This is a very special version of Jam Sandwich.

Why? Well, we’re talking Goose! Also, let’s try a podcast.

Some of you might prefer to hear my conversation with Goose’s Peter Anspach instead of merely read it, so I wanted to try something new — starting today you can get this newsletter in audio form.

For your ears!

Some might call it a podcast, but it’s not quite that. Put another way, I’m an amateur with no clue what I’m doing. Consider it a supplement, like onions in your cheesesteak.

🎧 Listen to it right here. 🎧

I’m using a podcast tool called Anchor that will upload the episode to the various platforms (Apple, Spotify, Sticher) in the coming days so you can find it there, too.

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Okay. Lights.

Goose, the band, has blown up.

Almost overnight, everyone I follow on Twitter (say hello!) was talking about this quartet out of Connecticut as the next great thing to happen in the jamiverse.

We hear that a lot, but I started listening in — their shows are easily found on Nugs.net — and really, truly loved what they were putting out there.

Their songs are unique and danceable. Their musical talent is obvious. And their jams are a lot of fun. Don’t take it from me.

Just watch their set from Peach Fest 2019.

Those close to the band consider it Goose's biggest set to date.

Plus, there’s an insiders-get-it element to the fanbase that feels like an onion to peel away at — the setlist details (insane), the mustaches (why not?), the screams about taking off your shirt (long story).

SO.

I reached out to Goose to arrange for a chat. Peter Anspach — guitarist, keyboardist, vocals — was kind enough to talk about their rapid growth, why Phish fans are particularly enamored, and what the future holds.

You can read the slightly edited and condensed interview below or listen to it in its entirety in the podcast, right here.

And if you like what you hear, go see Goose live. Their tour starts soon.

On blowing up

It was pretty crazy. There have been small things that have jumped out as the process has gone along where I just have kinda seen those little jumps. As it was going on we were very starstruck in that we were getting all of these great opportunities to play in front of crowds that we’ve never seen that size of a crowd before.

We’re getting streams on Spotify from incredible locations — all over the world, which is kinda crazy. And especially a lot of different cities in the US. Seeing numbers just kinda jump up has been cool for us, and we’d get a lot of people coming up to us when we see another band, saying, ‘Hey are you from that band Goose?’"

Things like that.

On Vulfpeck at MSG

It was awesome. Super fun show. I’ve seen them like maybe three or four times — as much as you can because they don’t play very often. They’re a great live band, they did a great job at MSG. I was excited to see they brought up stage props, they made it look like a living room, which was very cool, it’s very their aesthetic. So, I was excited to see them use the space well. It was a great show.

It’s always cool to see anyone play at Madison Square Garden for the first time. I saw Tame Impala do that last month as well. Everyone’s like — wow, this place — you just see it in their eyes.

On playing MSG themselves

Oh hell yeah, dude.

There was actually an interesting thing — one of the guys, Jack, gave a speech about the evolution of their band. Over the course of five years, they went from playing Rockwood Stage One to MSG, which is incredible. Then there was one particular point where everybody was telling them they should not go play MSG, they should play Terminal 5 instead, which is I guess is 5,000 capacity.

He’s like, ah, we’ll just go to the Garden.

That stuck out to me because that’s an interesting move — I think he’s made a lot of cool moves within the industry so far. I definitely admire his strategy.

On Phish fans digging the Goose

I would say Phish is an influence of all of ours, and maybe that has some kind of impact, of what we’re doing musically, that may make other Phish fans latch onto it.

We’ve got a lot of different influences as well. If we have roots in Phish, it’s very possible that it could be stemming from that. People are seeing that in the music.

On new fan expectations

I would love for them to be like, hey, I want to go see another show. There was a time where I was in college, and I was in New York, and I saw Dopapod for the first time. They were opening for Papadosio. It was so impactful that I decided to drive up to Burlington the next day to see their next show. If anybody had that kind of experience with us, I would say that’s the most ideal experience.

Just wanting more.

But the reason you want more is that you found that when you were at the show you were able to relax, have a good time with other people. It’s all about having fun. We’re all about having fun in our general lives. I think people will have a good time at Goose this fall. Because we’re going to be having a blast, I think it will probably rub off onto the crowd.

On the upcoming tour

We’re not playing any new markets, or new towns, on the tour. Which is kind of interesting because I feel like in the past it’s been new stuff, new stuff, new stuff. This time everything’s a return, which is awesome because we’re going to be able to see all these people that we’ve met maybe once, twice, but just seeing people again who we haven’t seen in a minute is definitely, probably, one of my favorite parts about the tour.

