LA.CityZine brings you band, Rumspringa, as part of our Know Your LA Bands series. You may have already heard about them through our review of their EP. You may have also heard about them through word of happy mouths because of their successful Echo residency this past June. Joey Stevens and Itaru de la Vega are two cool guys making groovy, danceable, and rockable music. Think of Devendra Banhart dancing in a club and split into two people. Already hailed as the best kept secret in LA, Rumspringa continues to play shows around LA with their multi-genre tunes.

Still haven’t seen these guys live? It’s okay. They’ve got a show down at the Detroit Bar on Monday, July 21st at 9:00 pm. Go support them as they support Bloodcat Love by dancing your feet off. Can’t make it then, either? There’s more to come. There always is with these guys. For now, here’s your chance to get to know the duo by checking out their video of “Goldmine” and their interview with LA.CityZine below.

What part of LA are you guys from?

Joey: I’m from a town called Alhambra which is part of the San Gabriel Valley; the east side of LA.
Itaru: I’m from Echo Park.

How does your music jump from Americana to Jungle to Crunk?

J: Well in all honesty, we just kind of picked out that string of words because it sounded fun. Pinning down any form or forms of genre to the music has always been a tad humorous, for I like to consider our music a melting pot to many different types of influences. But now that I try and think about it, the Americana would represent influences such as John Fahey, Skip James, CCR… The Jungle would represent the sounds of Chicha that we adore. Chicha is psychedelic Peruvian music that came around the 60s and also the local alcoholic beverage derived from corn which the Peruvians drank. The Crunk would represent the feeling that we get when we play shows.

How did your residency go at The Echo?

J: Magically. We didn’t know what to expect but it lived up to everything I could’ve imagined.

People have called you the best keep secret in LA. What do you think of that?

J: Aww, gosh. Well, let’s just keep it a secret now… Haha. I respect the audience more than anything else, so it’s an absolute honor if that’s what the people suggest.
I: I think it’s true! Hahaha… I mean everyone has their own opinions so EVEN if it were true, it’s only some people’s opinion. Overall, I think it’s a true honor as well to have that label. All I can say is let’s spread the word and not keep it such a secret. We wanna hit the world.

Wikipedia told me that Rumspringa is a period of adolescence in the Amish community. Does this relate to you guys? If not, where did the name of your band come from?

J: There’s a great documentary about Rumspringa called The Devil’s Playground. The inspiration for the band name came from this. I find that every culture has their own form of Rumspringa, and we’re absolutely on that ourselves - Finding our path in our own ways. Ours just happens to be rock and roll, I guess.

Do you prefer gearing up for a tour or coming home from a tour?

J: Gearing up.
I: Both are very different. Leaving means that you have SO much ahead of you and the excitement is HUGE. Coming back on the other hand means we got way better naturally just from all the constant shows and we get to see our friends and show them the new moves! Ha, it’s all good!

You’re definitely playing music you love as well as having people that want it. What’s the greatest thing about a packed show?

J: The unity of it all. The blessed moments when everything just kind of stops. Time, thoughts, pain, sorrow; everything can melt away when the band and the people are on the same wave length. In a way, it’s one of those things that everyone hungers for. The music culture of today is bigger than ever. The number of music festivals, concerts, and all that stuff represents to me how much people want that blissful feeling of being one with the band and singing along to their song. It’s a form of religion if you want to look at it. The Doors stressed how the sharing of music can be a sacred act, and I absolutely agree with them.
I: Yes, the energy that comes with the many souls in a room focusing on what you have to offer. There are only three or so options…They love it and dance, they don’t get it and remain confused, or they simply don’t like it and are disappointed. I only settle with one of them usually and that’s what I strive to achieve during a live set… It’s the best feeling EVER!

I heard you often have fans up on stage with you doing whatever they want. Does that make you feel more comfortable on stage?

J: It can, but it can be the opposite since I rely heavily upon my looping pedals. Every now and again, we’ll get an excited drunk who gets a little too happy with their feet and steps on something, but I love it. Again, a little example of unity.
I: Yes and no. Every person is different. Some know what to do (dance, vibe, look sexy and leave when it’s time). Others simply are either too drunk and break things or don’t know when it’s time for a vibe shift… meaning getting off the stage.

What’s the craziest or weirdest thing that’s happened while you were on stage?

