"Yesterday, lost in a crowd. Yesterday, lost in a crowd. Lost, lost, now I'm found," sang Rusted Root's Mike Glabicki. Many Washington College students and visiting fans also lost themselves in the moderate sized crowd, dancing and singing along to the band's harmonious grooves.
After a two-year break spent pursuing personal creative endeavors and recording their new album, Welcome to My Party, Rusted Root picked up their penny whistles, guitars, talking drums and cymbals to perform at Washington College's LFC building.
A largely underground, live band, it was not surprising that many students came to the show only knowing the band's radio hit, "Send Me on My Way". However, the energizing blend of old favorites and fresh material caused many to join the ranks of their diverse and devoted fan base.
Rusted Root brought the whole world to Chestertown with their Latin, African and Eastern influenced music. They feel that experiencing other cultures has allowed them to expand and elevate their sound.
Bassist Patrick Norman said of recent trips to Jamaica and Mexico, "You see what's influencing people. If you keep your ears open you can hear what's going on with traditional music in other countries."
These methods proved a success on stage, especially with their new, reggae-influenced song "Too Much", which vocalist and percussionist Liz Berlin considers her favorite.
She said, "It wasn't a bass line anymore. It took on its own personality. It's a little animal."
Another highlight of the concert was a long percussive jam, comparable to African drum circles. The band took cues from each other, providing an energetic, natural rhythm that obliged many people to let go and dance.
Vocalist, guitarist and percussionist Jenn Wertz attributes the band's intuitive ability to harmonize and play off of each other to the "foundation" they built in their early years, when they practiced for "five hours a night, six days a week."
She said, "It was great for the music because it was a working process of learning to communicate with each other."
Norman agrees, and advises any developing musicians at Washington College to take part in the same tireless rehearsing.
He said, "Music is like communication, it's like a language and if you practice that language for a long time, you can say anything without worrying about it."
Another opinion shared by the band is a general dislike for rowdy crowds.
Norman said, "There's etiquette when you come to a show. I can't be creative if I'm worrying about people getting landed on in the front row. We've walked off stage before because people were getting hurt. Sometimes it's just like, yo, 'chill.'"
They saved the best for the last of their two-hour show with their lively and cheerful hit, "Send Me on My Way," in which their enthusiasm was matched by cheers from the audience.
300 Washington Avenue, Chestertown, Maryland 21620 | 410-778-2800 | 800-422-1782