The new episode of the Long May They Run podcast is titled “The Edge of the Ocean.” Season one of the series, which is hosted by Relix editor-in-chief Dean Budnick, focuses on Phish, and this episode explores the relationship between preparation and improvisation. The band’s Trey Anastasio and Mike Gordon explain that while this might seem like a dichotomy, the two ideas are complementary. This holds true not only when plumbing the musical depths but also is relevant for other aspects of the Phish experience. Episode six also relates how a LivePhish webcast was once streamed live for thousands via a single phone, Gordon comments on Metallica’s assessment of the Baker’s Dozen, Dan Kanter reveals how a whiteboard and a friendly guitar tech helped keep him on top of Phish setlists while on stage with Justin Bieber and Anastasio identifies the sports that he believes are most analogous to Phish’s musical efforts (Bill Walton chimes in as well).

In the clip below, which opens the episode, Anastasio describes the experience of being blissfully lost at sea in mid-jam with his bandmates. In part, he explains, “I know that Mike is the best bass player, I’ll ever play with. And I am so moved beyond words in every moment of every show, to be standing next to him. I know that Page McConnell is the best keyboard player I’ve ever met, and I feel that when I’m onstage. And I know how good Jon Fishman is. All three of them. And what this gives me is this patience. I don’t have to play anything, and it’s gonna be incredible. That’s how I’m thinking when I’m standing there. I’m just like, in awe of Page, in awe of Mike, and in awe of Fish as I’m standing there…”