Phish To Enter Studio, Tour Less in ’12

There haven’t been many interviews with Phish front man Trey Anastasio this year, so we are excited to see that RollingStone.com has posted a longer version of their chat with Anastasio that appears in truncated form in the magazine that hit newsstands today. Rolling Stone’s Patrick Doyle asked Trey about the group’s future plans, songs he wants to cover, next week’s Super Ball IX festival and more.

[Photo by Kenny Pusey]

Of particular note for Phish fans is word that the band will enter the studio this winter and will tour even less in 2012…

When do you hope to record a new Phish album? Any idea what it will sound like yet?

We are talking about opening the door to some kind of new album this winter. Next year is looking like it will be a less busy touring year, mostly because of family obligations for some of the band members. We want to get together in the winter and start working on something new. What that thing is undefined, and we’re keeping it that way on purpose. We just want to get together and see where it goes.

[RollingStone.com Interview w/ Trey Anastasio]

For those hoping the lack of Phish shows in 2011 was an anomaly, this isn’t very good news.  Trey also espoused his love for indie band Beach House and discussed covering Metallica’s Master of Puppets…

“I went through an obsession with Beach House recently, and I actually found myself trying to copy that gorgeous pattern picking style of guitar during one of the jams in Bethel. I’ve been listening to a record by the Grates called Teeth Lost, Hearts Won that I love. I haven’t heard a song screaming to be covered recently, though I did learn “Zebra” by Beach House on the guitar because I love the way Alex Scally picks so cleanly with a pick, as opposed to finger picking patterns. In terms of rock songs, I’ve kind been toying with this idea of covering “Master of Puppets” for quite some time.” – Trey Anastasio to Rolling Stone

Head to RollingStone.com for the full interview. What do you think about Trey’s quotes? Did you think 2012 would be a more active year for Phish?