el Goose Times Volume 9

GregDeLuis

Whatinspiredyoutobecomealuthierand ultimatelystartyourowncompany, DeLuisGuitars?

Myloveofguitarsandplayingguitarisofcourse atthecenterofitall.Iwasjustakidbeing influencedbymygrandfather,whowashandy enoughtokeephisinstrumentsplayinggreat, anditwasathisworkbenchthatIfirstsaw lutherietools,vacuumtubes,capacitors,etc…all prettycooltomyyoungself.Healsogavememy firstStewmaccatalogat16.Bythen,Ihadbeen playingregularlyinbandsandbars(underage) justtryingtocutmyteethandbecomingmore andmoreinlovewiththeguitaringeneral. Ipursuedsculptureincollegeandwasoriginally headedforthefineartworld.Ithinkthatalso heavilyinfluenceshowIapproachlutherie, becauseIlookatmyguitarsaspiecesof functionalfineart.TherealmomentIknewIwas goingtobealuthierwaswhenIpickedupthe book, SteelStringGuitarConstruction byIrving Sloane…thesectiononJimmyD’Aquisto changedmylife.

I'dlovetohearmoreaboutyourfamilylife growingup,andhowitinfluencedwhereyou aretoday.Wasmusicimportantinyourfamily?

Musicwasimportantinmyfamily.Holiday gatheringsoftenturnedtolatenightjam sessions.Atthecenterofthesejamsessions wereapairofGibsoninstrumentsfrom1919 and1929,respectively.Theywerethetoolsof thetradeformygreatuncleJimmyDeLuis,who wasaprofessionalmusician.Theywererevered objects-thatwasapparenttomeatayoungage.

Old-schoolcraftsmanshipisacornerstoneof yourbusiness.Whywasthisimportant?

with JonCaruso

Craftsmanshipisthequalitythatcomesfromindividualcreativeexpression,refinedskill andameticulousattentiontodetail.Astechnologycontinuestoevolveandmachines becomemoreefficientwithproduction,theimportanceoftraditionalcraftsmanshipespeciallyhandcraftsmanship-hasneverbeengreater.Thiskindofhigh-quality craftsmanshipiswhatdifferentiatesandelevatesinanincreasinglycrowdedspace, whetherfunctionalorpurelyaesthetic.Thinkingabouthowthisappliestomusic,musical instrumentsarefunctionalpiecesofartwherecraftsmanshipcanmakeahugedifference. Forguitars,thematerialsusedforthebody,neckandtypeofelectronicsused,for example,canmakeahugedifferencetohowtheguitar looks, feels and sounds.

Lutherie,thecraftofmaking,repairingorrestoringstringedinstruments,dependsongreat craftsmanship,asLuthiersspendyearsstudyingwoodandinstrumentconstructiontotruly understandhowinstrumentsworkandhowtheycanimproveuponitssound.Thecraftof luthiersisessentiallydividedintotwomaincategories:makersofstringedinstrumentsthat arepluckedorstrummed,likeguitars,andlutes,forexample;andmakersofstringed instrumentsthatarebowed,likeacello,doublebassorviolin.

Guitarlutheriehasevolvedsignificantlysinceitbeganintheearly19thcentury,withthe riseoftechnologyandmachinery,butthere’ssomethingabouthand-madeguitarsthat givethemmorecharacterandpersonality.Amachinecannotreplicatewhatcomesoutof thehandsofanindividual,whoputtheirheartandsoulintoeveryindividualpiece.These guitarsareessentiallyfunctionalworksofart.

TheelGooseTimes hadtheopportunitytospeakwith GregDeLuis,masterluthierand ownerofDeLuisGuitars,aboutwhatinspiredhimtobecomealuthier,thestorybehind Rick’snewguitar,“TheEmpress”andmore.

I’mnotcategoricallyanti-tech(myfrettemplates arelasercut,forexample),butIthinkalotof processesinguitarconstructionthatonceadded theartiststouch(inlay,handcarving)havebeen automatedandtheinstrumentsthemselves strippedofromance.Thereisn’ttypicallyalotof transparencyinlutherie-plentyofmakers outsourceorautomatewhatcould(andIbelieve should)behandcrafted,unbeknownsttothe customer.Thequickandeasywayonlybenefits themaker,nottheplayer.Istriveforintegrity, honestyandhigh-levelcraftsmanshipinhowI approachlutherie.Usingold-schooltraditional constructionmethods,likehandinlayandhand carving,ishowIdothat.Ithinkitmatters.

Basedonyourexperience,howdodifferent typesofwoodimpactaguitar’soverallsound?

WoodisapreciousresourceandIfeelprivileged tousewhatisoftenrareanddifficulttosource. Thewood’svisualbeautyinspiresthroughoutthe process,butwhatreallysetstheprocessapart fromthebigguitarfactoriesisthatI’m LISTENINGtothewoodthroughouttheprocess. Asfarasdifferentspeciesandtheirinherent qualities…Ibelieveit’sreallyaweight:stiffness conundrum.But,youcancountoncertain tonewoodsforcertainresonantqualitiesanduse thatinformationtoEQtheinstrumenttoa certaindegree…Atleastatabaseline.

MasterLuthier&Owner

DeLuisGuitars

TheelGooseTimes interviewwith

SameOld SameOld

PhotoCredit:AshleyDeLuis

Rick’sguitar,forexample,featuresahighly figured,big-leafMapleforthetopandback,in additiontosteam-bentIndianRosewoodsides andMahoganylinings.TheneckisHonduras Mahoganywithcarbonfiberreinforcementanda two-waytrussrod.TheuseofMapleforthetop andbackandMahoganyfortheneckiscarried overfromRick’soldguitar…keepingthetonal signaturethatthewooditselfwasprovidingin Rick’stone.

OntheDeLuisGuitarwebsite,itsaysthat“all customDeLuisGuitarsstartwitha conversation.”Howdidtheconversationstart withRick?Didhereachouttoyou?

Ihadbeenlistening/followingGooseforsome time.Rickisanincredibleandveryspecialplayer andIknewIwantedtomakehimsomethingepic.

FastforwardtoAug22,2022.MypalSean Heydorff(akaBluesforSallah)happenedtoknow afewpeopleintheirmanagement,gotusintoVIP attheGreekhereinLAandaftertheshowIwas abletospeakatlengthaboutapotentialguitar designwithRickinthelounge.ThenIsketched andworkedonpreliminarydesigns,wegotthe conceptwhereitneededtobeand“The Empress”wouldsoonbeborn.Themostexciting partofdesigningacustominstrument,tome,is realizingthatwhenyou’reworkingwithan artisan,theskyisthelimit.

WhenIfirstspokewithRickattheGreek(LA)we wereprettymuchonthesamepageasfaras possibleconstructionfeatures.Rickalready soundedfantastic,sothetaskathandwas deliveringMOREofRick’salreadyamazing sound.ThenexttimeheandIcommunicated,I sentafewmock-ups,whichwestucktovery closelythroughouttheprocess.Asdescribedin thetonewoodquestion,IchosewoodsthatIfelt wouldcaptureandenhancehissoundinthebest possibleway.

Oncethewoodswereselected,thenbeginsthe handcarvingprocess.Thetopsofmyinstruments arehand-carvedwithtraditionalviolin/cello planesandcabinetscrapers.Carvingandtuning thetopandbackaswellasadditionaltuningof thebracingandrecurveareasiswhere,listening totheWood(andaether)canresultinthe instrumentsgreatestpotentialandwhatsetsa sensitivelyconstructed,luthier-builtinstrument apartfromsomethingoffanassemblyline.

