Beyond The Pond

In Episode 092 we are joined by Washington Nationals Closer & World Series Champion, Sean Doolittle to chat about Phish, Baseball, and much more in a wide-ranging, two-part interview. Sean is a huge music fan who found Phish over the last few years and has become a great ambassador for the band throughout the majors. In addition, he’s also incredibly thoughtful athlete who champions a number o...

In Episode 091 we assess Phish’s fourth run in Mexico, focusing on what very well may be the best version of Waves we’ve ever heard. Following last year’s high quality run, the band returned with what felt like a vengeance, throwing down rarities, jams, and excellent sets throughout the entire weekend.  Songs featured in this episode are: John Moreland: “I’m Learning How To Tell Myself The Tr...

In Episode 090 we are joined once again by Music Writer & Phish Ambassador, Steven Hyden ( @Steven_Hyden ), to discuss our five favorite sets of 2019. We dive deep into the nuances of the last year for Phish as well as showcase the impact of their overall songwriting explosion of the last few years.  Top Sets of 2019 Brian: HM: Uncasville, CT — 07/09/19 I, 05. Charleston, SC — 12/06/19 II...

In Episode 089 we discuss the advanced jam off David Bowie from April 8, 1992. At a time when the band was rarely flirting with deep improv, this shock jam off David Bowie hears them toying with a Tweezer Reprise jam before experimenting with Post-Peak Jamming in a calypso-ladened jam that feels four years ahead of its time. Songs featured in this episode are: Daniel Lanois: “Panorama,” Calexico:...

In Episode 088 we’re joined by Kevin Finkel, Dave Rossmer and Elizabeth Nestlerode to discuss the crossovers between Phish and the larger world of Broadway. Dave and Kevin grew up together and are both Broadway fanatics. Dave & Elizabeth are both seasoned vets of the scene, both acting in Rossmer’s The Other Josh Cohen , and Nestlerode performing in Once. In addition, both are massive Phish fa...

In Episode 087 we assess Phish’s 2019 MSG New Year’s Eve Run, focusing on the 36 minute "Tweezer" from December 30. Overall, an excellent run and fantastic cap to an equally fascinating and challenging year of Phish, we discuss Trey’s renewed aggressiveness, creativity, and the seemingly endless jams that emerged from the run.  Songs featured in this episode are: Ben Lamar Gay: “Pink, Green &...

In Episode 086 we take a step back, drink some mulled wine, light a nightly candle, and soak in the vibes of the season. We focus on 12/30's through the years, highlighting the 1993 run in particular, and discuss the "Mike's Song" from that year's 12/30 show. We also discuss the major themes one can expect from the best night of the year for Phish, as well as the standout jams we've seen from them...

In Episode 085 we look back on 2019 and discuss our favorite albums of the year. In addition, we discuss our honorable mentions, share our favorite live shows of the year share our listeners top albums of the year, and count down our favorite 20 records of 2019. David’s Top Ten Albums of 2019: 10. Steve Gunn: "The Unseen In Between," 9. Cass McCombs: "Tip Of The Sphere," 8. Chris Forsyth: "All Tim...

In Episode 084 we assess the eight-show run Phish embarked upon immediately following Thanksgiving. Winding down the east coast, through five venues, the band played zero repeats, thus showcasing their vastly expanded song catalogue, while also displaying their ability to weave together quality sets without a single 20+min jam. We break down the tour (run) into a number of categories, offering our...

In Episode 083 we sat down with two of our favorite musicians, Ryley Walker & Ryan Jewell for a wide-ranging interview and jam session following a fantastic Thanksgiving Dinner. In addition, we took in Ryley & Ryan’s wild & improvisational opening set on 11/29/2019 at the Bluebird Theater in Denver, CO, featuring Neil Hagerty. The guys were a great hang and played us some fantastic tun...

In Episode 082 we conclude our 20th Anniversary celebration of the Big Cypress Festival with a discussion of the massive pre-dawn jam off Roses Are Free in the early hours of January 1, 2000. A raw, minimalistic take on the rare cover, this equally sounds like an overtired band running on extended muscle memory from their closest attempt at the LG, and a proper welcoming to the first sunrise of th...

In Episode 081 we sat down with Chef Bryan Lee Weaver ( @BryanLeeWeaver ) of the Butcher & Bee and the RedHeaded Stranger for a wide-ranging discussion about cooking, music, and his journey as a chef. Hanging on the back porch of his newest restaurant, the RedHeaded Stranger in East Nashville, we weaved in and out of topics and a fluid conversation that matched his own cooking styles. In addit...

In Episode 080 we’re joined by friend & fellow podcaster, Jim Hanke ( @jimhanke ) of The Vinyl Emergency podcast ( @VinylEmergency ) to discuss the larger vinyl industry, some of our favorite lesser-known records from our favorite bands, how to build a record collection, and much more! The Vinyl Emergency is a fantastic podcast where Jim chats with music writers, record label heads, musicians,...

