“We’ve been going for a long time and built up our audience back home. Now that we’re spending so much more time in America, it’s like starting from scratch meeting new people,” shares Dring. “We’ve got a very simple strategy and that’s to build it up organically the same way we did back home. We did 100 shows in America last year, are up to 130 this year and are always committed to taking a massive show with us wherever we go. Our goal in Rapture Ruckus is to lift people up from their burdens and leave our show feeling like a million bucks. We want people to hear our music and go away feeling better than when they came in.”

Though Rapture Ruckus’ live experience is nothing short of jaw dropping, the most important element is the music itself, which as Open Your Eyes so aptly relates, is a beat-driven blur between four on the floor dance grooves, explosive hip-hop and electronic pop, all wrapped around alternative rock attitude.

“If you listen to our older material, we started out as a straight up hip-hop group, but slowly evolved into more of the rock and pop side with a real British, electro glam aspect to what we do,” continues Dring. “It’s not rap and it’s not rock; it’s definitely it’s own thing. This is a full band with big ‘80s synths backed by big production both on the stage and in the recording studio.”

Though Rapture Ruckus self-produced much of Open Your Eyes, a scan through the new album’s credits also includes assistance from Family Force 5’s Solomon Olds and the Atlanta collective ZK Productions (Outkast, Cartel, Mayday Parade). Even Stu G, legendary guitarist for Delirious, pops up to lend his six string skills on several tracks.

“The album is about seeing the world through God’s eyes and realizing that there’s so much out there, whether it be beautiful or painful, that we can’t see with our own eyes,” confides Dring.

This fall, Rapture Ruckus will be touring with Group 1 Crew. For dates and more information on Rapture Ruckus check out the links below.

About Rapture Ruckus:
Rapture Ruckus debuted in 2002 at New Zealand’s Parachute Festival (one of the largest music festivals in the Southern Hemisphere) breaking the event’s record for highest-selling new act. Rapture Ruckus has continued touring, supporting bands throughout North America, Europe, Africa and Asia. Already releasing three albums since their 2002 debut, and winning the 2007 New Zealand Music Award for Best Gospel Album, Rapture Ruckus released their music to the United States via BEC Recordings in 2010. The self-titled EP was nominated for a 2010 GMA Dove Award. Rapture Ruckus is Brad Dring (vocals, frontman), Mike Aitofi (keyboard, guitar) and Josh Stein (drums).

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For more info on Rapture Ruckus, visit the JFH Artists Database.

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