Rusted Root - Woodstock veterans celebrate 20 years with tour and new album
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Date: 08/04/2009 From: rustedroot.com Submitted By: Flyer Related Artist: Rusted Root Email This To Someone |
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Woodstock.com: What does Woodstock represent to you?
MG: Its an unfulfilled dream really. I think the original concert was a few promoters out to capitalize on the excitement of the time, but the people's quest for a pure experience of love, compassion, and music, overtook any one persons thoughts or plans. It seemed like a really great acid trip. One where people got to see what is possible with love and compassion but also with a pure communal meditation and focus. Not to say that everyone at Woodstock was on acid but the undeniable quest was the same of a very spiritual acid trip.
Woodstock.com: You performed at Woodstock 99. What are your memories of the festival and your performance there?
MG: Fear! Fear was all over me. I had been around enough big events to know that something wasn't right with this one. Upon arrival the energy was really tense and thick. It wasn't at all what I had expected. I decided to walk back and forth behind the stage- chanting and connecting my energy deep in the earth. I felt like the whole event was already out of control and the only thing I could do was concentrate on myself. After an hour or so I went up on stage while they were switching the gear. I sat in the middle and just strummed on my guitar and sang very quietly to myself. Slowly fans started to recognize me amongst all the crew members. They gave cheers at first then just kind of watched quietly wondering what I was doing. It was a good feeling. I felt like we were creating a web of energy around the crowd that was grounding the chaos. Once we started playing I felt like I could control the situation. It was a real achievement , it got written later that we were the one band in '99 that delivered a performance that was in the spirit of the original Woodstock. As we were leaving we were watching the rest of the concert live on satellite...we were barely out of the gate when the fires started.
Woodstock.com: Would you have attended Woodstock in 1969? Which bands would you have wanted to see?
MG: Sure- I would have wanted to see everyone play. Also would have been checking out all the hippy chicks.
Woodstock.com: It's Woodstock's 40th anniversary this summer, and your 20th? What do you attribute your longevity to?
MG: Short-term memory loss keeps it really fresh for me! No!(Laughs) ...music is a path that takes a lot of skill and continual learning to stay on. Its not for the faint of heart. It takes brutal honesty and communication to keep this thing going.
Woodstock.com: How has the jam band scene changed from when you started out?
MG:When we started the jam band scene had bands that mostly sounded like the Grateful Dead and then it very quickly started embracing us and many other bands that didn't do the long guitar solo's but had a an improvisational aspect. Now its seems like its going back towards only the Grateful Dead sound.
Woodstock.com: How do you keep your live shows fun for you and fresh for your fans?
MG: We just put out a new record and its getting a great response. People are saying its our best one yet. I tend to write for the live show as well as for the recording. Its always the most exciting part- playing the new material in with the older songs. It gives the whole thing a new meaning. We also have been creating more grassroots events with our fans. When we released the new record we had a lemonade stand in Pittsburgh and gave out free lemonade. We are now going to farmers markets and local organic farms and putting on concerts. Its a good way to make it real.
Woodstock.com: Who are your favorite new or up-and-coming artists or bands?
MG: I'm working on writing the next Rusted Root record and a solo record. And when I write I try not to listen to anything.
Woodstock.com: Who are some of your favorite bands (from all time)?
MG: I tend to like people who encompass a wide range of emotion and energy.....like John Lennon or Neil young.
Woodstock.com: What would you like fans to know about your new album?
MG: Its our best yet and there's more on the way.
Woodstock.com: What advice would you offer to bands just starting out, especially in today's ever-changing music business?
MG: Everything revolves around the live show. It is the foundation. Its the ritual. All the other types of marketing are secondary.
Woodstock.com: What is your opinion of the resurgence of the festival scene?
MG: I like the ones that have a healing personality to them. Like the Grassroots festival in Trumansburg NY, or the Blue Herron in Jamestown. Those are the best and very sustainable.
Woodstock.com: Many bands have built communities around touring. With the popularity of online sites like Myspace and Facebook, what do you see as the future of "community?"
MG: Just the same. The tour is king and it will be required and easier to get lots of content on the web. More and more venues will start having video streaming capabilities etc..
Woodstock.com: What green, sustainable living and/or social causes do you support?
MG: We have quite the list...but we are focusing right now on local organic farming. Its a common sense issue. We're working with Localharvest.org right now and going to farmers markets while on our tour.
To see Rusted Root videos please visit http://www.youtube.com/user/OfficialRustedRoot.
To purchase Rusted Root's newest album, Stereo Radio, please visit Amazon.com
Visit the Rusted Root Woodstock.com Page for tour info.
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"I enjoyed the show you put on last night, wished you could've sang all night. I have been missing me some Maxwell, so glad to have you back!! It's been a long time coming and well worth the wait. Sho wish that it was me you was putting those moves on:)..."