The el Goose Times: Volume Four

Goosefans,newandold,aredrawntotheband’seccentricstyleandelectricperformances,flowingfrom“thekindofchemistryonlypossible amongsmall-townandlong-timefriends”–astheAboutsectionofGoose’swebsiteexplains.Inthisvolumeof TheelGooseTimes,wewantedto takeadeepdiveintothecreativegenesisofGooseandspeakwithalong-timecollaborator,tracingbacktotheirformationinWilton: WillThresher. Anextremelyhumbleandtalentedartist,WillwasakeyfigureinestablishingGoose’screativeidentityintheirinfancy.

InadditiontobeingtheWriterandDirectorof ShenanigansNiteClub:TheMovie (Goose’sfirstfull-lengthmovie),WillwastheManagerofVasudo andahugecontributorinearlyGoosecreativesuchastheMoonCabinalbumcoverandtheoriginalGlogo(withthewing).Withthereleaseof theirnewmovie,itfeltliketheperfecttimetoreflectupontheband’sastronomicalgrowthbyspeakingwiththeirlong-timefriendandcollaborator, whichhistorytracesallthewaybacktoWiltonHighSchool:

Let’sdiscussyourhistorywiththeband–howlonghaveyouknownRickandTrevor?I believeyouwenttoWiltonHighSchoolwiththem,ifIrecallcorrectly.DidVasudofollow shortlythereafter?

Inhighschool,wekneweachotherbutwedidn’treallyhangout,besidesmaybesomeexchanges atparties-TrevorwasayearaheadofmeandRickwasayearbehind.IknewofTrevorbecause heusedtocomeintomyscienceclassforhisownAPworkorsomething,andtherewasarumor hewassomegenius-levelscientist.Thatmayhavejustbeeninmyownhead,butthat’showI rememberT.ImetRickthroughfriendsovergamesofSmash[ed.SuperSmashBrothers]at Rick’shouse.RickwasaGamecubedisciple,andIwasanN64purist.Needlesstosay,itwasa rockystartthatneededyearsofforgingmutualrespectintheruinsofHyruletobuildhealthy roots.

Vasudocameaboutafterhighschool.

RickknewIdidgraphicdesign,sohereachedouttometodosomethingsanditgrewoutofthat.Mostofthe typicalmanagerialdutieswealldidtogether,butduringthattimeIdidthecreative,lights,photo/video(Chris Quinnwasabigpartofthattoo),recordedandreleasedtheliveshows/setlists,bookedsomeoftheshows andpromoted.Ithinkwhathelpedusthemostinthebeginningwaswejustwentforit.Wecalledvenuesand basicallytalkedthemintolettingusplay.Oncetheygotinfrontofpeople,themusicdidtherest.Wehad bookedatourfromCTtoColoradowithoutreallybeingabletoaffordit,butwefoundaway.Welivedtogether forashortperiodoftimetomaximizeourtime/money(thegrocerystoreattheendofourstreetbaked muffinsyoucouldsmellfromourhouse…sometimes,sweetdeliciousbutterrummuffins).Itwasaneverendinggoodtime.Beinginthepracticeroomandlisteningtoalotofthesesongstakeshapethatpeoplestill lovetodayandwatchingthemimprovedayafterdaywassomethingthatmadeahugeimpactonme.Iwanted tomatchthatenergy.Vasudowasn’taroundforthatlong,butwepusheditreallyhardandendedupplaying

becausewearesofarpastmyoriginaltimeatGoosethatitwouldbeadisservicetotheirteam-whohavereallymadeGoosewhattheyaretoday (tosayanyofmyinfluenceremains).Itreallydoesn’t-they’vecomesofar.Peter,thewizardhimself,wasn'teveninGoosewhenIleft,togiveyou anideaoftime.

However,someofmyfavoritethingsIdidwastheoriginalGlogowiththewing;Idrewthecabin/tree/mooninsidetheMoonCabinalbumandthe titleismyhandwriting.IhadahandinorganizingandhandlingdecorationforGoosemas-whichcamefroma“VeryVasudoChristmas”.Ialsodid QualityNews3duringBingoTourwithChrisReidforGoose.Inaddition,IbroughtinJonnyLovering,whodoesalotoftheirartworkstill(andhasa toptiername)-Ilovethatpeoplegettoseehisworkbecausehe’sareallygreatandtalentedhumanbeing.Ialsowroteandproducedthe GoosemasBattleoftheBandsvideoandnow ShenanigansNiteClub:TheMovie.It'shardtotopSNC[ed. ShenanigansNiteClub]astheanswer, butIwillsaymakingtheBattleoftheBandsvideowassofunandcareless-zerostressorexpectations.

