Photo: Frankie Cavone
Pink Talking Fish have become a staple in the jam scene ever since their inception. With very few Phish tribute acts around they have carved their position as the go to act to see. It would be wrong to not talk about their incredible renditions of music from Pink Floyd and Talking Heads. The variety is what makes it fun. What is even better is that from the crowd, they all look like best friends. Always smiling and happy to be on stage.
The band has reached many heights including playing The Capitol Theatre. We are glad to say that the band is back on the lineup for this year’s Adirondack Independence Music Festival in Lake George, NY. They are truly family of the festival playing nearly every single one to date. We caught up with bassist Eric Gould about Pink Talking Fish’s journey and much more. Read the full interview below:
Mirth Films: You guys are pretty much ADK Fam at this point! What do you like the most about playing Adirondack Independence Music Festival?
Eric Gould: Some festivals have the best family vibe. They are all wonderful but a few really stand out and feel like home. ADK is one of them and I love it tremendously.
MF: As a fan of the band, your version of “Harpua” from ADK Music Festival was so much fun and still listen to it this day. What are some of your favorite memories musically?
EG: That Harpua was my favorite that we’ve done to date! I had the concept of Heaven and Hell and Dave executed the narrative in a very cool way. Some other favorite moments:
1. Triple bass jam last year during Prince/Bowie. Chris DeAngelis and Luke Bemand joined in for Prince’s Controversy.
2. Greg Ormont from PPPP joining in on the YEM jumps and jam
3. Shannon Lynch and Hayley Jane joining in on vocals for “Genius of Love” was fantastic
MF: Where are some of the coolest places Pink Talking Fish has taken you guys on the journey?
EG: Oh wow. So many. This is a crazy and amazing life we lead. Most recently, we had the pleasure of jamming on a mountain top in Jackson Hole WY with moe. and Melvin Seals JGB. Ironically, both are playing ADK this year too!
The Total Eclipse in VT was probably the most spectacular natural event that we’ve ever done. I could go on and on here but that would be a book more than an interview question, haha!
MF: What goes into selecting the covers that you guys play?
EG: We want to take people on a journey that they haven’t experienced before with these songs. It’s different every time even though we have repeated certain combinations. The whole idea around PTF is to blur the lines of Tribute and Originality by taking these songbooks and presenting something fresh for lovers of the music.
MF: Is there any “Swifties” in the band?
EG: Cal is one, for sure. I became one this year. PTF was performing a private wedding and the bride was a Swiftie. She asked us to play some Tay Tay and we obliged. I did a deep dive to see what tunes would connect well with the PTF catalogue. Realized that the music was really great! The combo that we have been playing occasionally is Tweezer > Cruel Summer > Tweezer. It is so fun! PTayF is quite the combo.
MF: With Pink Floyd, Talking Heads and Phish all having deep repertories, do you guys have to relearn songs?
EG: Absolutely. We often times won’t play a song for a long time and need to revisit it. Especially some of the intricate Phish songs.
MF: Is there phish songs that you chose not to touch?
EG: We aren’t interested in the more recent material. Phish plays it constantly and we don’t think it’s what people want to hear from a Tribute Band. There is a large dynamic of Phans who aren’t that into a lot of the songs from Big Boat to present. For Phish, we do our best to throw in songs that Phish doesn’t play often but everyone wishes they would.
MF: What are your thoughts on the Reuben Sandwich?
EG: Sauerkraut is weird and I want nothing to do with it. Give me Corned Beef and Swiss on Rye with classic mustard all day over Kraut and Russian dressing.
MF: How was the experience playing Eclipse during the solar eclipse earlier in April? Was it tricky timing out the song with totality?
It was THE BEST. We all agree that it was the most powerful experience we have ever done with live music and nature. We started Dark Side Of The Moon a little early so we wound up jamming a bit between “Money > Us And Them” and also extended “Any Colour You Like.” “Eclipse” ended right at Totality. It was Epic.
Coming back on stage and playing Here Comes The Sun as the sun peaked its way back out was glorious.
EG: What’s next with Pink Talking Fish?
After ADK, we have a major Fall Tour that starts in late September. Rolling all the way around the country through the end of 2024 and into 2025. This has been our strongest year to date and we are loving life.
