[citation needed] She began writing poetry at a very young age and was discovered as a singer by legendary Cleveland musician Peter Laughner,[1] who mentored her and convinced her to pursue a career in music.
Bertei quickly became a prominent figure in the no wave art and music scene in NYC, playing Acetone organ and guitar in the original line up of the Contortions fronted by James Chance.
[10] The band toured internationally, opened for the Clash in New York and released the single "Button Up,"[11] a John Peel favorite on the Au Pairs' label Exit Records in 1981.
[12] After The Bloods disbanded, Bertei worked as a DJ in Amsterdam, and upon returning to New York was one of the first solo acts to be signed to Geffen Records in 1981.
During her years in London, Bertei sang backing vocals with various groups live and in the studio, including Culture Club and The Passions.
She has written songs for artists as varied as The Pointer Sisters, Sheena Easton, Thomas Dolby, Arthur Baker, Jellybean Benitez, The Anubian Lights, Lydia Lunch and Matthew Sweet.
During this period she joined Jellybean Benitez for his LP Just Visiting This Planet, co-writing several songs and singing lead on the international pop hit "Just a Mirage"[20] in 1987.
After a brief stint touring with Sophie B. Hawkins as a backing singer, she moved to Los Angeles in 1993 and took a long hiatus from music to write and study directing.
Since then her only musical outing has been with The Anubian Lights as lead singer in 2005 and Phantascope,[21] a CD of co-produced and co-written songs on Nona Hendryx's label Rhythmbank.