Walkusthroughtheprocessofcraftinghis guitar.WhatmakesRick’sguitarunique?

Themainpoints,asdiscussedwithRickinourOG conversation,wereafullyhollowinstrument,light andresponsivewhichinhighgainsituationscan belikeridingawave.Topthatoffwithacouple extrafretsandmindingcomfortbydesigninga beautifulergonomicpackage.Ifyoureally accountforeverydesignfeature,everylineand curve,itisaveryuniqueguitarandanewlook whilekeepingallofRick’splayingneedsmet.

WhenI’mintheearlystagesofguitarbuildingfor aclient,everythingstartswithwoodselection. Inthiscase,Ichosewoodsalreadyatthecenter ofRick’stoneandthatwasthetrickypart.Rick alwayssoundedgreatsothegoalwasjustgiving himhistoneplusalittleextra.

PicturedLeft: ThefirstrenderingoftheguitarconceptsenttoRickaftertheirinitialdiscussion.

PicturedRight: AcolorrenderingoftheguitarsenttoRick,priortosmallchangesandconstruction. Somedesignaspectswerechangedalongtheway,butthegeneralviberemained,perGreg.

PicturedAbove: TheguitarmoldGregcreatedfor"TheEmpress"

Themostsignificantdifferencetomebetween Ricksoldguitarand“TheEmpress”,isthatthe oldinstrumentwasshapedbycomputercontrolledroutersonanassemblyline,while minearecompletelyhandcrafted.Atbig factories/companiestheautomationisthenorm. Ionlybringthisuptoillustratewhatmakesthis instrumentdifferentfromheavilyCNC-assisted builds(inabigorsmallshop)orsomethingoffan assemblyline.Thetopplatesofhisnew instrumentarehandcarvedlikeaviolinwith handplanes.TheentireprocessI’mcarvingand listeningtothewoodandeachplate’sfinal graduationsareuniquetothequalitiesofthat particularpieceofwood.

Here’sarundownofthespecswelandedon:

"TheEmpress"

Ahand-carved,fullyhollowbodyelectricguitar

Body:

Hand-carvedcurlymapletopandback(bigleaf), Steam-bentmahoganysideswithmahogany liningswithhandcarvedebonytailpiece

Neck: Honduranmahogany

Ebonyfingerboardandheadplate

2-waytrussrod

25”scalelength

12”radius

Mammothivorynut

Handcutinlay

Electronics: Lollarlow-windimperialpickups

Roughlyhowmanyguitarshaveyoupersonally crafteduptothispoint?Whataresomeofyour favorites?

It’sover100instrumentsatthispoint…thestand outguitarsformeare“Liberty”,madeforAustin McCutchenfromGratefulShred-whichwasmy firstprojectviatheGratefulGuitarsFoundation, aswellasadesigncollabwithmydearfriend SeanHeydorff,akaBluesforSallah.

Theotherobviousfavoritewouldbe“The Empress”,madefor/withRick.He’sabeastwith thatguitar.Seeingmyinstrumentsbeingplayed onstageisthegreatestjoy.

What’sitlikedeliveringafinishedguitartoyour clientsandwatching/listeningtothemplay thepiece?

Iusuallyovernightshipguitars,soIdon’tgetto seethosefirstmomentsinpersonveryoften.

That’swhywithRickitwasanextraspecial deliveryforme.WhenRickfirstpickedupthe guitar,heimmediatelyplayedunpluggedandwas makingmusic.Weallwentupstairsforsound checkandRickreallystartedtoenjoythenew spacethisguitarcouldgivehim,thenwhenhe saidhewantedtoplayitthatnightitjust solidifiedformethatbetweenhimandI,we nailedit,andhehasn’tputitdownsince. That’sthefeelingIstriveforeverytimewith everyguitar.

PicturedAbove: AsampleofthetoolsGregusesforhand-carvingguitars-allusedon"TheEmpress"

PicturedBelow: "ApictureofRickItookwithmyiPhoneofthefirstfewmomentshepickedup theguitarafterdelivery/atsoundcheck"

Doyouhaveanyadviceforaspiringluthiers?

Inanyhigh-levelcraft,Ithinklearningthefundamentals,creatingmusclememory,and justgettingreallyskilledatyourcraftisaprerequisitefordoinggreatwork.Youhaveto putinthetime,there’snoshortcutsinthisfieldifyouwanttoputoutexcellentwork.

What'snextforyou?Doyouhaveanyotherexcitingprojectsintheworks?

JohnLeeShannonofCirclesAroundtheSun/GratefulShredandIhaveaprojectthat’s gettingstarted.I’msogratefuleverydaythatI’mverybusywithcustomordersandeach oneisspecialandexcitingintheirownway.Thisismydreamlife.

Thankyousomuchforyourtime,it’sbeenapleasure!Iffanswouldliketolearnmore aboutluthierGregDeLuis,visithiswebsitebyscanningtheQRcodebelowmakesuretofollowDeLuisGuitarsonFacebook&Instagram!

AllphotosprovidedbyGregDeLuis unlessotherwisenoted. Allrightsreserved.

PhotoCredit:AdamBertaPhotography

with RyanStorm

The15-datesecondlegofGoose’s2023springtoursawthebandjourneyfromtheMidwesttothewestcoast,introducing manynewfanstotheirmusicandthepoweroftheircurrentsound.Withlotsofsmallervenuesthanhavebeenplayed furthereastasoflate,thequintethadtheopportunitytoexperimentinamoreintimateenvironmentthatallowedthemusic totakenewshapesanddirections.

Beginningin Madison onApril13,a statementabouttheforthcomingtour wasimmediatelymadewithmassive versionsof“Borne,”“WysteriaLane,” and“IndianRiver.”Mostnotablythe lattersong,whose“WelcometoDelta” jamhasrarelyventuredoutsideof standardterritory.Peterespeciallyshone inthisshowwithuniquesynthandorgan workwithinthebigjams.

TheYearofBigTseriouslycontinuedto assertitselfthroughtheensuingtwo nightsattheSaltShedin Chicago,now immortalizedintheformofalivealbum (includinganexclusive30-minute soundcheckjam!).Withnewersongslike “EverythingMustGo”and“Thatch” featuredprominentlyinthesetlistofthe firstnight,Gooseconfidentlydelivered whatmanyhavedubbedthejamofthe yearsofar–a30+minute“Hungersite.” TrevorBasshimselfistheleader throughoutthisjamwhichfeatures multipledistinctsectionsandthe beginningofthemanyappearancesof the“CrosseyedandPainless”introjam. Thistwo-chordblissmotif,usuallywith PeteronVintageVibe,becameastaple oftheband’simprovisationaltoolkit thisspring.4/15’sfirstsetwas highlightedbyanincredible“Echoofa Rose”->“InsideOut”pairing,thirty minutesofhigh-qualityGoosejamming. Inthesecondset,truepandemonium wasunleashedduringwhatquickly becameknownasthe“Saltcakes,”a “Pancakes”ofepicproportionsthatsaw thewholebandpouringeveryounceof energyintothebreakneck-speedjam thatrefusedtostoppeaking.Completing thepreviousnight’sunfinished “Madhuvan”intheencore,Goose continuedwest…

In St.Paul,thebandonceagainblended thevibey“Tumblé”withthesong’s originalcomposedsectionandjam. Whilethetwopreviousversions performedinthiswayhadasortof uncertaintytothem,Goosewasready andpulledoffthetransitionfromslowto fastperfectly.Embarkingonalongand exploratoryjam,thebandwoundupin thefirstfullperformanceof“LooseEnds” withlyricsoftheyear,tyinganeatbowon therepeatedteasesthathadshownup throughoutthespring.

