photo credit: Rene Huemer
Trey Anastasio Band will release their new live album, Burn It Down, this Friday, September 18. Produced and mixed by Vance Powell (Phish, Chris Stapleton, Jack White), the album is a three-dimensional sonic time capsule that captures the explosive eight-piece band on their January 2020 tour. The 15-song tracklist combines TAB’s trademark tight musicianship with unbounded performances that make Burn It Down a compelling document of this band at the peak of its powers.
“Over the past few years there’s been an indescribable momentum with TAB,” says Anastasio. “The band seems to get tighter with each successive tour. This past January, we were firing on all cylinders, and it was reflected in the faces of the people coming to the shows. I could feel it and see it every single night — the intensity of the dancing, the smiles on people’s faces, the feeling of unity.
“So immediately after that tour, I put plans in motion to begin a TAB album in the spring. The pandemic changed those plans, and when everything was cancelled, I began working at home on what would later become Lonely Trip.
“Meanwhile, my friend Vance Powell, who produced this new TAB album, called and told me there was already enough great material on tape from the January tour to make the best TAB album ever, and make it a live album. So he started sending me mixes. I loved them. We both agreed that Burn It Down, a line from the song ‘Set Your Soul Free,’ was the perfect title, because it encapsulated exactly what had been happening onstage every night.
“When I listen to this album, it reminds me how much I miss playing live music. In some ways, it’s hard for me to listen for that reason. I can’t wait to experience this again. I miss it so much.”
“Producing and mixing Burn It Down has been absolutely one of my favorite projects ever,” adds Powell. “The band is slamming!”
Despite the ongoing pandemic, 2020 has been a busy year for Anastasio, as TAB’s Burn It Down follows hot on the heels of his Covid-inspired home recordings compilation, Lonely Trip, his appearance with The Roots as the first in-studio performer since the beginning of lockdown on the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and the April release of Phish’s Sigma Oasis. Fans can hear Burn It Down in its entirety tomorrow night Thursday September 17, at 9pm ET on SiriusXM’s Phish Radio. Anastasio will also be performing tomorrow night as part of the Central Park SummerStage Jubilee, a free benefit concert supporting City Parks Foundation programs taking place across all SummerStage social platforms (SummerStage Instagram, SummerStage YouTube, Facebook page and Twitch) via livestream beginning at 8pm ET. The digital event will also feature exclusive performances by Sting, Norah Jones, Rufus Wainwright, Leslie Odom Jr., Rosanne Cash, Emily King and PJ Morton.
TREY ANASTASIO BAND IS:
Trey Anastasio – Guitars / Vocals
Cyro Baptista – Percussion
James Casey – Saxophone / Keyboards / Percussion / Vocals
Natalie Cressman – Trombone / Vocals
Jennifer Hartswick – Trumpet / Vocals
Russ Lawton – Drums
Tony Markellis – Bass Guitar
Ray Paczowski – Keyboards
