‘Rushadicus’ launches 18-city West Cost tour in Ashland
By Art Van Kraft for Ashland.news
One of the nation’s most unique cellists begins his West Coast tour in Ashland this week. “Rushadicus” (Rushad Eggleston) take to the stage at Oberon’s Thursday, Aug. 1. The artists’ provocative performances have launched him into the spotlight. Ashland is the first stop on an 18-city tour that includes Seattle, Portland and Los Angeles.
Ryan Masters is Rushadicus friend and manager. He organized the tour to expose to a wide audience what he calls Rushadicus’s genius.
“Why am I doing this is probably the best question. I’m in awe of the cosmic tap of everlasting goblin music that is Rushadicus. I genuinely believe he is making great art. Bear a few ideas in mind while you consider what this dude is up to,” Masters said.
“Like Pablo Picasso, Rushadicus mastered his craft before choosing to deconstruct its form. Like Salvador Dali, Rushadicus does not do drugs … he is drugs. Rushadicus is sober when he performs live. Like a fox, Rushadicus is crazy. In fact, he is one of the sanest people we know,” Masters added.
The deets
Rushadicus plays at Oberon’s from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, 45 N. Main St., by Ashland Plaza. Admission is free.
“Rushadicus developed ‘Sneth Metal,’ a new sound that defies all expectations, logic and form. It’s virtuoso improvisation and wild, immersive theater. It’s hilarious. It’s deeply disturbing. It’s great art that rejects the traditional forms of music and deconstructs the very idea of entertainment,” Masters said.
The cellist provocateur and performance artist had a formal music education at Berklee College of Music. His work in the bluegrass, Americana and rock worlds garnered awards and international recognition. He’s a Grammy-nominated musician with the Fiddlers Four who played bluegrass music with a cello.
According to Masters, Rushad is one of the nation’s most lauded strings players choosing performance art over bluegrass/Americana fame.
“He turned his back on traditional music a few years ago and now plays basically black metal on the cello while performing something of a grotesque clown show. It’s hard to explain, but totally unforgettable,” Masters added.
Art Van Kraft is an artist living in Ashland and a former broadcast journalist and news director of a Los Angeles-area National Public Radio affiliate. Email him at artukraft@msn.com.