Withadayoff,thequintetventuredinto themountainswithatwo-nightstandin Bozeman,Montana.Nightonewasall aboutarock‘nrollvibe,madeclear duringthefirstset’s19-minute “Elizabeth”whereRickletloose flamethrowersuponflamethrowersof guitar(andWELCOMEBACK“Doc Brown”!).Therealstaroftheshow, however,wasthe“RosewoodHeart” deepinthesecondset.WithSpudsreally attackingthedrumsandasuperpunchy groovedeveloping,Peterwould eventuallypickuphisguitar(anatypical shift)tolendadarkandcrunchytoneto thejam.Goeddereallywentforitduring thisfast-pacedimprovasheturnedoff mostoftheoverheadstagelights,using thetallpanelsbehindthestagetoadda spookytonetothesynth-drenched music.Asmoothsegueintothefirst “WeirdFishes”coversince11/16/21 andasmooth“RedBird”->“ButterRum” putaniceexclamationpointonthefirst night.ThesecondnightinBozemansaw anothersurprisebustout–“Cantaloupe Island”wasplayedforthefirsttimesince 12/5/19andwasacompletein-themomentaudiblebytheband.Laterinthe show,“EverythingMustGo”gotthe second-setjamvehicletreatmentits previousversionshadbeenhintingat, RickandPeterabsolutelylockinginona hotminor-keygrooveinthemiddle.The year’sfirst“NoRain”(didPetertease DarkStar?)continuedastrongsetahead of“Hungersite”andanincredibly efficient“Madhuvan”closer,markingthis two-nightstandasGoose’sfirst-everrun inMontanawithoutaplayof“Escape.”

In Boise,theycameoutswingingwitha “FactoryFiction”-infused“AllINeed”in thefirstset,whileanouter-space “WysteriaLane”tookcentrestageforthe secondframe.PetershoneonVibewhile therhythmsectioncreatedatom-heavy base.Goeddeutilizedhisspeciallight curtainthatispartofthepared-down smallvenuelightrigtopaintthebandin aplaidpatternasthejamwentintothe deepreachesofouterspace.

Culminatingwithabuildinto“GetThe FunkOutMaFace,”Goosedeliveredon therestoftheshowwithanextended “JeffEngborg”setcloserandthereturn of“LeadtheWay”afterthelongestgap initshistory.

PAissuesplaguedthefirstsetofApril 22ndin Seattle,wheretheshortened firstsetcontainedmultipleattemptsat “LeadUp”andapush-upcompetition betweenJebbandNaveedastheissues werefixed.Returningforamassive secondsetandafixedsoundsystem, Gooseuncorkedtheirlongestjamtodate ina45-minute“EchoofaRose.” Musicallygoingalloverthemap,this behemothholdsyourattentionfromthe firstnotetothelast,andwasa statementthatthebandwasnotgoingto letsomesillytechissuesgetintheway ofanincredibleconcert.“Sleepwalk” madeanappearanceforthefirsttime since12/31/21laterintheset,while BobSeger’s“HollywoodNights”founda perfecthomewithin“Arrow”forthe secondtimeinrecentmemory.Forthe secondnightinSeattle,apartyvibe permeatedthroughouttheshowwithan absolutelyphenomenal“InYourEyes” RHYTHMICCLINICinthefirstsetandan extended“HotTea”toopenthesecond. Trevorfrontedthebandonthefirst-ever “AchyBreakyHeart”playedinfrontofa liveaudience–itsonlyother performancewasduring2020’s BingoTour.

Headingdownthecoastto Eugene, perhapsthebestshowofthetour–musicallyspeaking–happenedatthe intimate800-seatMcDonaldTheatre. Onceagainutilizingthesmallerlightrig, Goeddeshonealongwiththewildimprov journeyinthefirstset’s“Borne”asRick threwupwaveafterwaveofdelayloops asPeterleanedheavilyintotexturesin tandem.Anincrediblesoundscapetook shapethathastobeheardtobe believed.SomearecallingittheJOTY… Whilean“EmpressofOrganos”second setopenerisusuallyasignofarelatively standardpieceofimprovtokickoffona highnote,Eugene’stookaplungedeep intothedarkandevilthanksonceagain toPeter’sVibeandsynthwork.Rick rippedapartminorkeyarpeggiosthat broughtAC/DCtomindasthemusic acceleratedintoaboilingmotif.Bythe timethesongwasover,Eugenealready hadtwohigh-rankingjamsinthebooks. “RosewoodHeart”wasupnextandwas 20minutesofcharging,focused Goosejamming.

Allfourbandmemberslockedinforthe entirethingandputthepedaltothefloor, leavingthemostly-unfamiliarOregon crowdwithjawsonthefloor.An emotional“Peggy-O”andthealwaysincendiary“Arcadia”setthebandoffto thelegendaryWarfieldTheatreinstyle.

CelebratingtourmanagerSamKing’s birthdayonthefirstnightin San Francisco,GoosebustedoutTedTapes cut“Dragonfly”forthefirsttimesince 6/10/22duringaspontaneouslyspacey “IntotheMyst”jam.Drumswerekingin therestoftheshowthroughoutthe beast-mode“Pancakes”andexceptional “RedBird.”Jebbespeciallyhasreally grownintohisplayingoverthepast coupleofmonths,contributingmoreand moretotheband’ssoundwitheach passingshow.Nighttwowasanalloriginalaffairwhosehighlightsbegan earlyinthefirstsetwith“Elizabeth.”The usualchoogle,ledbyRick’sbrand-new DeLuisguitar,transformedintoa majesticandbeautifulblissmotifinthe secondhalfthatsoaredintoaperfect “NotAlone”landingpad.Set2opened withanabsolutelyincendiary“Thatch” (whatversionisn’tincendiary?), stretchingpastthe20-minutemarkfor thefirsttime.GroovyPetertune“FeelIt

Now”keptthevibegoing,butthereal improvisationalmeatwouldn’tcome backuntiltheencore’s“Madhuvan.”

Beginningwithatidalwaveofeffectsand sounds,Rickbroughtthebandback abovewaterwithadarkandeeriespace thatgraduallyandsmoothlytransformed intoarockingmajor-keypeak reminiscentofafamiliarsongtomanyin thecrowd.

Thefinalshowoftourproperandtheonly outdoordatetookplacein SanDiego –whileontheshorterside,thebandstill offeredanenergetictwosetsforthe SoCalcrowd.Asurpriseshort-gap appearancefor“LooseEnds”within “Rockdale”andablissed-out“Arcadia” shoneinthefirstsetwhileafiery-turneddreamy“Hungersite”dominatedthe secondframe.

Twonightsin NewOrleans attheDaze

Betweenfestivalforthetrueconclusion tothetourwereexcellentaffairs–highqualityfestivalsetswithstandout versionsof“AllINeed,”“Tumble”(with anincrediblejaminthemiddlethat soundedalmostpre-composed…shoutout Aardvark),“Thatch,”and“Hungersite.” Therealstar,howeverwasthe“HotTea” featuringNealFrancisonkeysandThe HornSection.Playedintheslowerand horn-centricalbumarrangement,vibes werehighasPeterandNealsharedthe rigandtradedsolos.Thehornstooka strongturnwithitwhileallonstage sportedmassivesmiles.Golistentothis ASAPifyouhaven’talready!

