Rusko “!” EP and North America Tour Dates Announced

Throughout his artist career, Chris Mercer (aka Rusko) has proven himself one of the most influential and talented producers in the electronic dance music arena. A true pioneer in the bass music scene, Rusko has broken new ground with the release of his most recent EP, the ambiguously titled !.

In all honesty, though, we could not have dreamed a more fitting title for the five track mini-album, given the level of energy it brings to the table. True to its name, the finished product is nothing short of explosive, to say the least. Beginning with the wildly successful first single “Sunshower,” the English producer and DJ has been teasing us with tracks and generating support and anticipation from outlets like Rolling Stone and Mixmag over the past couple of weeks.

When listened to in its entirety, however, the finished EP serves as a first-rate example of Rusko’s musical versatility. Probably best described as a stylistic experiment, the work explores a realm outside the confines of typical genres – elements of trap, funk, drum ‘n’ bass and tech house come together to create an overall sound that can’t quite be easily classified.

If you didn’t catch the first single when it released last month, “Sunshower” plays out with more of a trap style beat, while the funky follow up “Like A Boss” revs up the pace to bring a drum ‘n’ bass-inspired vibe. With “Happy Chords” and “My Style,” Rusko puts all the focus on the bass before taking us on a frantic video game-inspired roller coaster for “Rusko’s Theme.”

Concurrent with the release of his ! EP, Rusko has also announced an extensive four-month long North American tour which he promised would served as the launching platform for a slew of new material. You can find all the scheduled performance dates and locations below.

Download ! out now via Universal/FMLY Records here:

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Rusko North American Fall and Summer Tour Dates

Aug. 29 – Columbus, OH @ FMMF Festival
Aug. 30 – Calgary, AB @  Summersend Festival
Aug. 31 – Atlanta, GA @ Imagine Music Festival
Sept. 5 – Oklahoma City, OK @ Mystik Sanctuary Festival
Sept. 6 – Flagstaff, AZ @ Kaleidoscope Kamp Out
Sept. 12 – Victoria, BC @ Rifflandia Festival
Sept. 19 – Honolulu, HI @ The Republik
Oct. 2 – Madison, WI @ Segredo
Oct. 3 – Toronto, ON @ The Hoxton
Oct. 4 – New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
Oct. 9 – Pontiac, MI @ Elektricity Nightclub
Oct. 10 – Chicago, IL @ The Mid
Oct. 11 – Minneapolis, MN @ The Loft
Oct. 16 – Costa Mesa, CA @ Sutra
Oct. 17 – Los Angeles, CA @ Exchange LA
Oct. 18 – San Diego, CA @ Bassmnt
Oct. 23 – Austin, TX @ Vulcan Gas Company
Oct. 24 – Houtston, TX @ Limelight
Oct. 30 – San Francisco, CA @ 1015 Folsom
Nov. 5 – Boston, MA @ Paradise
Nov. 6 – Syracuse, NY @ Wescott Theatre
Nov. 7 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Zoo
Nov. 8 – Buffalo, NY @ Town Ballroom
Nov. 9 – Washington, DC @ U Street Music Hall
Nov. 12 – Vancouver, BC @ Celebrities Nightclub
Nov. 13 – Seattle, WA @ Showbox Sodo
Nov. 14 – Kelowna, BC @ Sapphire Nightclub
Nov. 15 – Edmonton, AB @ Encore At Wem
Nov. 20 – Phoenix, AZ @ Monarch Theatre
Nov. 21 – Denver, CO @ Beta
Nov. 22 – Missoula, MT @ The Wilma Theatre
Nov. 26 – Orlando, FL @ The Beacham Theatre
Nov. 28 – Columbus, OH @ The Bluestone
Nov. 29 –  St. Louis, MO @ The Old Rock House
Dec. 6 – Dallas, TX @ Lizard Lounge