Sinceyou’vebeeninvolvedfromtheverybeginning(evendatingbacktotheVasudodays),whathasitbeenlikeseeingthemgrow towheretheyarenow?

Tothisday,Irandomlygethitwithwavesofhappinessoverit.Ihavean immense senseofpride.Anyoneinvolvedorsupportinghadnodoubtin theirminds.Theyhaverawuniquetalentandarealwayspushingtoimprove.Itwasalwaysaquestionofwhen,neverif.

IbawledmyeyesoutattheWallStreetTheaterGoosemasshow–IhadnotbeentoGoosemassinceFactoryUndergroundanditwasthe culminationofeverythingtheseguysworkedsohardfor.Everythingweeverdreamedaboutdoingwasfinallyhappening and itwasjustthe beginningofwhatthey’redoingnow.Imettheircrewforthefirsttime,alltheseincrediblytalentedpeople,init,makingthesethingshappen. Passionateaboutbeingthere.ThebestwayIcandescribethatexperienceisanoverwhelmingsighofrelief.Thatwasalwaysthegoal-tobuilda crewofcreativepeople-andthat’swhattheydid.ToseeitallcometofruitionandknowthesepeopleIcareaboutareingoodhandswas incrediblyemotionalandfulfillingforme.Icouldn’tbehappierforthem.Theydeserveit.

Shenanigans

Thankyou!TheBattleoftheBandsvideowastheresultofRickchallengingmetowrite/shootinsteadofprocrastinating,soIwrotesomethingin15 minutesandweshotitinadayortwo.ThetrailerwithTerryAlfredo,FrankieBoscoandFranzPetitLupenwastheresultofRickcallingmeand sayingsomethingalongthelinesof,“TrevorandIaregettingpermsandmopeds,justbringyourcameraandwe’lllike…figureitout.”Itwasonthat dayIgotagimbal[ed.ahandheldmechanicalstabilizer]!Ifyou’veusedoneofthose,I’msureyoucanimaginemynightmareasafirst-timeuser.

ShenanigansNiteClub:TheMovie wasconceivedoutofthatsamespirit,butitgrewlarger,soIwouldputemphasison“thusfar”.Oncewereally gotintothisproduction,welovedtheprocessofit,andwereconstantlydiscussingwaystoimproveinthefuture.Welovetomakethingstogetherwehadtime,andthere’snobettertimethannow-sowewentforit,butthiswasdefinitelytheearly,scrappybeginningsofsomethingwe’dliketo taketoahigherlevel.Creative,fun,educationalchaos.

Intermsofthecollaborativeprocess,I'dsaythat’salwaysbeenourstrongsuitasagroup andtheirstrongsuitingeneral.Allideasareheardandtalkedabout.Eveniftheyaren’t applied,theprocessalwayscreatesbetterresults.Thereweremanytimesonsetwhen dialoguewouldbetweakedorcompletelyre-written.Rickrewrotemostofhislines,which gavewaymorelifetothecharacterofMickandChriswasinstrumentalincreatingthe Australianscene.Itwasverycollaborativeinthatsense.

Everyonehadalotofresponsibilitiesandtookthemonwithouthesitation.Amongthe manythingshedid,BryanMurphyspent days inatinybathroomwithpoorventilation recordingfoley.Takenoutofcontext,it’ssomeoftheweirdestshittobedoingaloneina tinybathroom.Imaginesomeonewalkinginonyoustandinginapanofgravel,pattinga windbreakerwithasticktapedtoaspoonwhilelightlyblowingintoakazoo.Hehasalot ofpatienceandnevercomplained.He,RickMitarotonda,PeterAnspachandTre Cassettaquiteliterallycarriedthisoverthefinishline.Withoutthem,itwouldn’thave beencompleted.Trevor’shousewasHQandalotofthesetsandheneverquestioned anything.ChrisReidandJeffArevalobuiltawholebarinhisgarage!AlongwithCarina Immer,whowasresponsibleforwardrobe/makeupandalotofrandomthingsonset,all ofthemhelpedtremendouslyduringproduction.