Anotherspringtourwrapped,anotherlengthyexcursionwithGooseonceagainproving thattheyareawarmchange-of-seasonband.Asweheadintoanearlysummertour filledwithfestivaldatesandanotherlongheadliningrunnothappeninguntilSeptember, wewillnodoubtbelisteningtothecontentsofthesespringshowstimeandtimeagain. So,untilnexttime…GOOOOOOOOOSE!

ReadmoreofRyan’sshowreviewsandmoreatryanstorm.substack.com.

PhotoCredit:AdamBertaPhotography

SamWray:LoveandRhythm Chicks

with LisaGoverna

Triggerwarning: Thisarticlecontainstopicsthatmaybedistressingforsomereaders. Topicsincludedepression,anxiety,suicidalthoughts,andaddiction.Pleaseengagewiththis writtenpiecethoughtfullyandpracticeself-care.

Ifyou’vebeentoaGooseshow,chances areyou’veseen Sam.Youknowthechick withthebig,beautifulsmile,thecutest fits,dancinglikenobody’swatching, huggingherfriendsattherail,emitting themostinsanepositiveenergyyoucan feelfromacrosstheroom?Yup,that’s her!She’sabeamingrayofloveandlight, anempatheticfriendtoall,andthelove ofBenAtkind’slife.

Buthumansaredualisticbynature;what weoutwardlyprojecttotheworldis exactlythat—aprojection.Sometimes, weshowexactlyhowwefeel.Our projectionisatruereflectionofour thoughtsandemotions.Sometimes,they don’talignatall.Sometimes,we’re sufferingsilently,butitlookslikewe’re livingthedream.Soundrelatable?Sam getsittoo,andshewassokindandbrave andvulnerabletoshareherjourneywith us.Let’sdigin!

SamenteredourGoosecommunityorbit viaherrelationshipwithdrummer BenAtkind,butshewasafanbeforethey gottogether.Howdidtheymeet?

Agoodol’fashionedTindermatch. “Itwasrightatthestartofthepandemic March2020andeveryonewason lockdown.I’dbeentothreeGooseshows prior,andhadabsolutelyfalleninlove withthemusic.Soofcourse,Icouldn’t saynotoadatewiththedrummerofmy favoriteband.NeverwouldIhaveguessed thatthiswouldbethebeginningofawild adventureandabeautifullovestory.”

Benmadehispassionforstarchclear fromdayone.“Ourfirstdateconsistedof Benmakingmepotatoes(theSpuds nicknameisnojoke)andwatchingalive stream.Ihavenoideawhatthebandwas becauseweweresoexcitedtotalkand gettoknoweachother.Therewasan instantconnectionandwefellinloveso effortlessly.Thepandemicallowedusthe perfectopportunitytogettoknoweach otherbecausehewasn’tontheroad.”

Samissogratefulfortheopportunities she’shadtosupportBenandGooseon theirroadtosuccess.Thelivestream fromthetopofRockefellerCenterisone ofherfavoriteexperiences.

“Ijustrememberthismagicalfeelingof watchingthepersonthatIcareforthe mostfulfillinghisdreamandplayingina spacelikethis.Itwasdefinitelyapinch memoment.Tobeabletobethere, standingontopofthatbuildingwas surreal.Icouldn’tbelievethatIwas allowedtobeapartofthismoment.And youbetIwastheredancingmybuttoffon thatroof.It’sreallywildtothinkabout thoughbecausethere’satleastadozen momentsthathavethatsamemagicfor meastheRockefellerGoosemas…Ben sittinginwithUmphrey’sMcGeeat Suwannee,RadioCity,BingoTour.So manymagicalmomentstochoosefrom!”

Ourcommunityhashadtheprivilegeof watchingtheirloveblossomoverthelast threeyears.There’sbeencountless photosandvideosofpiggybackrides, handholding,backrubs…Howcanyou notlovetheirlove?!Theirsoulmatestatus wassealedduringtherescheduled GoosemasatMoheganSunon2/26/22. BenproposedtoSamonstageinfrontof thousandsoffans.

PhotoCredit:BenAtkind

“Thankgoodnessthereareliterallya thousandvideosofthismomentbecauseI blackedoutgoinguponstage.ThesecondI heardthelastdrumhitonEmpress,Iknew somethingwasup.IthoughtmaybeBen droppedastickorsomething.Thesecondhe reachedforthatmicrophone,Iknewexactly whatwashappeningandIblurtedout,‘You sonofabitch.’Theothergirlshadtoliterally pushmeuponstage.”Youcanactuallysee Sammouthingthosewordsinavideoofher gracingthehugestage.Itwasanepicshow formanyreasons,butitwassospecialfor everyoneinattendancetobeincludedin theirbeautifulmoment.

Samisblessednotonlywithanincredible partner,butalsowithalovingfamilyinthe Atkinds.“Letmetellyou,Iwonthein-law lotterywiththisfamily.Ben’smomandI haveaspecialconnectionwithsomuchlove. There’snooneIwouldratherjokearound withandharassthanBen’sdad.Hissister Mikahwaslikeaninstantbestfriendforme.

HissisterEliseandherfamilyareas wholesomeasitgets.I’mactuallywearinga braceletrightnowthatMikah,Elise,andIall havethatsays‘sisters’,andbraceletsthat say‘weloveyouAuntSam’frommysoonto beniecesandnephew.Anddon’tletme forgetthecousins.Benhassomanycousins andtheyarealljustspectacularhumans.”

Sowhat’sthefairytaleceremonythesetwo lervbirdshaveinmindfortheirnuptials?

“Weactuallyhavezeroweddingplansright now.Ihatetheideaofspendingatonof moneyononeday.AndBenplayedin weddingbandsforyearsandhe’sbeentoso manyweddingsthatneitherofusreallyjust wanttoplanthewedding.Iwouldn’tbe surprisedifweelopeandhaveapartywith friendsandfamilytocelebrate.Forus,it’sall aboutthelove.”Soundsperfecttome!

Currently,BenandSamarefocusedon buildingtheirlovenestastheyrecently purchasedtheirfirsthometogether. “Mycreativityisflowingwithallofthe projectstomakethishomeoursanctuary whenofftheroad.Ilovehands-onprojects. Growingup,myparentsbuiltthehousethat wegrewupinandasafamilywebuiltalake houseinupstateNewYork,whichhasgiven mesomeexperienceandmademe superhandy.”

Iloveagoodlovestoryasmuchasthenext chick,butwhat’sunderthesurfaceofSam Wray?Whoisthisspeciallady?Let’sdiga littledeeper…

Samisfascinatedwithpeopleandinspired byartandnature.TheGoosecommunityhas allowedhertoindulgeinbothofthose passions.“Iloveconnectingwithhumans andgettingrightintothe‘real’stuff.Ioften findmyselfstruckwithcuriosityaboutthe worldaroundme.Meditation,reading, painting,anddocumentariesaresomeofmy favoritewaystospendmydowntime.Music ismyhappyplace.Igotoconcertsatour localvenuesanychanceIget."

"Igrewupplayingviolin,guitar,piano, harmonica,andsinging,butnowIleaveit tothepros.Ilovehikingwithmypupand sittingwithnature;thesunshinefuelsmy soul.Istartedhoardinghouseplantsabout twoyearsagoandonlykillabout20%of thematthispoint.”

