Rusty Lazer is a DJ from New Orleans, Louisiana that specializes in the street music of his adopted home town.

Though known primarily as the live DJ and creative partner of gender-bending Sissy Bounce Rapper Big Freedia, as a solo DJ Rusty Lazer spins songs from the three hundred year old repertoire of street music his decadent city has to offer. In a single set, dancers are likely to hear the hypnotic beat of the Mardi Gras Indians, Hot Jazz from the early 20th century, Twists from the 50’s, Soul and R&B from the 1960’s and 70’s, Brass Band jams stretching across all of these eras and even the modern block party sounds of NOLA Hip Hop and the most up to date, fresh-from-the-streets Bounce Music (plus anything else he’s in love with that makes the booties go!). Other Music Records in New York calls his set “a sweaty, mega-mix crash course in the hard and nasty sound of the ‘Nolia (New Orleans). Rusty Lazer ain’t for the prudes, but it’s some of the most infectious dance music you’ll ever hear if you’re not familiar.” He has performed throughout Europe, the U.S., China and Japan and created soundtracks for circuses, plays and performance art spectacles in museums and galleries . Rusty is currently working live with Queer and Transgender Bounce superstars like Big Freedia and Katey Red, and managing next generation artist Nicky Da B, while maintaining a dedication to musical and artistic activism through his not-for-profit New Orleans Airlift Project (www.neworleansairlift.org)

In 2009 Rusty performed for Deitch Projects at Art Basel in Miami and at multiple benefit shows for Swimming Cities of Serenissima by installation artist Swoon. 2010 saw the rise of Big Freedia and Rusty’s collaborative efforts come to fruition with headlining shows at South By Southwest and Mess With Texas, North By Northeast, Sled Island, FYF Fest, MusicfestNW with Major Lazer, and at Windish Agency’s events at CMJ. 2011 is growing steadily with the release of Scion’s Big Freedia EP and video for Y’all Get Back Now (both executive-produced by Rusty) and upcoming US, European and Australian tours.

Rusty is working with Nicky Da B throughout SXSW.