RUSKO
If I were to illustrate the sounds of Rusko, it would look something like this: A massive carnival packed with the world’s most enthusiastic music devotees, landscaped with countless fluorescent bounce houses and jumbo subwoofers. The foreground is catered with deep-fried bass guitars, served with a side of hot sweaty headbanging. And of course front and center, the madman himself thrashing the crowd with his lightning bass lines and rollercoasters of high energy. Perched above all this mayhem stands a spectrum of flashing lights that exclaim an irresistable invitation… This Way to Rusko’s Fun House!
Christopher Mercer, a 24-year old powerhouse from Leeds, has taken his Rusko name alongside dubstep and propelled them both into a whole new universe, in a fresh explosion of new musical adventure. With his rich energy and smashing bass, Rusko has been a major force for dubstep in spreading the sound to genres that were previously outside of the realm. With flavors of hiphop, house, electro and beyond, he has shown a diversity of skills and expression through his works with artists such as A-Trak, Kid Sister, Chali 2na and Kid Cudi. This man is not joking when he describes his work as a “takeover!”
interview by Ivy Something
…You’re touring like a mad man right now with back-to-back gigs! Have you pulled off any legendary superhero stunts while on the road?
Oh, most of it feels like it! We did seven [shows] in a row… a day off… then eight in a row last month in the States with a flight everyday! I definitely don’t feel like a superhero when I wake up at 8 am to get on another flight!
What keeps you sane while on all those planes, trains and automobiles?
Three things: nicotine gum, a nicotine inhaler, and my lovely iPod Touch. I put my fave TV shows on there. I love Tim and Eric and Robot Chicken. I just fill it full of Adult Swim stuff. I order the free whisky, sit back, smoke my inhaler and it’s nice! I think maybe I’ve already gone crazy.
Any travel tips you want to share?
If you wanna beat jet lag on a night flight… if you can, don’t eat on the flight at all, whether you sleep or not. Then have breakfast when you land and you’re off the plane. I read it once and swear by it! It really works!
Are there any specific gigs that stand out as memorable?
Oh, so many! Rod [Azlan] is always at the front of the stage, so he has to deal with a lot of craziness. We get crowd surfers landing straight into the DJ box on top of the decks, speaker stacks falling, fire extinguishers being let off, MC’s punching ravers. Oh god, we’ve had it all! We’re peaceful, easy guys though… we just mash it down with the tunes, have a few drinks and nice it up. You do get some mentalists in the clubs though!…