SheattendedUMassAmherstfor undergradtopursueacareerasaSpeechLanguagePathologist,butherinnate abilitytoconnectwithpeoplewas undeniable.Shediscoveredameaningful workthattrulyfulfilledher.

“AfterworkingwithchildrenwithAutism SpectrumDisorder,IknewIhadtopursue aspecialtyinautism.Ididagraduate sequenceatUConntobecomea DevelopmentalSpecialist,andforthelast eightyears,IhavebeenaDevelopmental Specialistforinfantsandtoddlerswith disabilities.Ifellinlovewithsupporting familiesthroughtheprocessofacceptance thatcomeswithhavingachildwithautism. Itwassoeasyformetofallinloveand connectwiththeseneuro-diverselittle ones.Ifoundmyselfdedicatingallofmy timeandenergytoreadingthelatest autismresearch,learningfromdifferent specialties,watchingwebinars,and spendinghalfofmypaycheckon accessiblesupportsforthekids Iworkedwith."

"Iwantedtorevolutionizehowwesupport theAutismpopulation.I’veexplored differentpositionsinthefieldincluding performingevaluations,leadingteamsof therapists,trainingteachersand therapists,andprovidingdirecttherapy.”

Smart,successful,madlyinlove…the projectionisasrealasitseems.Here’s wherethedualitykicksin.Samhasa historyofdepressionandanxietyalong withco-occurringdisorders.Despiteliving herdream,Dr.Darknesscamecreepingin andrefusedtobeignored.Shemadea necessaryandprofoundselfdiscovery.

“Ilookedinthemirroronedayanddidn’t knowwhoIwas.Thework-a-holic DevelopmentalSpecialisthadlostherfire andalongwithit,heridentity.Ibecamethe girldatingthedrummerofGoose.Andfora while,Ilovedit.But,justlikemyjobtitle,I letthistakeovermyperceptionofmy identity.Islowlymovedawayfromdoing thethingsIloved.Myhobbies,friendships, selfcare,creativity,andsomuchmore witheredawayuntilIwasunrecognizable. Mydepressionandanxietybegantokickin atfullforce.Ifoundmyselflookingtowards substancestobringmeupanddown.And withthat,2022becamethemost challengingmentalhealthyearthatIhave everexperienced.”

PhotoCredit:JayBlakesberg

“Inthepreceedingwintermonths,Ihad donealotofquarantiningwhileworking fromhometomakesurewedidn’tget COVIDandtheshowscouldcontinue.The isolationpairedwithmylossofidentity sunkmetonewlows.Idecidedtofindmy baselineandembracesobriety.Withthis, newchallengesarose.Ididn’tknowhowto selfregulate.Iwasalwayslookingfor externalremediestobalancemyinternal storm.IttookcouragetofacethecodependenciesIhaddeveloped.Andso muchpain.Icannotdownplaythepain.It wassotremendousIwanteditalltostop. ItwaswhenIstartedlookingforwaysto endmylifethatweknewIneededmore supportthanIhadathome.Withthehelp ofmyfriends,family,therapist, psychiatrist,andBen,IflewouttoSierra TucsontogetthesupportIneeded.Sierra Tucsonisaresidentialtreatmentcenter thatprovidessupportforarangeof behavioralhealthproblems.Justlikeany othertreatment,itwasn’tmagic.Itdidn’t ‘fix’me.Butwiththeirsupportandmy commitmenttomymentalhealthjourney, itwaseverythingIneededittobe.Istill struggle.Istillhavedepressionand anxiety.ButIalsohavetools,knowledge, support,andsomuchmore.Ithasallbeen abeautifullypainfuljourneyandIwill foreverbegratefulthatIdidn’tquitalong theway.”

Tiredandweary,lostandreachingout, onlythenwillyoufindyourself…Samhas sinceembracedthispartofherlife,and ratherthangiveintoit,it’sfueledher passion.“Asbeautifulandmeaningfulas thisexperiencehasbeen,I’mfeelinga changeinthecurrentandashiftinmy careergoals.Sincegoingonmyown mentalhealthjourney,Iamfindingthatmy passionisshiftingtowardsthemental healthfield…Ispendmuchofmytime workingwithNAMI(NationalAllianceon MentalIllness)whereIrunasupportgroup foryoungadultswithmentalillness,and BacklinewhereIworkwithateamof inspirationalhumanswhoprovidesupport totouringprofessionalsinthe musicindustry.”

Let’shighlighttheimportanceofwhy Backline,a501(c)(3)non-profit,isan essentialresourceforthemusicindustry. Whatalotofmusicloversdon’trealizeis thevastmajorityofprofessionalmusicians andtheircrewsdon’thaveaccessto affordablehealthinsurance.Theyare forcedtoturntotheextremelyexpensive privatesectormarketorpayastronomical pricesforoutofpocketmedicalexpenses. Ontopofthat,musiciansandtheircrews areinaconsiderablehighrisklineofwork; tourlifeistough.Longhoursontheroad, physicalexertionloadinginandout, performingfor3+hoursanightfor thousandsofpeople,allwhilefightinglack ofsleepandoperatingonadietbasedon convenienceratherthannutrition—these arejusttheobviousopportunitiesfor physicalinjury.

Caraccidents,brokenbones,Covid exposure,orfoodpoisoningfroma questionabletruckstopglizzycouldresult inacripplingexpense.Thefinancialblowis worsenediftheshowcan’tgoon.

What’stalkedaboutevenless,arethe mentalstressesplaguingtheindustry. Isolationfromfamilyandfriends. Depression.Anxiety.Socialmedia pressure.Stigmasglorifyinglifeonthe roadgaslighttheactualemotionsand experience.Treatmentisn’teasily accessible.Prescriptiondrugsneededto regulatearen’taffordable.Allofthis compoundsintoaperfectstorm.

Withdrugsandalcoholabound,many industryfolkfallvictimtovarious addictionsinanattempttoselfmedicate theiruntreatedissues.Thecycle continues.Whatdoyoudowhenyour meansbecomesthemeanstoyourend?

Rehabistimeconsuming,stigmatized,and outofthebudget.Newmaterialneedsto bewritten,recorded,andpromoted,so tourlifecarrieson.Andonandon… Benefitshows,GoFundMecampaigns,and othercrowdsourcedfundinghavebeen normalizedasthegotomethodfor generatingrevenueintimesofcrisisfor artists.Thoughit’sbeautifultoseemusic communitiescometogethertosupport artistsinneed,it’sunreliable,inconsistent, andmostdangerously,it’sreactionary. Helpdoesn’talwayscomeintime.

THISiswhytheworkBacklinedoesisso important.Theyconnectmusicindustry professionalsandtheirfamiliestomental healthandwellnessresourcesthat specializeinthechallengesfaced specificallyinthislineofwork.Theycan helpstopthecycle,orbetteryet,provide preventativecarebeforeuntreatedissues becomelifethreateningproblems.

PhotoCredit:SparkmanClark

Ittakesanimmenseamountofstrengthand couragetogethelp.Samisashining examplethatitcanbedoneifyou’rewilling tobehonestanddothework.“I’msoproud oftheworkthatIhaveputintomyselfasI healmypersonalandgenerational traumas…I’vecomeoutofareallydark placeandithasbeenthehardestthingI haveeverdone.I’msoproudoftheenergy, love,andcareIhaveputintomyself.Itreally isthemostrewardingworkyoucando. There’snobetterinvestmentyoucanmake thancaringforyourmind.”