In Episode 079 we look back on the 2010s and discuss our favorite albums of the decade. In addition we discuss our favorite concerts of the decade, our picks for the best Phish shows of the decade, as well as summarize the music of the decade in five sentences. We then count down our 30 favorite albums of the decade. Lots of music is shared, and we were lucky to record this live at Vinyl Tap in Na...

In Episode 078 we discuss the wild and highly experimental Suzy Greenberg from Brooklyn, New York, on June 17, 2004. In the show that kicked off what was thought to be the final tour for Phish ever, this Suzy emerged midway through the second set, and attacked the jam with more vigor and relentless experimentation than they ever had with Suzy.  Songs featured in this episode are: Oneida: “Up...

In Episode 077 we continue our 20th Anniversary celebration of Phish’s Big Cypress Festival with a discussion of the "Crosseyed & Painless" from the massive overnight set the band played on December 31, 1999. A raging and torrential version of the previously rare cover, it’s shocking to us that the band was capable of playing something this high octane at 2am, but then had another five hours o...

In this Bonus Episode we take a look back at the year 2016 and discuss our favorite albums of the year. In addition, we review our 2017 & 2018 lists and talk about what we would have changed and/or kept the same from those years in which we broadcasted our countdowns.  David's Top Ten Albums of 2016: 10. Lydia Loveless: Real, 09. White Lung: Paradise, 08. The Hotelier: Goodness, 07. Savag...

In This Bonus Episode we take a look back at the year 2015 and discuss our favorite albums of the year. David's Top Ten Albums of 2015: 10. My Mornig Jacket: The Waterfall, 09. New Order: Music Complete, 08. Kendrick Lamar: To Pimp A Butterfly, 07. Tame Impala: Currents, 06. Alabama Shakes: Sound & Color, 05. Veruca Salt: Ghost Noise, 04. Torres: Sprinter, 03. Jason Isbell: Something More Than...

In Episode 076 we turn our focus northwards, highlighting an electric version of "Tweezer" from Vancouver, BC on September 9, 1999. A twenty-minute monster that begins in near silence before exploding into a wild Trey-led peak that feels never-ending until it fades into a two-minute ambient bliss jam. Emblematic of the shoegaze jams that dotted the year, this is an excellent example of the style t...

In Episode 075 we assess the final stand of Phish's Summer 2019 Tour. Covering their ninth annual Labor Day run at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado, we break down the run into a number of categories, offering our overall thoughts on the final stand of tour. Songs featured in this episode are: Resavoir: "Whoa," Elder: "Illusory Motion," Steve Palmer: "The Desert Tortoise Preser...

In Episode 074 we are joined by two of our close friends, PJ Rudolph ( @axillapt3 ) and Steven Hyden ( @Steven_Hyden ) to share our thoughts on the life and music of David Berman. David passed away on August 7 at the age of 52. In addition to our podcast, we'd highly recommend reading the following pieces on Berman's life & music: Steven Hyden: David Berman Was One Of Indie Rock's Greatest Son...

In this Bonus Episode we take a look back at the year 2014 and discus our favorite albums on the year. David's Top Ten Albums of 2014: 10. Pallbearer: Foundations of Burden; 09. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers: Hypnotic Eye; 08. St. Vincent: St. Vincent; 07. Ryan Adams: Ryan Adams; 06. Lydia Loveless: Somewhere Else; 05. The New Pornographers: Brill Bruisers; 04. Lucero: Live From Atlanta; 03. S...

In this Bonus Episode we take a look back at the year 2013 and discuss our favorite albums of the year. David's Top Ten Albums of 2013: 10. The Stepkids: Troubadour; 09. St. Lucia: When The Night; 08. Vampire Weekend: Modern Vampires Of The City; 07. Foals: Holy Fire; 06. Steve Mason: Monkey's Mind In Devil's Time; 05. Phosphorescent: Muchacho; 04. Disclosure: Settle; 03. Yo La Tengo: Fade; 02. Th...

In Episode 073 we focus on the oft-overlooked, somewhat maligned, Summer 1996 European Tour, and highlight the bizarre "Taste -> Llama" that closed out the Tour-Opening set, and featured Carlos Santana & Karl Perazzo. One of the more shocking moments from a tour that featured 13 single-set opening slots for Santana, this was, of note, the only time Carlos would join Phish on stage throughou...

In Episode 072 we assess the final week of Phish's Summer 2019 Tour. Covering the Mohegan Sun and Alpine Valley shows, we break down the run into a number of categories, offering our overall thoughts on the final week of tour. Songs featured in this episode are: Purple Mountains: "Thats Just The Way I Feel," Black Pumas: "Black Moon Rising," TwinSisterMoon: "Trailer," Katell Keineg: "Smile" - - -&...