Digest

Mark Marin, a comedian and podcaster, interviews Trey Anastasio, the frontman of the jam band Phish. Marin admits that he was initially skeptical of Phish, but after listening to their music in preparation for the interview, he discovered a newfound appreciation for their musical complexity and virtuosity. Anastasio discusses the band's origins in Burlington, Vermont, where they developed their unique sound and built a dedicated fan base. He also talks about the influence of other musicians on his own musical development, including Peter Gabriel, King Crimson, and Carlos Santana. The conversation touches on the challenges of navigating a career in music, particularly the pressure to meet the expectations of a large and passionate fan base. Anastasio reflects on the band's evolution over the years and how they have remained true to their artistic vision despite the changing landscape of the music industry. Anastasio also discusses the darkness that came with the band's success, including drug use and a large backstage scene. He describes how the band's backstage scene grew to include thousands of people, and how the band eventually had to take breaks from touring to deal with the pressure and the darkness. Anastasio also discusses his own struggles with addiction and how he eventually got sober. He talks about the importance of community and shared experiences in shaping the band's identity and their relationship with their fans. Anastasio also discusses the importance of improvisation in Phish's music and how it allows the band to explore new musical ideas and create a unique and unpredictable experience for their fans. Anastasio also emphasizes the importance of owning your own unique style and not comparing yourself to others. He uses Keith Richards as an example, noting that Richards's unique style and confidence in his own abilities are what make him so iconic. Anastasio also discusses the importance of finding your own voice and not being afraid to be different. He encourages listeners to embrace their individuality and to not be afraid to take risks in their creative pursuits. Marin and Anastasio also discuss the importance of community and shared experiences in shaping the band's identity and their relationship with their fans. Anastasio also discusses the importance of improvisation in Phish's music and how it allows the band to explore new musical ideas and create a unique and unpredictable experience for their fans.

Outlines

00:00:00

Podcast Introduction and Sponsorship

This Chapter introduces the podcast and its sponsor, Squarespace. It highlights the versatility of Squarespace for creating websites and provides a code for a discount on the first purchase.

00:00:50

Mark Marin's Introduction and Reflections on Recent Events

This Chapter begins with Mark Marin's introduction and his reflections on the recent events in America, particularly the attempted shooting of Donald Trump. He discusses his feelings of isolation and anxiety while being in Canada during this time and how he processes these emotions through stand-up comedy.

00:02:05

Trey Anastasio's Introduction and the Upcoming Interview

This Chapter introduces Trey Anastasio, the frontman of Phish, as a guest on the podcast. Marin expresses his initial skepticism about Phish and his lack of familiarity with their music. He also mentions that he will be discussing his recent encounter with Anastasio in a later segment.

00:07:55

Mark Marin's Perspective on Phish and Jam Bands

This Chapter delves into Mark Marin's initial reluctance to interview Trey Anastasio due to his unfamiliarity with Phish and his general aversion to jam bands. He explains his reasons for this skepticism, including his preference for concise music over extended jams. He also discusses the pressure he felt from fans to interview Anastasio and his concerns about being disrespectful to the band's music.

00:12:42

Interview with Trey Anastasio

This Chapter marks the beginning of the interview with Trey Anastasio. Marin acknowledges his lack of knowledge about Phish and Anastasio's history, and Anastasio expresses his understanding of Marin's perspective. The conversation explores Anastasio's musical influences, his early experiences with music, and his journey to becoming a musician.

00:32:26

Trey Anastasio's Early Musical Influences and Experiences

This Chapter delves into Trey Anastasio's early musical influences and experiences. He discusses his childhood in New Jersey, his early exposure to music through his parents' record collection, and his decision to pursue music in college. He also talks about his early experiences with bands and his transition from drums to guitar.

00:41:30

Trey Anastasio's Songwriting Partnership and the Social Scene of Phish

This Chapter explores Trey Anastasio's songwriting partnership with Tom Marshall and the social scene that surrounded the early days of Phish. Anastasio describes how their songwriting process evolved from casual jam sessions to a more structured approach. He also emphasizes the importance of community and shared experiences in shaping the band's identity.

00:43:25

The Influence of Bread and Puppet on Phish's Festivals

This Chapter discusses the influence of the Bread and Puppet Theater on Phish's decision to create their own festivals. Anastasio describes the impact of Bread and Puppet's annual festival in Vermont on his own artistic vision and the band's desire to create a similar experience for their fans.

00:53:23

The Dark Side of Phish's Success

This Chapter delves into the darker side of Phish's success, including the band's struggles with drug use and a large backstage scene. Anastasio describes how the band's backstage scene grew to include thousands of people, and how the band eventually had to take breaks from touring to deal with the pressure and the darkness. Anastasio also discusses his own struggles with addiction and how he eventually got sober.