Ouractorsworkedlonghoursandforalmosteveryonebeingnewtoacting,theyalltookitonseriously.There’snothingcoolerthanseeingpeople performsomethingyouwrote.Ittweaksadeeppartofyourheartandopensupyourmindtohowpeopleperceiveyourwriting.Ontopofthat, nearlyeveryonetookaturnrunningsound,orbreakingdown/settingupsetsorhelpinginsomeway.Everyonewasalwayslookingforawayto help.It’sagreatenvironmenttoworkin.

http://www.elgoosetimes.com

Onthepostside,IeditedwithBryanMurphyandRickMitarotonda,didsomeofthefoley(thatwasmostlyBryan/PeterbutIgotmynuggetcrunches inthere)andallofthevisualeffects.Thereare40+VFXshots.I’mabignerdforspecial/visualeffects,I’vealwayswatchedmoviesfromthe perspectiveofhowisthismade,soI’vealwaysbeenfascinatedwiththissideoffilm-making.Ilovedeverysecondofit.Evenifmostofthose secondsarewaitingforthingstorender.IevengottocreateminiaturesforJoe/Mitch’sfinalstand-offwhichwasalotoffun.Iwas very newatit, thiswasmyfirsttimedoingitonlivefootagebesidesafewsocialmediavideos.MygoalwasCW’s Supergirl levelofVFX,oratleast90’sB-Movie andalthoughIhavealottolearnIthinkfora few oftheshotsIgotthere,soI’mahappyguy.It’salotoffuntodo.Thebestpartaboutthiswhole experiencetomeiswhatyoulearn.Ifyou’reinterestedinsomething,goforit.You’lllearnalotmorebytryingandfailing.

ShenanigansNiteClub:TheMovie

TheQueenisKing

elGooseChicksInterviewwith SamKing(TourManager,Goose)

SamKing(TourManager,Goose)

It’slateJanuary2022and SamKing,Goosetourmanagerandtourdeforce,findsherselfthousandsof milesfromhome,responsibleforcorralling,organizing,andsustainingourfavorite5piecejambandand theirentirecrewontheroadfornearlythreeweeks.Howdidshegethere?Turnsout,shewasresponsible forcarefullyplottingthatjourneytoo.

“I’dsaythemostimportantpartofmyjobisactuallyleadinguptothetour.I’madvancingalloftheshows andtakingcareofallthetravelneeds,mappingoutourplansothewholetourissetupbeforeweactually hittheroad.Ofcoursethingschange,butthemoreIcanhandleinadvancebeforethingsaregettingthrown atmedayofshow,thebettertherungoes.”

shewantsherself.She’shadapassionfororchestratingeventssincechildhood.

Liketherestofthegaggle,Samcutherteethwithgritandgoodoldfashionedhardwork.Thisremarkableladystartedherownbusiness whilesimultaneouslyworkingandgoingtoschool.

“IwasreallyfortunatetogotoUSCinLAforcollegewhereIwasinthe epicenterofnetworkingandopportunities.ItookeverychanceIcouldtoget experiencesintheindustry,workinginmanagement,eventsandtouring.I joinedtheconcertscommitteeatmyschool,switchedintothemusic industryprogram,justanythingthatcouldgivememoreknowledgeabout music.IwouldcoldemailpeopleIrespectedintheindustryandaskthemifI couldbuythemcoffeeandaskabouttheirlife,Istilldothistoday.I’vealways lovedlearningandhustling-themorepeopleImetthemoredoorsopened up.”

Samquicklyandsuccessfullymadeanameforherself,andbeganstacking herimpressiveresumecoordinatingtoursforNitroCircus,SkrillexandJon AndersonofYes.

“Istartedworkingeventsmysophomoreyearofcollegeandwasimmediatelyhooked.Igotexperiencefromtheproductionandhospitality sidefirst,andthenmovedintoartistmanagementandtouring.Istartedreallytouringmyjunioryearofcollege,workingwiththis awesomeartist(JustinCaruso)whoopenedforalotofbignamesinEDM,andIwouldtrytolearnasmuchasIcouldfromeveryonewe workedwith.WhenIwashomeIkeptworkingevents,helpedpromoteshows,andassisteddifferenttourmanagers.Istayedintouchwith peopleIworkedwithwhichledtomoreopportunities.AlmosteveryjobI’vegotteninmycareerhasbeenwordofmouthandknowingthe rightpeopleattherighttime.” Despiteaglobalpandemic,stonkswereupforKingTouringLLC.InMayof2020,hernetworkingskillspaidoff,andtheuniversebrought SamandGoosetogetherthroughaconnectionsheestablishedwithanotherincrediblefemaleTalentManager.Aftertalkingwiththe