On the Disco Biscuits

Yea, we’re extremely honored to have been asked to support that show. It’s their first show back, on their tour, they haven’t really done a full tour in a long time. People are very excited, especially us, because a lot of our fans also like them so it works out, the crossover. I can’t wait to play with the Biscuits. We’ve met a few of them, they’re great people.

On musical inspirations

I’ve got a few. One of my biggest inspirations at this point is Ezra Koenig from Vampire Weekend. I really admire what they’re doing, in all aspects, I think they’re a great band that’s pushing musical boundaries, and that’s cool to hear all the different sounds they come up with. He writes a great song. It’s always catchy. He’s got a style that I really like… His band is on fire. It’s the whole package, but not in a jam spectrum, it’s more about songs, which is something that I definitely appreciate and something we try and do as well.

On the future

We’re working on two albums at the same time. We’re also getting together some live material to drop more officially. There’s a lot going on. We’re just trying to make sure it’s all balanced on the layout. In due time, it’ll be like, we’re set up. We’re good.

Goose 101, straight from the gaggle

Goose friend and publicist Greg Knight sent along a few KEY THINGS TO KNOW that he helpfully culled from the fan group, his personal notes, and conversations with the band.

Why do I hear people yelling "Trevor, take your shirt off!" on live recordings? 

The Goose guys played with various projects before forming this band. Several of these projects featured a few members of the band playing with others. Way back in the day, Trevor Weekz (bass) could infrequently be cajoled into removing his shirt during shows. Somehow, the idea caught on with fans across the country and if you listen closely, you'll often hear the request screamed from an adoring fan. 

What's with the mustaches? 

Deal with it. 

Who writes out those dope setlists? 

Tour manager/entity who was instrumental in forming the band/seasoned road warrior Jon Lombardi, aka "Coach" has been archiving setlists since the band started. As the band has grown, his setlists have grown into monstrosities, complete with nicknames for band members and details about not only the band but interactions with the crowd.

Example below: 

9.1.19 • Silk Fest • Granby, CT (Private Party) 

Set 1: Atlas%, Time to Flee, Jive I > I’m Alright* > Make The Move* > Danger Zone*¥, Yeti > Pumped Up Kicks#, Madhuvan@, Drive, Don’t Do It!

Set 2: Escape^=, Echo of a Rose^, Hot Tea > Strokin$+1€ > Hot Tea€, Turned Clouds€, Green River&€, So Ready, Electric Avenue£, Mustang Sally2 > 2001 A Space Odyssey€3, Disco Inferno4{} > Turn on Your Love Light []

Coach’s Notes:
% Wood Brothers.
*Kenny Loggins. ‘The Loggins Suite’ LTP (Last Time Played) 2.15.19 at the Octave in Covington, KY.
¥ Handini asked for the bottle of tequila.
# Foster The People.
@ Funky Slow Verizon, ‘Mahufunk’.
! The Band. LTP 4.4.18 @ PST in New Haven, CT
^ Jeff Arevalo on drums.
= Rupert Holmes.
$ Clarence Carter
+ Greg Knight free style.
1 Tying up the loose ends jam.
€ Luke Bemand (lespecial) on Percussion
& Creedence Clearwater Revival.
£ Eddy Grant.
2 Mustang Sally.
3 Richard Strauss.
4 The Trammps. This song was a legendary mega jam, multiple people were sitting in on percussion including Jeff Arevalo, the Bemand brothers Luke and Sean. Chris Quinn lead a vocal jam. At one point during the song Kurt left the stage, he rejoined the jam a bit later.
{} Beverly Hills Cop Theme.
[] Bobby Blue Bland.
This was the longest second set in Göose history to date, clocking in at 2 hours and 27 minutes.
Set 1 Start Time: 8:41pm - 10:17pm
Set 2 Start Time: 11:03pm - 1:30am

Still want more? Go check out friend of the sandwich Weekend Wook’s interview.

And please, if you’re new:

Reminder: You can listen to the full interview in podcast format right here or on Spotify and various podcast platforms in the coming days.

Thank you so much for riding along on this journey, it’s been fun and I hope it continues. And don’t judge me — I have no clue what I’m doing I just like good music and the people who make it, ok?!

Like this interview, hit the ❤️ down there 👇🏻.

Appreciate you,

Brian