Standing near the front of the stage with several of my friends, fellow bnb.com-er Laurel, and countless numbers of Rumspringa fans, we anxiously awaited their set to start.  Instead of being greeted with the expected single “sway” the band assaulted the crowd with an infinite number of maracas- and my fellow movers and shakers on either side of me could not have been more elated.  I think my absolute favorite thing about Rumspringa (aside from their completely addicting tracks and tunes) is their effortless ability to make everyone in the crowd feel like an honorary band member.  It’s not about the performing, it’s about the making of music, and its ability to unite friend, foe, and complete stranger instantaneously.  So there we stood, stage-side, me with no musical talent, ready to “shake ‘em loose tonight” along with the rest of the Bootleg Theater inhabitants.

Last night the Bootleg off of Beverly Boulevard played host to Rumspringa’s record release show- and the turn out was incredible.  Apparently this new generation is craving something straight out of the past because everyone and their mother (literally, the entire band accessorized with something of the parental persuasion) showed up to see what Rumspringa 2.0 had been working on so tirelessly.

Their hard work paid off, and people were jamming out to old favorites and new hits alike.  Cecilia jumped on board the Rumspringa train early on in the transition period- making perfect sense since she had done vocals on their first release- when the band included Itaru De La Vega.  After the addition of two other members, Rumspringa 2.0 was born and the next generation brought it full force last night (especially when they played “Sway”).

I caught up with Cecilia pre-performance and when I asked her what’s changing with the new album she professed that each one of the members is a singer/songwriter with their own style and ideas.  She went on to say that Joey’s really excited because it’s more of a combined effort now- a major collaboration between all four kids.  The chemistry is totally evident onstage and the four clearly had so much fun introducing the luckiest of Los Angeles residents to their CD.

Although consistent favorite tracks are “sway” and “queer eyed boy,” Cecilia’s own are “musical chairs” and “witch’s milk”- with which I have to agree!  Aside from those four reasons alone to pick up the CD, currently on repeat for me is “personal effects”- a tune combining their trademark vintage vibe with a little Jack White-ish style rock.

 

 

Eager to hear them play again (and live out my dream as band member/ maraca connoisseur) I pleaded with Cecilia to let me in on their upcoming plans regarding touring, performing, etc.  Lucky for me she said they were planning on introducing all of L.A. to their latest and greatest addition to musical libraries- so I recommend seeing them before they split to share with other states.  Check out RumspringaMusic.com to run around with the fab four.  Supplying your own maracas and or tambourine is not a bad idea- those things go like hot cakes.