with LisaGoverna & PaigeCaruso

PicturedAbove: SamsmilinginfrontofBellyUp,Aspen

PhotoCredit:ChrisQuinn

“COVIDhasdefinitelymadeittoughontheroad,butIfeelfortunatetohavebeenabletokeeptouringduringcovidwhenalotofother showsweregettingcancelled.Areallyspecialpartofbeingontheroadistravelingtoallthesecitiesandseeingfriendsyouwouldn’t otherwisesee.We’vebeeninaCOVIDbubblesincelastsummerandhaven’tbeenabletohavetheseexperiences.Goingintoevery tourwetalkabouthowwewanttohandletheCOVIDprotocols,andeveryoneiswillingtomakesacrificesinordertokeeptheshows going.Wedoeverythingwecantostayhealthyinadifficultenvironment,becauseweknowwhat’satstake.”

Alas,afternearly2yearsofshowsandzeroCOVIDcancellations,itwasourbelovedMecca,Goosemas,thatfellvictimtothewhimof thevirus.Whiletherestofuswallowedintheheartbreakofthepostponement,thelogisticsqueenansweredwithaheroiccallto action,reschedulingquicklyandmaintainingapositiveoutlookonthesituation.“Ithinkwe’reprettyluckythatweonlyhadoneshowto reschedule,andwithabigeventlikeGoosemasittookreschedulingallofourtravel,gearrentals,hotels,andnowpreppingforthe eventasecondtime.Nowwe’vehadadditionaltimetoprepandwe’reallsoexcitedforthisshow.”

Aspartofafullandwellroundeditinerary,Samensureseveryonecanenjoy theirraredaysoffandstillmakeittothenextshow.Prioritizingandplanning recreationalactivitiesthebandandcrewwanttoexploreontheirtravelsis essentialtotheirwellbeing.

“Thispastrunwehadsomereallyincredibleoffdays.Thebeautyoftouringina busisyouhavethepowertorouteithowyou’dlike,aslongasyou’rewithin drivinglimitsandgettingtoyourshows.TheguyswantedtogotoMt.Shasta andskiMt.Bachelor,sowehadepichikingandskidaystogether.”

Samtakescareofthepeoplewhotakecareofus.Beingwellfedwhilelivingon theroadisachallenge,butSamknowsprovidingexceptionalhospitalitytothe bandandcrewiscrucialtotheirperformance.ImagineifPeterdidn’thavea veganoptionorBendidn’tgethispotatofixorthechickensataywasdry.Being hangryornotfeelingwellingeneralisnotconducivetoexecutingahighlevel production.Itharshesthegroove,man!Thankfully,Samcaterstoeveryone’s needsandkeepsthevibeshigh.

“Intermsoffoodwealleatreallyhealthy!Itrytofindgreatlocalspots.Weeatalotof asianfoodbecausetheycanaccommodatemultipledietaryrestrictions,andwetryto haveTacoTuesdays!Ourriderisprettystraightforward.We’refueledbyYerbaMates& MatchaandoftengetingredientsforJefftomakehisfamoushomemadeguacamole.”

Totheaveragehuman,thisjobsoundsoverwhelmingandstressful,butSamKing, Goose,andthecrewareintenselydrivenbyonecommongoal:togiveusthebestnight ofourlives.

“Ithinkeveryonewhotourshasalotofpassion.You’renot sleeping,havenopersonalspace,andmissalotofthingsat home,butyouhaveanamazingfamilyontheroadandwork togethertopulloffthesegreateventsandlookoutintothe crowdandseeyou’regenuinelyimpactingpeopleslives everynight.”

Sam’smissionisclear:

”…toconstantlybegrowingasapersonandinmycareerand thisgroupencouragesandinspiresmetodothat.Andthe fanslikeyoumakeitallpossible,it’syoursmilingfacesin thecrowdthatwelookouttoeverynightandarereminded whatwealldothisfor.”

Somehow,amidstexecutingallofthesedetailsforwintertour,SamKingtookthetime outofherbusyscheduletochatwithus.Wearebeyondgratefulfornotonlyher precioustime,butalsoherimmensededicationtoGooseandourcommunity.

