the recording of her brand new, 10-song album this fall. The CD will be tracked at Øra Studio in Trondheim and produced by Jostein Ansnes, one of Norway's best guitarists, known for his work with the critically acclaimed Norwegian band DADAFON with singer Kristin Asbjørnsen.

Rueslåtten in 2005 her solo debut, "Spindelsinn" (originally issued in 1997 via Sony Music Norway),re-released through GMR Music Group's Peach Music label. The CD was re-mastered and featured two bonus live tracks.

Rueslåtten's fourth solo album, "Other People's Stories", was released in 2005 via GMR/Peach Music. The follow-up to 2002's "Pilot" was previously described as "filled with [Kari's] best songs to date as well as wonderfully produced." A live video was shot for the album's title track.

The original THE 3RD AND THE MORTAL version of "Why So Lonely" can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.