I was introduced to Lake Street Dive by my Gen X dad. A band founded 20 years ago in Boston,
Massachusetts by a couple of college students at the New England Conservatory of Music. I sat
in the passenger seat and in the dull silence of another car ride stuck in traffic my dad rapidly
turned up the volume and a harmonious pour of brass instruments flooded our car. Rachel
Price’s velvety rich voice echoed the delicate plucking of an acoustic bass in a whirlwind of
perfect synchronous harmony. From my first listen I was completely enthralled, but with 3.2
million monthly listeners I didn’t have other people my age to talk about them with.
As the years went on, Lake Street Dive saw an influx of success, releasing a total of 10 albums
and 6 singles in 20 years. In 2014 they appeared in “Another Day, Another Time” a recorded
concert to celebrate the Coen Brothers’ folk revival-themed move, “Inside Llewyn Davis”. This is
where they captured my dad’s heart and if it weren’t for him I never would’ve discovered the
power of smooth sax solo. I am originally from Miami, Florida so when I moved up north to D.C.
amid my homesickness I found comfort in the songs my dad played in the car. It combated my
longing for home with a bittersweet memory of tapping my fingers on a steering wheel. Recently
I fell upon the opportunity to see Lake Street Dive live at the Merriweather Post Pavillion on
Sept. 13, 2024. As I walked towards the venue, I was immediately welcomed by a crowd
where everyone was at least 30 years older than me and honestly at least 10 years older than
the band.
As the concert started and Rachel swung and danced through her songs, some songs were an
immediate hit with the audience, causing the couple next to me to twirl each other to the smooth
sounds of the beautifully played saxophone. Others were met with an approving toe tap and
head nod. With a capacity of 19,000, it was by far the most respectful concert I had ever been
to. Every song was heard. By “heard” I mean really truly heard. I’ve been to 16 concerts and
counting but this was the only concert I had ever been to where when the singer spoke her
words were followed by gentle claps and quick cheers, never a shout. It was so respectful that
Rachel ventured into the audience during “Dance With a Stranger” their hit song off of their
newest album, “Good Together”. She twirled with her fans, passed the mic along and danced.
She was accompanied by no more than two security guards holding a flashlight to the stairs.
And when the song was done, she skipped her way back on stage with every hair still perfectly
in place.
As I swayed to the songs I realized what it was about this band that generated an audience of
people decades older than them. Lake Street Dive produces a smooth balance of soul, funk,
jazz, and pop music that bonds generations. I saw a generation typically confined to the
comfiest seat at a party, rambunctious and lively. Friends holding hands and twirling like they
were 17 again, kissing their partners’ cheeks and giggling. Lake Street Dive tackles heavy
topics like feminism, gender disparity, mental health, politics and global warming in a happy-go-
lucky tune. These topics that tear generations further apart, but as I stood among people three
times my age I saw hope. I was surrounded by a joy I hadn’t experienced before, it was nostalgia
and it was pouring off the sultry chords of their music. There is something about a
well-placed sax solo that bonds a crowd of 19,000 people of any age, any race, and any gender
and Lake Street Dive knows exactly where to put it.
To finish off my first WVAU piece I’ll leave you all with my top five Lake Street Dive hits:
- You Go Down Smooth
- Baby Don’t Leave Me Alone With My Thoughts
- Good Kisser
- Rich Girl
- Bad Self Portraits