THANKYOUSam,whoagainstallodds,inaglobalpandemic,foundawaytocoordinate anddeliverlifechangingandlifesavingperformancestoGoosefansacrossthecountry atatimeweallneededitmost.YouaretrulytheQUEENoftheroad!

SponsoredBy:

PicturedAbove: SambackstageatFredthe Festival2021|PhotoCredit-AdamBerta

SoI’mDEFINITELYnevercomplainingaboutasecondsetAmericanWomanagain. Goosestartedtheir2022touringseasonwitha 14-datetour, spanningfromArizonatoPennsylvania,thatincludedamusicalpalettejustaswide-ranging. Beginningin Tempe onJanuary26th,thequintetdeliveredasolidshowdominatedbytheElizabeth>Tumblepairinginthesecondset.Elizabeth’sreturnto jamvehiclestatusafteratame2021camewithagorgeousjamwithhintsofPhish’sSlavetotheTrafficLightbefore Tumble broughtforththefirsthintsat the(Dr.)darkness-tingedjamstylesthatwouldemergethroughouttherestofthetour–disintegratingcompletelyintoamaliciousspacehighlightedby Peter’sbentdelayguitarandboastinganimpressive24-minuterun-timefullofperfectly-syncedguitar.

GoosekickedofftheCalifornialegofthetourin SanDiego,debutingthefantasticGreatBluetunePancakesinaspectacularfashion,showcasingthesong’s jampotentialandcatchylyrics.OtherhighlightsfromtheshowincludedanexpansivetakeonMadhuvanandthefirstofmanyRosewoodHeartstocrossthe 20-minutemarkthistour.In LosAngeles,thehighly-anticipatedlivedebutofrecentsingleBorneofferedanetherealsynth/guitarbuild-alongwiththefirst AtlasDogsappearance,aslickArrowsandwich,andanenergeticLooseEndsbeforethebandheadedupthecoastto SanFrancisco.Ahigh-energyfirstset boastingthefirstfantasticDragonflyofthetour,aswellasanincrediblypsychedelicYeti->TomorrowNeverKnows->Yetigavewaytoasecondsetwiththe debutofsingalongRedBird(shout-outtothose#StraightBirdn),theever-expandingFifthofBeethoven,andasprawlingEmpresscompletewithJiveIIand Don’tDoItteases.ThesecondnightofSanFranciscomayhavecontainedacool“technicaldifficultiesjam”fromTheLabyrinthintoWritingANovelanda HUGEElmegtheWise,buttherealdefiningmomentcameinthefirstset’s WysteriaLane.Theloneversionplayedonthislegofthetour,theSanFrancisco Wysteriadovedeepintoaneviljamspaceonlybarelyhintedatpreviously.SpurredonbySpuds’heavytomwork,RickandPeterkickedonsomegrimyeffects andheadedstraightforthedeepestanddarkestjamplayedbyGoosetodatebeforedissolvingintodissonantnoiseinasimilarfashiontotheTempeTumble. It’sareallyinspiringjamthatdemonstratestheband’scontinuedcommitmenttotakingrisksanddevelopingtheirjammingfurther.

GroundhogDayin Bend,Oregoncamecompletewiththesecond-ever(andthird,andkindofafourth)renditionofinstrumentalcoverTributetoGoldina showabsolutelydominatedbytheMadhuvan>NoRainsegmentinthefirstset.WhileMadhuvanshowcasedanincrediblypatientbuildthatstayedwithinthe song’sboundariesandNoRainventuredonaspacierexcursion,bothdemonstratedtheimpeccableconnectionthatdual-guitarGoosehas.Peter’srhythm workhasbeenespeciallynotablethistour,drivingjamsinawaythathehasn’tdoneinthepast.Talkingabout Portland reallymeanstalkingaboutthe EchoofaRose.Splitacrossmostof2/3’sfirstset,thiscombined30-minutejamwastesnotimeduringitssecondhalfandheadsstraightforablistering peakbeforedissolvingintoadissonantspace.Keepingitdark,TrevorsteppedupintoaleadroleandbroughtforthadeepandrumblinggrooveasRicktrilled andPeteractivatedhissiren-synthloop.Afteraddingfilthyanddarkjamtothepantheon,thebandturneduptheheatforthesecondset,deliveringa fantastic20-minuteRosewoodHeartandthedebutofIndianRiver’snewpairingwiththeWelcometoDeltajam(lastseen5/9/21).February4th’sshow featuredareverseofTempe’sSOS>SlowReadypairinginthefirstsetbeforeachurningEarthlingorAlien?(thissongjustkeepsgettingjammier!)andthe firstextendedjamtreatmentoftherecentdebut,AtlasDogs.IwouldalsoberemissifIdidn’tcallattentiontothebigArrowinthesecondset,yetanother versionstretchingpast20minuteswithPeterreallyridinghiswahpedal(anddon’tmisstheFlodownwithitscoolBobDon-esquejam!).ThefinalWestCoast showofthetourtookplacein Seattle onFebruary5thandopenedwithanatypicalfirst-setpairingofYourOceanandHotTeaafterastandardButterRum opener.Wastingnomoretime,thebandjumpedintothesecondoutingofBorneandcraftedagrooveakintoDeodato’sAlsoSprachZarathustra,highlighting Peter’ssmoothVintageVibework.AnotherscorchingsecondsetfollowedwithastandoutpairingofTheOldMan’sBoatandGreatBluedebutJeffEngborg (completewiththefirstMiniMallRapsinceBingoTour)beforeablisteringEmpressclosedoutthesetandthealways-reliableDon’tDoItservedasthe encore.

