If you’re going to dream, dream big. That’s Michael Glabicki’s mantra. When the leader of Rusted Root was asked about the new material the eclectic rock act will render when it performs Friday, Dec. 12 at Infinity Hall Hartford and Saturday, Dec. 13 at Infinity Hall Norfolk, Glabicki laughed. “It’s going to be the best bleeping thing you ever heard,” Glabicki said.
Even though Glabicki giggled when detailing the five fresh songs he intends to play in Connecticut, he was serious. “I really love this new collection of songs. I think the new stuff is that good. It’s good solid, songwriting with some rippin’ grooves and real rock and roll, screaming kind of stuff that we haven’t done before. It’s kind of blown our minds. I’m excited about this next album, which should be out next summer. I’m so excited that I think Rusted Root can be bigger than Adele right now. I think we can put a song out there that connects with kids and everybody else. I still think we can hit the top of the charts.”
Strong words from a band that is truly alternative, in an era in which that overused adjective is a misnomer for most acts.
Rusted Root, which has incorporated African, Middle-Eastern and Latin sounds into its jammy rock gumbo, is an adventurous act, that has sold more than three million albums.
“Send Me On My Way,” is perhaps the best known Rusted Root track. The cut has been used in Enterprise Car Rental commercials and in a number of films.
“They paid us pretty good for the use of that song but I can’t buy a house or even a car from it,” Glabicki said during a telephone interview from his Pittsburgh home. “But it freed me up to be able to spend a few months working on songs.”
Rusted Root, which also includes bassist Patrick Norman, percussionist-vocalist Liz Berlin, guitarist Dirk Miller and percussionist Preach Freedom, has always taken sonic chances.
“But that’s the era we came up in,” Glabicki said. “That’s what bands did back then. We formed back then (1990) when bands did what they wanted and back then there was development. If we formed today, I’m sure we would do the same thing but that was the last wave when recording artists did what they wanted to do and we’re still playing that way since that’s just how we operate. Our new songs are a testament to that.”
There has always been an authenticity and sincerity behind the songs Glabicki has written, which often include religious references. He has no problem writing personal tunes, which leave him vulnerable. “That’s because I’m real and I come from a real place,” Glabicki said. “It’s not about striking a pose and being cool with me or Rusted Root. I couldn’t be cool if I tried but I’m real no matter what style I write in.”
Fans can count on Rusted Root to continually challenge itself. “I never wanted to sit still as a songwriter,” Glabicki said. “Why make the same song again and again? I remember growing up being blown away by the first Van Halen album. Then when you heard Van Halen “2,” it was still rock and roll but it was a different album than their debut album. That’s normal. You go out and you challenge yourself. That’s what we’re still doing today. I want to push it as far as it can go just like the recording artists I grew up with did, like Cat Stevens and Van Halen and U2.”
Each of those recording artists had their share of huge hits, which is something Glabicki still believes is within reach nearly a quarter century after forming Rusted Root. “We haven’t had that yet but you can still hope for it,” Glabicki said. “If we ever get that big smash hit, that would be awesome but if not, we’ll just continue trying.”
Glabicki is dreaming again, which isn’t surprising since he’s a singer-songwriter. The deck is stacked against those hoping to become successful recording artists from the start.
“If I’ve been able to find a way to make a living at this, anything’s possible, right?”
RUSTED ROOT appears Friday, Dec. 12, at Infinity Hall, 32 Front St., Hartford. Tickets are $35 and $69. Show time is 8 p.m. A second concert is scheduled 8 p.m Saturday, Dec. 13, at Infinity Hall, 20 Greenwoods Road, Norfolk. Tickets are $49 and $69. For tickets, call 866-666-6306 or visit www.infinityhall.com.
