Dude Of Life Talks Phish | Contributes Music To Lightscapes

Phish collaborator Steve “Dude Of Life” Pollak and and his Fluid Druid bandmate Charles de Saint Phalle have created new, original soundscapes for the LIGHTSCAPES event taking place in Croton-On-Harmon, New York at Van Courtland Manor each Friday -Sunday evening through May 31. The Dude Of Life recently spoke with Poughkeepsie Journal about his history with Phish.

[Photo of Pollak, de Saint Phalle & Michael Natiello via HudsonValley.org]

Pollak detailed his first meeting with Trey Anastasio to the Poughkeepsie Journal’s John Barry. “He was just learning to play guitar,” Pollak said of first meeting Trey at Taft School in Connecticut. “He was playing scales all the time.” After forming Space Antelope together, both Pollak and Anastasio enrolled at the University of Vermont. “That’s where we met Jon Fishman,” Pollak explained. “Trey put up a sign for a bass player. Mike Gordon answered the ad. One thing lead to another. Eventually Phish gelled into being.”

The Dude Of Life has not only sat-in with Phish numerous times over the years, he also penned the lyrics to some of the band’s songs including “Dinner & A Movie.” Apparently The Dude’s wife isn’t very impressed with the one-line song. “My wife, Leslie, always ribs me about that,” Pollak said. “‘Oh, Dude Of Life, great songwriter. That song has one line in it.’…It’s such an American phenomenon, going out to dinner and seeing a movie. And I love the fact that the whole song is just that one line, trying to hammer the point home.”

As per LIGHTSCAPES, Pollak and de Saint Phalle were perfect fits to add original music to the art-heavy event. “Steve and Charlie are huge fans of Historic Hudson Valley’s programs and special events and their overall ‘vibe’ fit so perfectly with LIGHTSCAPES that it was impossible to think of anybody more appropriate to create a masterful soundscape,” Rob Schweitzer, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Historic Hudson Valley told the River Journal. “They are just excellent partners.’’

The pair collaborated with Historic Hudson Valley’s music team “to create an event soundtrack that blends seamlessly with the sculpture on display.” Pollak added, “All of the LIGHTSCAPES artists are pooling their creative talents and incorporating state-of-the-art technology with the goal of creating an awe-inspiring, multi-sensory experience. I feel, this year, as a team, we have truly raised the bar!’’

[Hat Tip -Lawrence Pinkham]