WearesogratefulforSam’sbraveryin sharingherstory.Beingvulnerableis uncomfortable,butevenifjustoneperson feelslessalone,feelsinspiredtoempathize withothersnomatterwhattheirprojection lookslike,itwasasacrificeworthmaking. “Iwanttobeapartofthesolutiontobreak thestigmaonmentalhealth.Tomodel vulnerability,compassion,andacceptance. Forotherstoknowthattheyarenotinthis crazyworldalone.ThegratitudeIhavefor theGoosecommunityandthemusic communityingeneralisimmense.Tohave theopportunitytobeasupportivepartof thisbeautifulhumancollectiveandhearhow otherscanrelateandconnectissospecial.I aspiretocontinuegrowingandstayopento newpathsthatIcomeacross.”

Youdon’thavetobeasoldierallthetime. Knowthatlifecomesbetterinlove.Give love.Acceptlove.Youareworthy!

“Reachouttoyourfriendswhen youneedsupport.Offersupport whenyouhavespacetogiveit. Askingforhelpiscool. Therapyiscool.Becool.”

BelikeSam.

Tolearnmoreabout Backline,a501(c)(3) non-profitthatconnectsmusicindustry professionalsandtheirfamilieswith mentalhealthandwellnessresources, pleasescantheQRcodebelow:

PhotoCredit:AdamBertaPhotography

PhotoCredit:AdamBertaPhotography

PhotoCredit:EmWallis

PhotoCredit:JayBlakesberg

AsananonymousGoosefanoutside TheCapitolTheatreoncesaid:

withotherpeoplewhoalso obsessoverGooseisdivine.”

Atitscore,musicfandomisasocial phenomenon.It’ssomethingpeopledo together.Intherealmofadedicated fancommunity,suchastheGoose community,thebandandtheirmusic generallyserveastheinitialcatalystfor fans’interestandengagement. However,whilethemusicitselfis undoubtedlyafoundationalelementof thefandom,thesocialbondsthat definethecommunityareaboutmuch morethanjustthemusic.

Asalicensedmusictherapistanda dedicatedmemberofthejamband community,mypassionliesinexploring theintricaterelationshipsbetween music,people,andwell-being.

Embracingbothaspectsofmyidentity hasallowedmetogainaunique perspectivethatperpetuallytransforms theprismthroughwhichIviewthe jambandcommunity.Anditiswithin thiscontextthatIcontemplatethe dynamicsandinteractionsamong Goosefans,andhowordinaryyet significantmomentsofengagement, discourse,and sharedexperiencespromoteboth intrapersonalandinterpersonal connectionandgrowth.

AfrequentGoosefanactivityisthe creativediscussionofsongs.These discussionstakeplacebothinperson andonline,wherenumerousgroups andthreadsexistspecificallyforthis purpose.Variousfacetsofeachsong areinvestigated,suchasitsorigins,the eraandcontextofitscreation,its composer’spersonalexperiences,its playcountandstatistics,itsplacement inthesetlist,itspotentialconnections toothersongs,andmore.Fans enthusiasticallyexchangeawealthof knowledge,analyses,hypotheses,and theirownuniqueinterpretations, intertwiningpersonalconnections, resonances,andperceivedmeanings.

MusicFandom andtheImpactofSongDiscussion

with TamaraSastow

Notonlyarethesediscussions intellectuallystimulating,buttheyalso providevaluableinsightsintopeople's innermostthoughtsandfeelings. Songsthatholdaspecialsignificance tosomeoneoftenreflecttheirpersonal philosophiesandlifeexperiences, revealingmeaningfulaspectsoftheir identity,andcreatingspaceforgenuine conversationsaboutintimatematters thatwouldusuallyrequiremoretime andtrusttodevelop.Throughdeep explorationofthesesongsandtheir nuancedmeanings,fanscome togetherinvibrantdiscussionsthat enrichtheircollectiveunderstanding, andstrengthentheirconnectiontothe band'smusicandtoeachother.

Musichasinherenttherapeutic qualities.It’saphenomenonofrituals, spirituality,holistichealing,social unification,recreation,and entertainment,andhasbeen associatedwithhealthandhealingin severalculturesaroundtheworld.And todaythere’stheprofessionofmusic therapy.Classicallydefinedasthe clinicalandevidence-baseduseof musicinterventionstoachieve individualizedgoalswithina therapeuticrelationship,musictherapy isaspecializedfieldthatutilizesmusic anditsvariousfacetstoaddress cognitive,physical,emotional, aesthetic,mental,spiritual, psychological,andsocialneedsof individualsofallages,indiverse clinicalcontexts.

Withinaclinicalmusictherapycontext, theimplementationofpsychotherapeuticsongdiscussioninvolvesa strategicallystructuredprocessto optimizeitstherapeuticimpact.The exactformatandtechniquesusedvary dependingonfactorssuchasthe musictherapist'stheoretical orientation,thetherapeutic environment,andthespecific treatmentgoalsandobjectives establishedforeachindividualclientor group.Itencompassesabroadrange ofapplications,andtypicallyconsists ofactivelistening,explorationand reflection,discussionand interpretation,andintegrationand application.Thetherapistselectsthe songbasedonitstherapeutic relevance,carefullyconsideringthe lyrics,melodies,theme(s),andoverall musicalqualitiesandelements.Itis thenutilizedasacatalystfor therapeuticexplorationanddialogue.

Therapistandclient(s)activelylistentothe selectedsongtogether,afterwhichclients sharetheirimmediatereactions, emotionalresponses,andanymemories evokedbythemusic.Throughstructured discussions,clientsengageinthe interpretationofthesong,sharing personalinsightsandreflectingonhow themusicresonateswiththeirown experiences,thoughts,andemotions.The therapistactivelyguidestheprocess, offeringpromptsfordeeperintrospection andfacilitatingameaningfulexplorationof thesong'sthemes,symbolism,and underlyingmeanings.Asclientscontinue workingwiththemusictherapist,the valuableinsightsgainedfromthese discussionsareintegratedintothe broadertherapeuticjourneyovertime, allowingthemtoforgeconnections betweentheexploredthemesandtheir personalexperiences,relationships,and growthobjectives.

Inagroupmusictherapysetting,song discussioniscommonlyutilizedto enhancecommunication,self-expression, interpersonalconnection,andpersonal growthwithinthegroupdynamic.It createsasenseofconnectionandsupport withinthegroupasparticipantssharein thecollectiveexperienceandemotions relatedtothemusic,reducingfeelingsof isolationandpromotingasupportive environment.Italsocultivatesempathy andperspective-takingasindividuals listentoeachother'sinterpretationsand experiences,whileenhancing interpersonalskillsanddevelopinga senseofcommunity.Theclinicaluseof songdiscussioninmusictherapycanbe particularlybeneficialforindividuals strugglingwithemotionaldistress,trauma, orcommunicationdifficulties,asit providesastructuredandaccessible mediumforself-expressionand therapeuticgrowth.

Byexploringtheprofoundimpactofsong discussionsinaclinicalsetting,we witnesstheparallelbenefitsofsimilar, lessformalengagementswithinthejam bandcommunity.Songdiscussionsthat takeplaceamongjambandenthusiasts notonlyfosterdeepconnectionsand strengthenrelationshipsbetweenfans, butalsoofferaglimpseintothe therapeuticpotentialofengagingwith musicinthisway.Aswereflectonthe parallelsbetweenthesetwoworlds,we areremindedoftheuniversallanguageof musicanditsabilitytotouchhearts, createconnections,andinspire transformativejourneysofrecovery, self-discovery,andharmony.

