Meet Washington DC’s Rucca, Hear The “Summers In DC” Mix
–Written by Kevin Madert
For regular patrons of nightlife in the District of Columbia, familiar faces abound in the world of opening DJs. While the early-evening timeslot regulars aren’t lacking or slacking by any means, it’s always nice to see a fresh face now and then. A few weeks back Rucca – real name Lucca Vaselli – was that face, warming up the bass bins at Echostage for Bro Safari and Brillz at another sold-out Steez Promo Mega. From the moment doors opened the exuberant DJ/producer worked the crowd with subtle precision, never straying beyond his unspoken sonic boundaries as a lead-off performer.
It’s nothing new for the Philadelphia native, whose career extends back well before he came to the nation’s capital in pursuit of higher education. He got his start in a duo known as R&D (Rucca & Dux), gaining experience at a plethora of live engagements & honing his own skills as both a curator and a producer. When the pair was put to rest in early 2014 he continued on his own, briefly holding onto the R&D moniker before embracing Rucca for good. Since then he’s played everywhere from the 930 Club to the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum (yes, that Air & Space Museum) and compiled several solid mixes – the most recent of which being why we’re here today.
On “Summers In DC,” the young Rucca bounces between tonalities like a giddy schoolchild holding dominion over the hopscotch court. One moment we’re enjoying Shadow Child’s airy synths beneath the smooth tones of Aluna Francis, the next we’re submerged in a string of grimy future/tech house tracks. This juxtaposition works because it’s the product of a series of decisions made by a cognizant mix architect. Ebb and flow are crucial in a live setting; Rucca’s ability to grasp and emulate this is an indicator of his relative maturity as a budding artist.
We caught up with Rucca and asked him to give us some insight into the creation of the “Summers In DC” mix; here’s what he had to say:
“I wanted to go for a summery vibe while still staying true to what I love playing out live. So throughout the mix you hear these really happy tunes and suddenly you’re thrown back to those deep, underground vibes.
Basically, it was inspired by the good times I’ve had playing out in DC; it features a lot of ideas I want to show off at my upcoming shows this summer.”
You can stream the mix + see a full tracklist below. Be sure to connect with Rucca and keep up with all his happenings this summer in the DMV.
“Summers In DC” Tracklist:
AlunaGeorge – Best Be Believing (Shadow Child Remix)
Redlight – 9TS (Taiki Nulight x Grande Remix)
Taiki Nulight – IAEATD
Sirus Hood – Bad Boy (Shiba San Remix)
Valentino Khan – Deep Down Low
Taiki Nulight x Grande – Notorious
Wax Motif & Hunter Siegel – All Night Man
Taiki Nulight – Higher
Gucci Mane – Pillz (Dr. Fresch Remix)
OG Maco – Bitch U Ghastly
Jack Ü – To Ü (Bart B More Bootleg)
Tchami – Afterlife
Michael Calfan – Treasured Soul (Chocolate Puma Remix)
DJ Snake vs. Junior Senior – Move Your Feet (Parisian Vision)
NIGHTOWLS – Check It Out
Calvin Harris – Blame (Jacob Plant Remix)
R.Kelly vs. Astronomar vs. Wax Motif vs. Neoteric – Deep Ignition (Rucca Edit)
Connect with Rucca: (Facebook / Soundcloud / Twitter)