J: Actually, I can’t think of anything too crazy off hand that’s every happened to us while onstage, but playing in front of an audience that is incredibly still, with hands folded even can be a pretty weird feeling for us. Over analysis of the music can be awkward, but hey, whatever floats yer boat.
I: Joey and I took ecstasy and rocked out at Weslyan University (The Eclectic House). It was very weird because I couldn’t focus on playing -just listening… and from what I hear, both go hand in hand.

What are your three must have songs on a dance party mix?

J: “Under My Thumbs”, “Green Onions,” and “Night Train.”
I: “Baby Please Don’t Go” -Them, “On the Road Again” - Canned Heat, “Goldmine Remix” - The Knocks (Wooo!)

Where do you think your guys’ music will be in 10 years?

J: Hmm, 2018. If man’s still around, hopefully, it’ll be in the hands of the Amish.
I: It’s hard to say. Hopefully, in the homes of all good music lovers, but I really want to say in the dust with you and I. The tunes and frequencies will travel into the depth of the universe and into the ears of a different entity in some for or another.

What would be the coolest thing you music could be responsible for? Do you hope for it to be the cause of anything in particular?

J: All we can hope for is to make people smile, move their hips a bit and wonder about it all. Anytime the music becomes something else, other than the music, I feel it digresses.

What’s the best piece of advice someone has ever given you and did you take notice?

J: Don’t do it for any other reason except that it makes you happy to live your passion. Those who readily seek fame for the sake of simply having it usually never get it but if God gave you a gift, then it might just be a good idea to share it with the good people.
I: Wow, what a question. I’d say, “Quit talking and start walking.”

What would your advice be for someone trying to break into the music business?

J: To enjoy each step of the way and not become blinded by the goal; For it’s the process that you will come to miss most when you reach your objective.
I: If you can’t listen to your own music over and over, then don’t expect anyone else to.

Dead or alive: What 5 acts would you have play with you at a festival?

J: Well, I’m going to have to give you a lot of ghosts: Mississippi Fred McDowell, Johnny Lee Hooker, The 13th Floor Elevators, Bo Diddley, and well, The Doors. Why not?
I: Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Canned Heat, Them, 13th Floor Elevators

What’s your favorite song to play live and why?

J: There’s a song we have that we haven’t recorded yet called, “LAnding Ground.” I like the way that one starts out. I also like to envision distant thunder whenever I close my eyes and sing the lyrics. Yeah.
I: Well, mine would be “In the Jungle.” It allows me to relax and vibe the crowd. Plus, I can kind of dance and play a bit easier.

If you could rid the world of one song, what would it be?

J: Shit, that’s a hard question, friend. Ha! Uh, how about that Chicago song that goes, “Does anybody know what time it is?” That song gets me every time, man. That’s a square piece of cheese. My dad just murmured any song by Madonna. So there you go.
I: Any song by All American Rejects. It’s a hard question.

Who would you like to see open for one of your shows?

J: You didn’t specify dead or alive, so I’m going to have to say Mitch Hedberg. Rest his soul.
I: A band of 13 year olds playing some bitchin’ music.

Where is your favorite place to see a band play in LA?

J: The Bordello Bar
I: The Echo or The Troubadour

If you wanted to and had the chance, which two bands would you choose to interview?

J: Michael Yonkers band and The Tough Shits
I: The Backstreet Boys and Fall Out Boy

What’s your favorite music magazine/website?

J: Why LA.CityZine, of course. Duh.
I: Magazine: Rolling Stone or Spin. Website: Whatever is rep’ing the Rumspringa!

What’s your guilty pleasure?

J: Googling underage American Apparel models while listening to ABBA. I’m sure Itaru would say the same except he would be listening to Blink 182.
I: 90’s R&B

What’s the best cure for a hangover?

J: Vomiting and then sleeping.
I: Sleeping!

What would be your perfect LA day?

J: If everyone didn’t drive for one day and instead rode a bicycle.
I: Having gotten back from a tour with plenty of dough so that I don’t have to struggle with that and cooking up some great food at a beach house with all my buddies, kicking back beers and swimming.

Tell us a fact about yourself we probably don’t already know.

J: Let’s see. I enjoy romantic sunset walks along the beach. I love white wine in a partially chilled glass. I am a believer that we will all awake from this dream by the year of 2012 and I love kids.
I: I love bikes and cats.