01:19:04

Trey Anastasio's Sobriety and the Band's Return

This Chapter discusses Trey Anastasio's journey to sobriety and the band's return to touring after a break. Anastasio describes how he got sober and how the band's backstage scene changed after he got clean. He also discusses the importance of community and shared experiences in shaping the band's identity and their relationship with their fans.

01:24:36

The Spirituality of Phish's Music

This Chapter explores the spirituality of Phish's music. Anastasio discusses how the band's improvisational style allows them to explore new musical ideas and create a unique and unpredictable experience for their fans. He also discusses the importance of listening to the other members of the band and how it allows them to connect with each other on a deeper level.

01:40:20

The Importance of Owning Your Unique Style

This Chapter delves into the importance of owning your unique style and not comparing yourself to others. Anastasio uses Keith Richards as an example, noting that Richards's unique style and confidence in his own abilities are what make him so iconic. Anastasio also discusses the importance of finding your own voice and not being afraid to be different. He encourages listeners to embrace their individuality and to not be afraid to take risks in their creative pursuits.

Keywords

Q&A

• What were some of Trey Anastasio's early musical influences?

  Trey Anastasio was influenced by a wide range of musicians, including the Jackson 5, Leonard Bernstein, Django Reinhardt, Art Tatum, Benny Goodman, Count Basie, and Peter Gabriel. He was particularly drawn to the power of orchestration and composition, which he studied in college.

• How did Phish's early musical scene in Burlington, Vermont, shape the band's sound and identity?

  Burlington, Vermont, provided a fertile ground for Phish's development. The city's vibrant music scene, coupled with the fact that Vermont was the last state to raise the drinking age to 21, created a unique environment where the band could experiment with their music and build a strong fan base. The social scene, characterized by late-night jam sessions and shared experiences, also played a significant role in shaping the band's identity.

• How did the death of Jerry Garcia, the frontman of the Grateful Dead, impact Phish's career?

  The death of Jerry Garcia in 1995 created a void in the jam band scene and led to a surge in interest in Phish. While Anastasio acknowledges that there was pressure to fill the void left by the Grateful Dead, he emphasizes that Phish had already established their own unique sound and identity by that point. He also notes that the band's music and live performances continued to evolve and grow in the years following Garcia's death.

• What is Trey Anastasio's perspective on the relationship between music and community?

  Anastasio believes that music has the power to bring people together and create a sense of community. He describes the early days of Phish as a time of shared experiences and a celebration of music and friendship. He also emphasizes the importance of creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for fans at their concerts and festivals.

• How does Trey Anastasio view the role of improvisation in Phish's music?

  Anastasio sees improvisation as an essential element of Phish's music. He believes that it allows the band to explore new musical ideas and create a unique and unpredictable experience for their fans. He also notes that improvisation is a collaborative process that involves all members of the band and allows them to connect with each other on a deeper level.

• What are some of the challenges that Phish has faced in navigating a career in music?

  Anastasio acknowledges that Phish has faced challenges in navigating a career in music, particularly the pressure to meet the expectations of a large and passionate fan base. He also discusses the difficulty of balancing the band's artistic vision with the demands of the music industry. Despite these challenges, Anastasio emphasizes that Phish has remained true to their artistic vision and has continued to create music that they are proud of.

• How does Trey Anastasio view the future of Phish?

  Anastasio expresses optimism about the future of Phish. He believes that the band has a strong foundation and a dedicated fan base that will continue to support them. He also notes that the band is constantly evolving and exploring new musical ideas, which will keep their music fresh and exciting for years to come.

• What is Mark Marin's perspective on the relationship between comedy and music?

  Marin sees a strong connection between comedy and music. He believes that both forms of art can be used to express emotions, explore ideas, and connect with audiences on a personal level. He also notes that both comedy and music can be used to create a sense of community and shared experience.

• How does Mark Marin's initial skepticism about Phish evolve over the course of the interview?

  Marin's initial skepticism about Phish stems from his unfamiliarity with the band's music and his general aversion to jam bands. However, after listening to Phish's music in preparation for the interview, he develops a newfound appreciation for their musical complexity and virtuosity. He also expresses admiration for the band's ability to create a strong sense of community among their fans.

• What are some of the key takeaways from the interview with Trey Anastasio?

  The interview with Trey Anastasio provides insights into the band's history, their unique musical style, and the challenges of navigating a career in music. Anastasio's discussion of his musical influences, his early experiences with music, and the band's evolution over the years offers a glimpse into the creative process and the dedication required to build a successful career in music. The interview also highlights the importance of community and shared experiences in shaping the band's identity and their relationship with their fans.

Show Notes