In 2012 Phish didn’t debut any new original material, not a great sign for a band that has always thrived on evolving. Recently, both Page McConnell and Trey Anastasio had mentioned the band will soon enter the studio to record a new album and today Jambands.com has reprinted part of an interview with Anastasio that ran in the January/February issue of American Songwriter in which he talks about Phish’s return to the studio and much more.
“We’re starting a new Phish record soon, and we’re communicating pretty well for a band that’s been together for thirty years,” he says. “We’ve been talking about ways to turn lemons into lemonade, going forward with the record. We really want to try to bust open the door. We do all get along so well, and we’re used to collaborating so much that we’ll find a way. But even if you think about the Beatles later in their careers, they were ultimately better at marking solo records in the studio.”
Elsewhere, he elaborates on Phish’s studio process by saying, “When we get in there, nobody wants to step on each other’s toes. That might have something to do with why [we haven’t used the studio as an instrument much]. [Trey Anastasio Band bassist] Tony Markellis is an incredible bass player, but he did not play bass on [the Traveler track “Architect.”] Because it’s a solo album, I don’t have to ask him. If i want to pick up the the bass and do some cool thing, I just do it.”
According to Jambands.com (the American Songwriter article hasn’t been posted online yet), the article also finds Big Red discussing his recently released solo album, his headphones, his admiration of country singer-songwriter Jimmy Webb and his work with producer Brendan O’Brien on 2005′s Shine. We’re excited to hear, once again, that the band is gearing up to enter the studio.
[Hat Tip - @mrminer]
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