Trey Anastasio, revered as one of the most influential guitarists and songwriters of his generation, has left an indelible mark on the landscape of contemporary music. As the lead vocalist and guitarist for the iconic band Phish, Anastasio’s virtuosic talent and boundless creativity have captivated audiences worldwide. With a career spanning over four decades, his musical journey has been a testament to experimentation, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of artistic excellence.
Born in Fort Worth, Texas, and raised in Princeton, New Jersey, Trey Anastasio’s musical journey began at an early age. His passion for music led him to attend the University of Vermont, where he met the fellow musicians who would form the nucleus of Phish. Together, they embarked on a musical odyssey that would redefine the boundaries of rock, blending elements of funk, jazz, bluegrass, and psychedelic improvisation into their distinctive sound. Anastasio’s dynamic guitar playing and soulful songwriting became synonymous with the band’s ethos of exploration and improvisation, earning them a dedicated fanbase known as the Phish phan community.
Throughout his career, Trey Anastasio has remained a prolific and versatile artist, exploring a wide array of musical genres and collaborations outside of Phish. From solo albums to orchestral compositions, Anastasio’s creative output continues to inspire and resonate with audiences across generations. As fans and admirers continue to celebrate his contributions to music and culture, let us delve into the wisdom and insight encapsulated in some of Trey Anastasio’s most memorable quotes below.
When Phish broke up, I made some comment about how I’m not gonna go around playing ‘You Enjoy Myself’ for the rest of my life. Trey Anastasio
My life was a complete catatrophe. I was very, very sick from drugs and alcohol. Trey Anastasio
Things don’t go on forever, and the quicker you accept that change is inevitable, the happier you’re gonna be. Trey Anastasio
The folk music definition has changed in this fast music world and musical styles are blending really quickly. Trey Anastasio
Music has always been my protection against the world, from a very young age. I feel safe inside of a jam. Trey Anastasio
The band feels loose in all the right ways, and it’s just so cool looking out and seeing all of these people that I haven’t seen in a while. Trey Anastasio
I always dreamed of writing in an orchestral context. But when you finish a piece, you want to hear it. So we played everything with Phish. Trey Anastasio
Phish has run its course and that we should end it now while it’s still on a high note. Trey Anastasio
I absolutely love the Philharmonic. I also love rock guitar. Trey Anastasio
Anyone who writes knows that ultimately the majority of your time is spent alone in a room with a piano or a guitar, no matter what the project is. Trey Anastasio
I understand that transposing a song a half step can effect the believability of a lyric. Trey Anastasio
If there’s one thing I discovered since I came back from hiatus, it’s that you can’t go backwards. Trey Anastasio
I think the Internet is going to open up a lot of possibilities with music, and the shake-up of power is exciting to me. Trey Anastasio
We always felt like we were throwing a party for our friends, regardless of the size or the place, because we actually were throwing a party for our friends. We’ve always had a very tight knit community. Trey Anastasio
I’ve been sober for two-and-a-half years, My children are happy. In August, my wife and I will celebrate our fifteenth wedding anniversary. My band is back together with a sold-out tour. Trey Anastasio
My life had become a catastrophe. I had no idea how to turn it around. My band had broken up. I had almost lost my family. My whole life had devolved into a disaster. I believe that the police officer who stopped me at three a.m. that morning saved my life. Trey Anastasio
We were always a party band and we used to play outside a lot. Trey Anastasio
Working on a play is a vibrant and collaborative business. Everyone from the choreographer to the music director to the director to the writers work together toward the same goal, and everyone chimes in on everything. Trey Anastasio
There’s so much excitement around the Phish tours, and if it stopped feeling that way, it would ruin everything we’ve done for seventeen years. Trey Anastasio
When I was growing up in New Jersey, my mom would regularly take my sister and I into the city to see shows. I have many fond memories of standing in the half-price ticket line in Times Square and going to matinees. Trey Anastasio
It was amazing and inspiring to see so many people come together through music to aid the great state of Vermont. Trey Anastasio
I consider myself extremely lucky to have worked with so many great collaborators in my lifetime. Trey Anastasio
I can’t wait to play the Hammerstein shows. Things have been exploding in the last week, and that’s going to be the exclamation point. Trey Anastasio
I’ve always loved musical theater. It’s a bit of a family tradition. Trey Anastasio
I cannot spend my entire life going around the country playing ‘You Enjoy Myself ‘. Trey Anastasio
Musicians from the beginning of time have been there to express the mood and the musical feelings in the air for whatever’s going on in that particular culture. It’s the greatest joy as a musician to be able to translate that, be part of something and watch the scenery around you. Trey Anastasio
I’ve always loved the experience of working together with other people toward an artistic goal. Trey Anastasio
When you’re a musician and you break new ground it resonates into the common consciousness. Trey Anastasio
We’re never going to stop! Three hundred shows a year forever! Trey Anastasio
Swing will never sound as good as it did in the ’40s. Trey Anastasio
I’ve learned that in the theater the story is everything. Every lyric, every line and every musical gesture has to propel the journey of a given character or the overall plot. Trey Anastasio
I am a prince I have it all, and I hear your foot steps on the wall, I wait in silence for your call, and take a shot and watch you fall. Trey Anastasio
As long as your intention is pure, and you know what you’re in it for, then you’re alright. And I’m in it because I enjoy it. I take it seriously… real seriously. I mean I could sit and talk all day about the music. Trey Anastasio
I’m not trying to pull the rug out from under anybody, but the music really does tell you where to go. Trey Anastasio
Set the gearshift for the high gear of your soul, you’ve got to run like an antelope out of control! Trey Anastasio
Things have gone beyond my wildest expectations and dreams, and I feel like I’ve been given so many blessings in my life, between my friendship with the guys in the band, our wonderful audience, being able to play this music, and then my family. Trey Anastasio
Equality implies individuality. Trey Anastasio
The biggest sacrifice to me is to not be in an atmosphere where I can keep writing and moving forward. Trey Anastasio
What I thought at the moment was the worst thing that could happen was absolutely the biggest gift I’ve received. Trey Anastasio
