One of the most important things in life is having time to reconnect with yourself, entering into your own world and recollecting your energy.  Most people can’t find the time for such nonsense but once the sounds of Rumspringa begin to play, your soul can’t help but release itself from the daily grind and lift up into the waves that resonate from Joey Stevens’s guitar and drum line provided by Itaru de la Vega.

The moment they get on stage, Stevens and de la Vega assess the vibe of the people they are playing to and adapt quickly to play to their crowd.  Starting the show with “Shake ‘Em Loose,” Rumspringa channeled old rock and introduced themselves with a comfortably long and mellow jam.  Stevens even threw out noise-makers and maracas during “Catfish Blues,” incorporating the audience’s abilities to catch onto the Rumspringa wave and ride it all the way through the end of the set.

Today’s answer to rock, Rumspringa channels the roots of the genre and bring pride back to the electric guitar.  Stevens and de la Vega have such command of the stage and their instruments that you get lost in their natural talent. Stevens creates multiple melodies using Little Lupe, a memory pedal that makes Rumspringa’s intricacies possible.  As for de la Vega’s vigorous and acute drumming, I’ll just assume that while on stage, he grows six arms to take complete charge and keep up with Stevens’ quick-fingered guitar playing.

Rumspringa brings a new meaning to jam band.  They are a mixture of great instrumental breakdowns and psychedelic riffs with songs that blend into each other and create equilibrium between the music and the listener.  Their new untitled song sums up their expansive range of talent and musical concepts, integrating the most influential original roots of rock.  Stevens completes the classic image by singing into an old-fashioned microphone and pacing the stage in his socks.

Their set was short but sweet and regardless, Rumspringa will always leave you feeling refreshed, reawakened and satisfied.

—Britt Witt