Scott Mercado didn’t know what to expect for Manuok’s first European Tour. Not long into it, the band — consisting of Mercado, Andrew Trecha, Geoff Hill, Jeff Grasmick, and Erik Berg — was pleasantly surprised.

“I felt incredibly lucky for the turnouts and encore requests, especially on our first tour. I couldn’t believe it,” says Mercado, also a touring member of the Black Heart Procession, Via Satellite, and the Album Leaf.

The number of fans who knew Manuok’s melancholic, indie-folk songs surprised Mercado. “When we left for Europe, I wasn’t even sure we knew the songs.”

Apart from the enthusiastic crowds, positive reviews from the European press streamed in throughout the band’s three-week tour to promote the new full-length No End to Limitations.

Halfway through the tour, the band received a glowing write-up from the Berlin venue promoting their upcoming gig. “To call Manuok a side project would be to downplay a truly wonderful act, which deserves hordes of attention and adoration,” read the write-up.

Mercado gives much of the credit to his Italy-based label, Macaco Records, for working for coverage from the press, booking interviews on European radio, and passing out reams of flyers.

Mercado won’t have a chance to reminisce on his Euro-tour for long. Only a week after returning to San Diego, Mercado heads back to Europe to play piano, among other instruments, for Los Angeles–based artist Sara Lov.

As for Manuok’s future plans for a tour closer to home: “I’m always trying to at least book something up the coast every couple of months. Lord knows I don’t idle well.”