Casey Rucker; aka Ghost of Rucker

Mayfly Records continues in pointing a well deserved spotlight on its roster. In WordPress form.  *cough*

Today’s interview is with the artist formerly known as … DJ Rucker. Yet so very many of us know him better, and have fallen for his most recent of personas, Ghost of Rucker. 

Pioneering what has become known as the Ghost-Fi genre, Casey Rucker, as an artist in the good ol’ A/V*, is entirely unique. I am willing to bet that you, the reader, has never experienced anything quite like Ghost of Rucker.

• A/V = Audio Visuals

He has been described (to this writer) as, ‘one of the kindest, most selfless people in the… music scene’. And from what I know of him, I’d find it hard to believe that anyone could challenge that observation. Few, I find, are as supportive and humble. 

His music has been described (by this writer) as a balm. 

balm | bä(l)m 
• something that has a comforting, soothing, or restorative effect: 
the murmur of the water can provide balm for troubled spirits.

I relate an earful of Ghost of Rucker to a meditation session; a time to step back from oneself and reflect upon whatever it is that requires reflection. And in doing so, I come out the better. 

Q: Tell us a little about yourself. 

GOR: Hi! I’m Casey Rucker, 40 years young, living in Rochester, Minnesota. I’ve got two awesome kids and a fantastic better half who keeps me grounded.

What are some of the things that have shaped you? 

When I was five, my family moved from Phoenix, Arizona to Rochester, Minnesota. It was there that I met my very first best friends—Hmong kids who welcomed me into their vibrant culture and family with open arms. That early connection sparked a lifelong appreciation for Asian cultures.

As I grew up, I was fortunate to form close friendships with Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Laotian peers. Each relationship deepened my respect and love for their traditions, especially Japanese culture, which holds a special place in my heart.

Those experiences have profoundly shaped the person I am today. One of my biggest dreams is to visit Japan and immerse myself in the culture that inspired me from such a young age.

What are some of the things you are most proud of? 

My children are my greatest pride. Watching them grow into thoughtful, intelligent, kind-hearted souls fills me with a quiet joy that words can barely hold. They are becoming the kind of people the world needs more of, and I’m deeply honored to be their father on this journey.

Who are some of your favorite artists? 

My favorite artists span styles and eras, each one shaping the way I see and feel the world. I’m drawn to the raw power of Deftones, Tool, Metallica, Korn, Kittie, and Baby Metal. I admire the experimental edge of Bärkər, Land of the Loops (Alan Sutherland), Subtlety, Multivariate Outliers, and Histheory. The nostalgic vibes of Sublime and American Head Charge still echo in me, while the indie charm of The Drums and Elkland brings a different kind of joy. I’m inspired by Plains Desperate Symphony, Joe Booe, Black Marine, Feminoise, Storm Kingdom, Arwr Neb, Viking1, Mobius Hills, and so many others in the community whose names deserve their own spotlight. I love you all.

As a kid, I was deeply into video game music and movie soundtracks. Those melodies stayed with me. I also have a deep appreciation for traditional Japanese and Chinese music, where every note feels like a quiet journey through history, which are my biggest musical inspirations.

What is your favorite book?

I am torn between “The Tao of Jeet Kune Do” by Bruce Lee and “The Way of The Samurai” by Inazo Nitobe

Is happiness the primary gauge in Life? And if not, what is? 

Definitely. Happiness is not only my own, but also the happiness of those around me. When suffering surrounds you, it becomes part of you. Your own peace cannot fully bloom until others find theirs.

Q: Now as an artist:

When was it that you decided that music and/or sound design was a passion? 

Is it a passion? 

Music is definitely a passion of mine. I’ve been drawn to instruments for as long as I can remember. There was never a time I felt any differently about it. I did shift from playing real instruments to electronic instruments. Mostly because I want to use many instruments in the music I create, and to buy a Sitar or a shamisen is way out of my price range, but VST’s aren’t. Maybe someday if I randomly become weaththy, I will use real traditional instruments. I’ve always wanted to create music, and I’ve always loved it. Life would seriously suck without it.

Why is it your passion?

Music has carried me through some of the darkest and most difficult moments of my life. It speaks a language that everyone understands, and its power is undeniable. Like medicine, it can heal wounds you didn’t know you had. It can lift you, inspire you, and transport you to places beyond imagination. I’ve always wanted to be part of that magic in any way I could.

 "One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain."

- Bob Marley

What is it that you are trying to get across to the listeners you manage to snare?  

My only goal is to create music that helps people feel a little better. The world can feel heavy and sad at times, especially as of late, and I’m trying to offer an escape, even if just for a few minutes, and requires no ticket to ride. I don’t expect anything in return, though I deeply and sincerely appreciate every comment, donation, and friendship that comes my way.

Even if no one listened, I would still keep sharing my music with anyone who might find comfort, hope, or healing in it. That’s what it’s all about.

Many claim that we do this for ourselves – but if that were truly the case, we’d all pull an Emily Dickinson.

From where have you gained the confidence to put yourself out there (musically or otherwise)? 

When I first began my journey as a young and pretty dumb.. DJ Rucker, I only showed close friends, then, with some confidence and a few shots of Captain Morgan, I uploaded four songs to my MySpace page, full of hope, fear of rejection and excitement. The very first comment I received was harsh and discouraging. It shook my confidence, and for a while, I hesitated to share my music again. 

By 2023, I was seriously considering giving up. I felt like no one connected with what I was creating, likely because it had no vision, I was just making weird music with no purpose really, although some songs were ok, only a few liked. When I told my children I was going to stop, they begged me not to stop. They told me my instrumental songs helped them sleep, that it brought them comfort. That moment changed everything.

I decided to reinvent myself. DJ Rucker felt like a chapter that had Died, The artist himself, had died, and so I embraced a new identity, Ghost of Rucker. I shifted genres and went back to my roots of Japanese music and video game music, something that always relaxes me. I created a Facebook page, launched a TikTok, and converted my YouTube and Instagram accounts.

The first song I released under this new name was Dim Sum and Tears. After a few more tracks, someone left a comment that felt like a mini review. I wish I remembered their name, but their words made me feel truly seen. It gave me the push I needed to keep going.

Through this journey, I connected with incredible artists like Bärkər, Plains Desperate Symphony, Histheory, Drew Nold, Lost Cause Industry, Vox & Stix, and Nick Lang, among many more. They welcomed me into a community that has transformed my life in ways I never expected.

This community gave me hope, friendship, and a reason to keep creating. I’ll never forget that.

And there you have it, a deeper insight into the Man behind the Ghost. Thank you for reading. In addition to his own Bandcamp page (*linked above*), you can find the good works (and deeds!) of Ghost of Rucker at his personal website. 

L’Imagination Au Pouvoir.