Photo credit: Jake Silco
During Phish’s Las Vegas residency at the new and immersive Sphere venue back in April, even the halls rang out with music, a point of conversation for observant concert-goers who picked up on the ambient soundscapes that transformed the sterile space into one of sonic transcendence. Now, Trey Anastasio will release those recordings as Atriums, a six-part suite due on September 20 via Rubber Jungle Records.
Derived from Anastasio’s exploratory approach during soundchecks, which allotted time for proper experimentation, the guitarist used his axe to try a range of effects that toy with the notion of an instrumental record. The resulting suite finds the artist’s delivery of six atmospheric compositions featuring a wave of droning loops, reverberations that function like an echo in an ancient cave, and euphonious fretwork.
Previously, Anastasio confirmed the project during his Relix interview, telling us, “We’re going to release an album of all the atrium music.” Providing additional detail, the Vermont musician added, “One of the fun things I did was creating the sounds that were part of that journey from the minute that people entered. It hasn’t come out yet because things have been busy, but we’ve mastered it and we’re going to put it out.”
Angling the set as a comprehensive listening experience that can be enjoyed from start to finish, the musician also mindfully distinguishes space for the specialty of each of the six compositions, allowing them to generate a unique and distinctive tone intended for thought over multiple listens.
Proceeds gained through the sale of Atriums will benefit the 501c(3) non-profit organization Divided Sky Foundation, dedicated to addiction recovery through the Divided Sky Residential Recovery Program, the recently opened Ludlow, Vt. facility, that offers folks the opportunity to focus on emotional sobriety, and mindfulness through the use of 12 Steps.
The set’s confirmation comes after Phish announced its three-night benefit concert series at MVP Arena in Albany, N.Y., which will also benefit the Divided Sky Foundation program and facility. Tickets for the impending series of live shows slated for Oct. 25-27 go on sale on Friday, September 20 at 10 a.m. E.T.