Thebestshowofthetour(sofar)wouldcomein Bozeman,Montana,onaMondaynightwhennostreamwasavailableforthoseofusathome.Watchingthe setlistrollinwithnoreferencetomusic,IwasexcitedattheprospectofwhatIsaw.DeliveringafantasticcombinationofTheW.S.WalcottMedicineShowand SilverRisinginthefirstsetaheadofa26-minuteAllINeed,thatalmostfeltlikeathrowbacktothe2019behemoths.Anunrelentingsetwitha30-minute CrosseyedandPainless>Dragonflywasclosedbyanotherdiveintotheevilmurkwiththeunlikeliestofvehicles,thegorgeousballad ThisOldSea.Takinga turnawayfromthegorgeousTypeIjamaroundthe12-minutemark,thegroovegotthickeranddirtierasPeter’sstaccatoVintageVibehitsweresoonjoined bythesiren-synthloop.Spuds,Jeff,andTrevorlockedinonafunkgrooveasPeterdrovethedarknessforwardwithelectricpianoandthenheavysustained organ.Thejamrosetoarollingboilbeforeslottingnicelybackintoamajor-keysegmenttoendtheset.Whileitmaynotbeaspurposefulandunrelentingas the1/30Wysteria,theBozemanThisOldSeawillcometodefineadifferentstyleofeviljamasGoosecontinuestoevolve.

Thebandclosedoutthefirstlegofthewintertourwithafour-nightrunthroughtheMidwest.Beginningin Minneapolis withahugeDriveopener,theband movedthroughacoverofTomWaits’GunStreetGirl(insteadoftheobviousChristmasCardFromAHookerInMinneapolisplay)inthefirstsetanddebuteda new,moreup-tempoarrangementto SpiritoftheDarkHorse,breakingitslonggap(lastplayed10/16/21)withahugejam.Eschewingthepeak-drivenjams oftheolderarrangement,thisDarkHorsedoveintoalongandspaceyexploration,highlightedbyTrevor’sincrediblebassplaying.Thebandthenclosedout theshowwithhigh-energyreadingsofMississippiHalfStep,TimetoFlee,andWhiteLights.In Madison,WI,Goosedroppedthehammerwiththetwolongest jamsofthetourinRosewoodHeartandArrow,eachstretchingtoover27minutes.Whileneitherstrayedtoofarfromthesong’sfoundation,bothhavesome greatexamplesoffull-bandinterplay–anddon’tmissthesecond-setclosingArcadia,completewithafilthyTrevorbasssoloandseveralfantastictensionreleasebuilds. Goose’slong-awaitedreturnto Kentucky fortheirfirstheadlininggiginthestatesince12/13/19wasgreetedwithanincredibleshowandthefinestofthe tour(inmyopinion).BlastingoutofthegatewithafierceJiveII,thebandmovedthroughIndianRiver(completewithDeltajam)beforeabrokenguitarstring

