Welcome Featured Artist,
Rumspringa (n) : an Amish rite of passage; the practice of releasing teenagers to explore the outside world, its sins and pleasures.
This week's Featured Band is Rumpsringa, an LA based band that I found on Pandora. I love discovering new bands, and was pleased to discover Rumspringa. There take on modern rock, blended quietly with Blues and old school rock-n-roll caught my ears. Rumsprigna aims to awaken the inner fire of its listeners. A sound that gives a nod to their predecessors in the early days of Rock-n-Roll, when Rock was taboo. According to front-man Joey Stevens "We declared ourselves to be on our own version of Rumspringa. To step away from all the self-serving surface of the mainstream music culture, and to get back to the heart of discovering the soul of rock through the roots of its creation."
1. What is the name of your band? What is the origin of that name? Have you changed the band's name before?
Joey named the band Rumspringa. It never had a previous name. I think the term is associated most with the Amish but I’m pretty sure other religious sects also use the word. I guess the literal translation means to “run around;” which would be appropriate for the time period when adolescents of said communities are allowed to temporarily indulge in previously unacceptable activities (wearing tie dye thongs and hitting the crack bong) before choosing to remain part of or leave that community.
2. Who are you?
Ricardo, 25, bass guitar; Andrew, 32, drums; Cecilia, 22, guitar; Joey, 24, guitar.
3. What genre of music do you consider your work to be?
Simply, we should probably say rock. When we have been asked to define the sound of the band, and when other people have been asked to, it has been consistently difficult. The song “Sway” probably best represents the band’s sound. I’ve heard and read it described as hypnotic/bluesy/danceable. The band used to be a two piece. Even back then Joey alone was pulling from a wide range of influences including blues, psychedelic rock, and hip-hop. With Cecilia, Andrew, and me all writing also (though it’s mostly Joey), the sound has evolved slightly. I would say the most distinctive part of our style is the finger picking that Joey and Cecilia do. There’s no strumming, palm muting, or Pete Townshend windmills. It sounds more fluid and intricate. That long answer probably didn’t help at all.
4. Who are your major influences?
I’m going to try to speak for everyone and name influences that we have in common: weirdo art bands like the Dirty Projectors and Captain Beefheart; psychedelic rock and garage/proto-punk bands like the 13th Floor Elevators, the Stooges, and Richard Hell; some blues- mostly on Joey’s end- Howlin’ Wolf and R.L. Burnside. But if we’re together listening to music it will most likely be something like Tuvan throat singing or Gregorian chants.
5. How long have you all known each other? How did you meet?
I believe Joey met Andrew through Manny Nieto who produced the “Sway” album. Andrew was in another band Thinking Aloud and they had recorded with Manny. Cecilia and Joey met through Rumspringa’s old manager who happened to be Cecilia’s friend. Last, I met Joey through a mutual friend that I often make music with. The funny thing is that the first time the four of us got together Cecilia and I realized we went to grammar school together. So, some of us have known each other for about a year while for some of us its more like 12 years!(?)
6. When did you form your band? What inspired you to make music together?
Joey is the only original member. The rest of us plan to steal his writing style and then slowly phase him out of the band without any fans noticing.
7. Can you tell us about the instruments you play? How did you decide to play that particular instrument and what do you love about it?
Cardo- I believe some if not many amateur bassists (of which I would count myself) end up with their instrument because they are relegated to it down from the six string (logic?....“well….if you’re not good at six strings try four!”). During High School I realized how interesting the role of the bassist is and wanted to play it more. Together with the drummer you have to think about making an interesting part that complements the arrangement and other instruments without being distracting or overpowering. Sorry, I can’t really answer for the other members.
8. What are your favorite and least favorite venues to play and why?
We mostly play clubs/bars so naturally, we have a lot of fun at other types of venues. Playing the Long Beach Aquarium and colleges like the San Francisco Art Institute is a great change for us: we get to perform overlooking the bay in SF or surrounded by anemones and jellyfish.
9. What are your favorite songs to play, why? Do you play covers?
We haven’t played covers as a four piece. We typically enjoy performing the newest songs. Everyone in the band writes their own music and I think most creative people are always excited about the newest thing they’re working on. This is the most creative group of people I know.
10. Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs? Do you think this will change over time?
I would say Joey writes something like 60-70 % of the songs since he writes lyrics, plays lead guitar and sings. As far as I can tell the song subjects often include: surreal dream visions, premonitions of the impending apocalypse, relationships and considering one’s place in life. Usually it’s all those though. I think Joey’s matured just in the time that I’ve been in the band. I can tell he puts thought into and often revises songs/lyrics.
Green grass, gnarly trees, the desert, the ocean, telephone poles, other music.
12. Could you briefly describe your music-making process?
The writing process is very collaborative. Typically Joey starts with a riff or chord change. We often will come up with several variations of the idea from there. We all feel free to comment on or suggest parts for each other. It’s entirely synergistic.
13. How has your music evolved since you first began playing music together?
We haven’t been playing music together too long. I think we have settled into our roles and realize each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Cecilia is more confident. Joey growls more. Andrew is steady as always. I play a different bass line every time (because I’m that good or forget the part?).
14. How would you define the word “success”?
I am pretty sure all of us in the band agree that success would be to make a living playing music. Being able to support ourselves solely by doing what we love would be the best gift from life. I think we also agree that success doesn’t necessarily mean having a private jet….think Def Leopard. Andrew looks better with two arms if you ask me. And I’m sure Cece looks better than Aaliyah does right now.
15. What are your goals and dreams, where do you see yourselves in 10 years?
We will be on our private jet.
16. What advice do you have for people who want to form their own bands?
There’s two lessons I have learned from being in too many bands since High School. First, most people don’t self-scrutinize enough. Whether it be the style of playing, song arrangements etc, people tend to think they’re more brilliant than they are which gives us the amazing array of mediocre bands in the world. Second, if you want something done, do it yourself. Maybe this one should just be applied to life in general.
17. Where can you be found?
We’re on the Facebook, the Myspace, Cantora Records website and you can often find us walking around Alhambra and Echo Park.
18. Any last words?
April we have a residency the bootleg theater. We are recording two or three songs so the people that go can get something new. Also we will be recording a second record soon!
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I hope you have enjoyed getting to know Rumspringa. Stop by any one of their Social Media pages, or Cantora Records to stay in touch with them. A special thanks to Ricardo for the Interview.
Thank you!
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