“ObsessingoverGooseisfun, butobsessingoverGoose

Onedayinthesummerofthefuture,Mike waswalkingdownthestreet,reallyenjoying himself.Thebirdsweresinging,thesunwas shining,andforthefirsttimeinhislife,hehad gottenlotteryticketsforFalltour.Still, somethingwasmissing.

Allhislife,Mikehadfeltalittlebitlikeaghost. Hehadfriends,butmostofthetime,Mike enjoyedbeingalone.Andhedefinitelydidn’t enjoysocialmediathewaymostofhisfriends did.Thatdidn’thelp,either.But,Mikedidn’t likehearingthepeopleonline,andwatching themboast.Hewasquieterthanthat;and sometimesfeltjustalittleoutofplacewith everyoneelse.

Mikewasmindinghisownbusinessand gettingsomeplant-basedgroceriesatthe supermarketwhen…aspaceshipcameoutof nowhere.Itwasunderstated,asophisticated graycolor,withwindowsandwheelsjustlikea Sprintervan.Mostpeopleprobablywouldn’t haveevenrecognizeditasaspaceship,but Mikeknewbetter.Hehadbeenstudying astrobiology,andastronomyforaslongashe couldremember.Hewasn’tsurewhathe lovedsomuchaboutthesun,planets,and stars,butbecauseofallthoseyearsof reading,Mikesawsomethingthatgave itaway.

Thewheelsonthebottomoftheshipweren’t actuallymoving;theywereglidingjustabove thesurface.Onlyaspaceshipcoulddothat. Mike’spacequickened;hehadtoseewhatit wasallabout.

“Whatintheworldisgoingon?”askedMike. “Inthisworld..ortheirs.”

Atthatverymomentthespaceshipcrashed veryquietlyintothesideofTerryAlfredo’s Osteria.Nooneevennoticed;theyprobably thoughtitwasjustanotherelectricscooter accident.Theshipdidn’tevenlookthat bangedup;justafewscratchesthatseemed toberepairingthemselvesinfrontofhiseyes.

Mikewenttoseeifthepersonorwhateverit wasinsidetheSpaceshipwasokay.Hewent uptowhatlookedlikeadoor,andoutstepped an…Alien.

“Beboo,”saidtheAlien,whoalsohappenedto bedressedinwhatcouldonlybedescribedas anearly80saciddenimensemble…onacid. Mikeknewitwasanalienbecauseofjustone detail;at-shirtthatread,I’mwithTweeks.

TheEarthlingandtheAlien

By B.Cheese and PhDJ

Mikeknewthattherewasnohumanonearth thatwouldspellTweekzthatway;theonly possibleexplanationwasthatthisalmost completelyhumanthinginfrontofhimwas actuallynotfromthisplanet.Atthatmoment, thealienaskedaquestion. “Wherehavewegone?”

“Hello,”saidMike.“You’velandedherein Connecticut.It’sthedayoftheannual GoosemasinJulycelebration.”

“Whereshouldwego?”theAlienreplied, lookingaroundwithuncertainty.Itdidn’t appearhewasallthatimpressedwith whateverthisConnecticutplacewasallabout. Mikeunderstood.TheTri-Stateareawas home,buthadneverreallyfeltlikehometo him,either.Also,thestreetswerestartingto fillwithmusicfans,Goose-shapedfoam fingers,andstreetcartssellingthetraditional hotdogsandbananasonsticks.Thatcould definitelyfreaksomeone…ersomething out.

TheAliengotserious,oratleastwhatseemed serioustoMike.“Arewefromthisplanet?”it asked.Mikepaused-howshouldheanswer that?Isanyonereallyfromanywhere?And howcouldMikeknowwheretheAlienwas from?Hewasstillamazedatwhatwas standingrightthereinfrontofhim.

“Idon’tknow,”Mikeansweredhonestly.Itwas atthatpointthathenoticedsomethingabout theAlienthatchangedeverything.TheAlien wascarryingabookcalled “AWesternSun.”

“Howdidyougetthat?”Mikeasked,witha senseofurgency.“AWesternSun”wasoneof therarestbooksinallGooselore.Apparently, Rickhadwrittenthestorywhilehewasouton Trey’sboatatsunsetoneeveningcelebrating TabooseTourIX.Rumorhaditthattheonly physicalcopyhaddriftedtothebottomof BoweryBay,alongwiththelastoftheevermysterious ElGooseTimes firstvolumes.No onehadseenitsince;untilnow.

TheAlienreplied,inperfectEnglish,bythe way,thathispeoplehadbeenholdingontothe bookformanyyears,knowingthatoneday theywouldreturntogiveittoitsrightfulowner. Fortunately,advancesinanti-agingandautotunetechniqueshadmadeitpossibleforRick andallthemembersofGoosetoretainthe samelusterasalways,andsohavekepttheir legionsoffansinthesamestateofElThirst asalways(respectfully).Whatkeptnaggingat Mike,however,wasevenmoreimportantthan thebookitself.

IftheAlienshadbeenonEarthatsomepoint andknewallofthisabouthisfavoriteband, thentheymusthavelivedhere,hethought, alsonoticingaBingoTourstickeronwhat lookedlikethebackbumperofthespaceship.

Mikewascompletelyperplexed,andwithout thinking,muttered,“areweearthingsor aliens?”underhisbreath.

“Ijustdon’tknowanymore.”

TheAlienlookedup,andtoldMikethetime hadcometothinkofadifferentwaytospend hisdays.

“Checkin’thatemail,watchin’theclock,”he toldMike.“That’snowaytolive.Weusedto belikeyou;workingforbosseswhodidn’tcare aboutus.Theywerejustalwayseagertotame theflock.”

TheAliencontinued,“Butyouknowwhat?You thinktheynoticewhat’sintheair?Noway, Mike.Wehavetotakecareofourselves,and eachother.There’snoPlanetBforthe billionaires.Onlyforus.So,areweearthings oraliens?”

“Idon’tknow,”Mikereplied,againunsure.It wasthenthatherealized.

Thatwasnospaceship.Itwasafullyrestored 1985VolkswagenVanagon,paintedinasleek Chrome.AndtheAlienwasactuallyhisold tourbuddyEthan,whohadmovedtoSalvation MountaininSlabCity,Californiaabout15 yearsago.Mikerealizedthatthemushrooms hisroommatehadleftonthecounterwerenot forhisfamoushomemadeveggielasagna.It allmadesensenow.Kindof.

EthanhadcomebackintotownforGoosemas inJulybearinggifts.Mostnotably,rarefinds likethebookandthemisprintedTweekz airbrushedshirt.Wherehadhegottenallof those,Mikedidn’tknow,anddidn’twantto know.Theyhugged,andMiketriednotto noticeEthan’sextralongarmsandfingers.It wassurelyjustthemushroomlasagnatalking.

Afterafewminutes,Mikefoundaticket,and hewenttoGoosemasinJulywithEthan.From thatdayforwardtheyhadagreatbondwith eachother,eveniffromtimetotime,Mike noticedEthaneatingReece’sPieceswhile ridinghisbikeinthenighttimesky.To celebratetheirfriendshiptheyevenwrotea songcalledEarthlingorAlien.Itwasmostly thesamequestionrepeatedoverandover again,becausehestilldidn’tknow.

a TedtheGoose cartoon by JonCaruso

We'llhelpyou,Ted... underonecondition. Acceptthepastasitis andlookforward,notback. Elmeghasspoken.

Whodaresdisturb themightyELMEG?

