Photo courtesy Julia Mordaunt, copyright Phish
As we reported in thisweek’s cover story about Phish’s 30th anniversary, we had theopportunity to speak with bassist Mike Gordon. It was early October, and he andthe band were finishing up rehearsals in Vermont before embarking on their12-date fall tour.
We know now that theband was practicing a batch of new songs, 12 of which they performed at theirHalloween show in Atlantic City. Many of those are likely to appear on Phish’sforthcoming studio album, Wingsuit, whichthey were scheduled to begin recording this week. But at the time, Gordon andthe rest of the band were being tight-lipped about what they were up to.
Gordon did share histhoughts about Phish turning 30, living in Vermont, working on his own sideprojects and how the band has matured over the years. He also shared his foursecrets to success.
SEVEN DAYS: So howdoes it feel to be 30?
MIKE GORDON: To have our 30th anniversary?
Yes, yes.
It does feel pretty monumental. I mean, if I could flashback to my college days, I don’t think I could’ve predicted that 30 years laterI’d be playing with the same three people and having this much success at itwith such strange music and funny ideas. So I’m surprised, I guess, that thingsare going so well.
How do youexplain that? What’s kept things moving forward and going so well 30 years in?
I think people only can guess why they’re successful. It would bepresumptuous to be able to say the secrets of success or longevity with aproject — not that it’s a project, but anyway. But I could make my guesses. Forstarters, the band members continue to have a healthy relationship. Any relationshipis going to have ups and downs over the years, but in general it’s been abenchmark relationship in my life to compare other ones to, because wecommunicate openly, we find compromises when people have different goals, we’rerespectful of each other and encouraging of each other, so that each personfeels like their individuality doesn’t get lost when summing up the parts. It’sa nurturing, it’s a healthy relationship.
With some bands, or maybe other artistic groups, it gets toa point where someone wants to do something else, or people could say, ‘WellI’ve done this for long enough.’ And I think there’s always an opportunity —you can say that with a marriage, too — there’s always an opportunity tolook at the other side, which is that you’re rewarded for continuing commitmentand the deeper commitment that comes by sticking together for a longer andlonger and longer period of time, because in a relationship you build all ofthese foundations. You build and build and build and so it keeps getting deeperin some ways. That’s what I honestly think.
The music feels more mature, and not that there aren’tcertain moments back in the career where we had a good thing going, a goodsound, or approach that’s different from now. Sometimes the fans look back andsay, “You know, what about the way you jammed in ’94 and this and that.” Inever do that. I always feel like we keep progressing, personally. It might bein subtler ways, like just that the grooves are more even — but that’s adeep thing from my perspective.
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Like a stone sculpture, so are the days of our lives.
As long as you keep wanting to play that “Weird Music”, Mike, we’ll keep traveling as far as it takes (Europe, please!) to watch/listen… but please keep it under your hats, People, it’s already hard enough to get tickets! 😉
Words of wisdom. Mike is so real. I read this twice to absorb the messages in here. Very much anticipating Mike and his band’s new stuff.