Rushkeys, real name Domas Ruškys, is a Lithuanian electronic artist and producer based in Vilnius. Blending dreamy melodies with solid rhythmic grooves, his sound blurs the line between downtempo and organic house. Rushkeys uses music as a means to express himself in truth and create connections. By fusing together electronic, organic, and world elements that are typically distinct, his sonic storytelling style communicates his emotions and experiences, drawing listeners into his unique artistic perspective. Having grown up in a small town near the Baltic Sea, nature is a key creative inspiration for Rushkeys’ sound: he infuses every track with foley and organic textures to create a grounding yet otherworldly listening experience. His style further draws on elements from genres like ambient and chillwave.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Hello Rushkeys. What made you want to become a musician?
Hey Kamil, thanks for having me. I was born and grew up in a musical environment, so I naturally chose this path. It has always been the thing that interests me the most.
Who helped you most in your musical journey?
My mother, while working at a music school, saw my inclination towards music, so she took me to it. Of course, these lessons and subsequent studies at the Academy of Music contributed to my perception of it. However, I think that nowadays a musical education is not necessary in order to create on your own. When I became interested in the creation of electronic music in my teenage years, there was almost no information about it, so I had to search and experiment by myself. Now my wife, who works in a similar field, helps a lot. She is always the first to hear about my new work and give her opinion, which does not necessarily coincide with mine. This encourages productive discussions that help a lot.
Your latest release is 'Outlook'. Can you share with us the background of its creation and did any unusual things happen during its creation?
It is like a summary of the changes that happened in both my musical and personal life, so it is inspired by my experiences. To convey this, I used textural field recordings from a diverse variety of places. I also played my new digital wind instrument, the Roland Aerophone, for the first time in this EP, giving my tracks a distinctive instrumental speech.
What social issues are you most passionate about?
The current war in Ukraine and its consequences are an issue I am very concerned about. It hurts to see so many lives destroyed. It started when I was working on an EP, so at the beginning, knowing what was going on, it was difficult to concentrate and work. I also care about mental illness and its correlation with addictions. I think that this is a sensitive problem that we should talk more about.
How do you stay up-to-date with the latest musical trends?
Since I am also a playlist curator, I always follow the news in the field of music that interests me. I check what is released by my favorite artists and labels and what the music blogs write about. Recommendations from people whose musical taste I trust always help too.
Is there a hidden meaning in any of your music?
Every track in my new EP has its own story and meaning. For example, the idea of the track "Kira" came to me when I was visiting my favorite city, Barcelona, and heard a group of people drumming in the park. The word kira means beam of light. It symbolizes this sunny city and is inspired by the rhythmic beauty of the world. "High Tide" is about the magic of dreams and how they transport you to a place that you need to go in order to escape.
What’s an average day like for you?
Since music is both my passion and work, my day revolves around it. It is important for me to establish a routine and stick to it. This is how I manage to keep the balance.
Please discuss how you interact with and respond to fans.
In my music, I try to be sincere and express myself in truth, so the biggest appreciation is when I see people's interest in what I do. It makes all the effort worthwhile. At the moment, my interaction with fans frequently occurs through social network, but I am glad that I had the opportunity to meet some of those people in real life.
What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?
First of all, I would advise you to find your true creative voice, a sound that is really close to you, and follow it rather than chasing what is popular at the moment. I think that the listener can certainly feel what is real and sincere. Never stop being interested and constantly look for something new, and when you find it, take it seriously. The most important thing is not to throw everything away and not to stop regardless of success or failure. People who don't give up long enough achieve their goals and dreams.
What are your plans for the future?
I want to continue developing and expanding my voice as an artist. I'm already working on new material and some interesting collaborations, which I hope to share soon.