SpecialFeature: RiseUp OntheTide

Aninterviewwith:

DevinPieroni (MarketingSalesManager) & with ChefRickGallego

ParkerOlen (Owner,CreativeGuru, LabelArtist,BeerNamerGuy andmanyotherthings)

Wearegoingtotrysomethingalittledifferentforthisone:insteadofdoingarecipewearegoingtogetthe"tea"ononeofMainetopcraftbreweriesMastLanding.Inmyreallife,I'mtheGeneralManagerofOperationsforarestaurantgroupinBoston.Withinthat,Iamalsothebeerbuyerforour3 restaurants.Thisjobhasgivenmetheopportunitytobuildrelationshipswithsomereallycoolpeoplewithinthecraftbeercommunity(andhugeGoose fans)like DevinPieroni (MarketingSalesManager)and ParkerOlen (Owner,CreativeGuru,LabelArtist,BeerNamerGuyandmanyotherthings).Ihadthe chancetochatwiththeseguysaboutallthingsGoose,artandbeer.Ihopeyouenjoyandplease SupportLocalBreweries

CanyoutellusaboutMastLanding?

Sinceopeningin2016,wehaveshowcasedour beersatfestivalsacrossthecountryand internationally,sharedthemwithnewfansherein theNortheast,andpouredthemforcountless localsandvisitorsatourtaproomsinMaine.We prideourselvesinbeingapproachableforallbeer fans,regardlessifyouarealevel4Ciceroneor justhadyourfirstNewEnglandIPA.Wewant everyonetofeelwelcomeatMastLanding.

Wefocusonbrewingthehighestqualitybeers whilealsousingourindependenceand sociallyconsciousmindsettosupportourlocal communityandindustry.Ourgoalistomake surethateachMastLandingbeerthatyoudrink isamazing.

Couldyoutellusalittlebitaboutyourself,when youstartedatmastlanding,whatyourjobis there,etc.

I’moneoftheownersofMastLandingandlead everythingonthecreativesideofthecompany. Myfavoritepartofmyjobisdesigningthecan labels,aswellasnamingeachbeer.Iprettymuch havefullcreativefreedomtodowhatIwant,so it’sfuntobeabletoletmusicinfluencemy creativeprocess.Weactuallyjusttookatallyand MastLandingcurrentlyhas33beersthatare namedaftersongsorlyrics.That’sprettycrazy.

Ihave8yearsexperienceworkinginbeerandgot mystartinDistributionandworkedmyway throughafewbreweriesbeforeendingupwith MastLanding(Harpoon,MillHouseBrewing, Singlecut).Inthepastfewyears,Imovedupfrom NYCandcurrentlyliveinthewoodsofRhode Islandwithmywife(Cassie)and2dogs(Feeand Chance;yes,"Fee,"asinthePhishsong).I've alwayshadapassionforCraftBeersincemyearly restaurant/bardaysbutalsohaveequallovefor livemusic.I'veseensomanydifferentbands throughouttheyearsbutalwaysenjoyseeingJam Bandsthebest.Theatmosphereiswhatgotme onthebus(astheysay)andhaven'tlookedback since.LiveperformancesarewhereI'matmy happiestandIlovetheconnectionsmadethrough themusicandthepeopleyoumeeteachtime. Goosehasbeenabandthatreinvigoratedthat sparkformeandit'salwaysapleasurewhenIget achancetoseethem.

DoyourememberthefirsttimeyouheardGoose andwhatwasyourfirstshow?

IfirstheardGooseduringthesummerof2019.It wasatacookoutinthebackyardofafriend’s housewhoisamassivePhishfanandTimeto Flee(fromPeachFestival2019)cameon.During thejam,Iimmediatelystoodupandwentoverto theiPhonethatwasplayingtoseewhatband playing.Itwasgameoverfromthere.Ihadbeen insomewhatofamusicrutforafewyearsand Goosecouldn’thavecomeintomylifeatabetter time.Unfortunately,likealotof“newer”Goose fans,thepandemicstartedbeforeGoosecould makeituptomyareaforashowandafterhaving tomiss2showsinarowduetoCOVID,Iwasable toseemthemliveforthefirsttimeduringthe TABOOSETour.However,I’vebeenanalmost nightlymemberofthecouchtourcrew since2020.

ThefirsttimeIheardGoosewasonaroadtrip backfromPeachFestivalin2018.Ijust happenedtofindthemonBandcamp(Ibelieveit wasashowfromKentucky)andonceIheard "Madhuvan"forthetime,Iwashooked.Myfirst showwasattheYarmouthDrive-InontheCape on9/12/20.Itwassuchanoddtimetoseea concertbutIthoroughlyenjoyedmyselfthrough thebalmycoldnight.Irecommendalisten becauseit'sbyfarthebest"YourOcean"> "FishintheSea"I'veheard.

WhatwasyourfirstbeernamedafteraGoose song?Whatgaveyoutheinspirationtoname itthat?

We’vehadmanybeersnamedafterjamband referencesandlyrics,butourfirstGoosebeerwas “ChasingSatellites”from"HotTea"ofcourse. "HotTea"isoneofmyfavoritesongsandIlovethe line“…beenchasingsatellitessincewelandedon themoon.”SoIjumpedattheopportunityonceI hadanideaforthelabeldesign.Ithinkthename hasacoolringtoitevenifyouhavenoideawho Gooseisaswell.

Whenyoudesignalabel,whatcomesfirst.The beer?Anidea?TheName?Howdoesitallcome together?

Everybeerisdifferent.Iwouldhavetosayit’s probablyaprettyevensplitbetweenallthree.

SometimesI’mtryingtomatchabeernameand labeltoaccuratelyrepresenttheliquidinsidethe can,butothertimesIhavealabeldesigninmy headthatI’mwaitingfortherightopportunityto useonabeer.However,Idohavealistofabout 200possiblebeernamesonmyphone,halfof whichareprobablymusicreferences.

Howmuchdothemusic,theartandthebeer worktogetherforyoupersonally?

IoftentellpeopleIhavethebestjobintheworld becauseIgettocombinemyloveofartandbeer togetherandgetpaidforit.Whenmusicisadded intothatequationit’sreallyhardtoimaginebeing happierdoinganythingelseforacareer.At MastLanding,we’vedoneafewcollaborations beersthathappenedorganicallywithotherbands likeYoungTheGiantandGusterandthose experienceswereincrediblenotonlyon professionallevel,butapersonallevelaswell. Whatotherreferencesdoyouhavelinedup downthepipe?

We’vegotanotherGoosethemedbeerreleasing inJulytocelebratetheirshowatThompson’s PointinPortlandonJuly6th.Selfishly,I’mhoping itwillpersuadethemtoplaymyfavoritesong, "FactoryFiction,"duringtheshow.

FavoriteMastLandingBeer?

DDHTellTalePaleAle.

Ohman!It’shardtopickjustone.Iwouldhaveto sayrightnowI’mlovingourSessionIPA“Little Victories”butmyfavoritebeerchangesfrequently throughouttheyear.

FavoriteMastLandingLabel?

33(collabwithVitaminSea)*BigCelticsFan ThisisobviouslyatoughoneformeandI’mnot sureIcouldeverpickjustone,butthelabelfor “BeachfrontProperty”isdefinitelyoneofmyalltimefavorites.Ithinkit’soneofthoselabelsthat representsthetasteandvibethatweweregoing forinthatpilsner.

ForallthingscoolandcraftbeerintheNEareaandbeyondyoucanfollowme@thecuratedcraftma