beforeaMASSIVE FactoryFiction closedtheset.Insteadofthetypicalballs-to-the-wallsscreamingjamsthesongnormallygetsto,theLouisvilleFFremained inanincrediblypatientjamwithhypnoticguitarfromRickbeforesmoothlyreturningtothesongproperandexplosivelyclosingtheset.TheKentuckycrowd wassenthomeinstylewithJiveLeeandtheendofFlodownasthebandheadedontothefinalstopofthelegin Pittsburgh.Announcingafreewebcastless thanhalfanhourbeforeshowtimewasmorethanwelcometothoseofusathomeandGoosedeliveredafantasticandenergeticshowforboththosein attendanceandwatchingathome.AgentleSilverRisingkickedthingsoffbeforealaid-backandextendedtakeonButterRum(withSpudsvocals!)bledinto TurnedClouds.Extendedjammingdominatedthesecondhalfofthefirstsetwith RedBird crossingthe20-minutemarkforthefirsttimewithadelightfuland energeticjam.Tumblemeltedfaceswithamoltenlavajamasittendstodoandthebandwentoffintosetbreak.Returningforthesecondframe,Goose casuallystartedintoRockdale,givingthisVasudo-pennedsongitsusualdoseofgnarlyfunkandbigpeakbeforeSeekersontheRidgekepttheenergygoing. Aftertakingasecondtoshoutoutmy“request”,JeffledthebandthroughablisteringcoverofAmericanWoman.EmpressandSlowReadyclosedthesetout, theformercontainingasweetjamonTumbléandthelatterintroducinganewshortspaceyjambeforethesynthloopskickedoffthedance-ytypicalSlow Readyjam.EncoringwithPraiseYou(whatafantasticcoverforthem!),Petertookafewminutestoshoutouttheband’samazingcrewbeforewrappingupthe showandlegonahighnote.

Goose’snextconcertwillbetheirlargesttodateandtheirfirst-everinanarenabeforethesecondlegofthewintertour.Thebandcontinuestodelivertheir tried-and-trueimpressivegroove-basedandpeak-basedjamsonanightlybasiswhilealsofrequentlyexperimentingwithnewarrangementsanddarkerjams. Ashugeas2021wasforGoose,2022isgoingtobeevenbiggerandIcountmyselfincrediblyluckytobealongfortheridewiththebandandmost importantly,allofyou.I’malsoprettyexcitedtofinallyseethemlive,sothismightbethelastreviewwithnoattendancebiasinit;)

TedandtheTimeMachine presents

Madhuvan Madhuvan

“Madhuvan”isunlikeanyotherGoosesong.I’mnotspeakingaboutitscompositionorlyricalcontent.Iamreferringtoitsessence.

Atitsfoundation,“Madhuvan,”hasitsrootsinHinduism,specificallywhentalkingaboutKrishnaorKrishnaConsciousness.Accordingtoaninterview ofRickMitarotondawithawriterfromtheInternationalSocietyofKrishnaConsciousnessNewsinApril2021,Madhuvanisrevealedtobeanamefor Krishnaandthatinthereligion,simplysayingthenameofGodisaformofworship.RickfirstgotintoKrishnaConsciousnessaftermovingtoColorado in2014,accordingtothearticle.Afterexperiencinglossinhislife,RickwentdownaspiritualjourneythatallowedhimtoexploreKrishna Consciousnessandopendoorsforhiminordertobetterunderstandhisownpathinlife.

ThosethemesofKrishnaConsciousnessareevidentinthebridgeon“IndianRiver,”withthelyrics“avināśitu/tadviddhiyenasarvamidaṃ tatam/ vināśamavyayasyāsyanakaścit/kartumarhati,”whichcomesfromapassageintheBhagavadGitathattranslatesto“thatwhichpervadestheentire body,knowittobeindestructible.Nothingcandestroytheimperishablesoul.”

ThatbeautifulpassageservesasapathwayintotheinspirationofKrishnaConsciousnessinmuchofRick’swriting,and“Madhuvan”isnoexception.

FirstpremieringatNorwalk’sFactoryUndergroundStudioonDec.12,2014,accordingtoelgoose.net,“Madhuvan”hasstayedastapleinGoose’slive catalogdespiteonlyreceivingastudioversionon2021’s“ShenanigansNightClub.”Knownforitsdrivingversesandalmosttrain-likerhythm, “Madhuvan”excelsatbeingareliablejamvehicleforthegroup,asevidentwiththeversionsofthesonglistedbelow.However,afteryoucrackthrough thespectacleoftheinstrumentation,listenersareleftwithlyricsthataredeeplyprofoundandtouchuponRick’sdevotiontoKrishnaConsciousness.

ThesongmakesreferencetoBhagavatamandDhruva,whichrespectivelyareasacredtextandindividualinHinduism.Rickmadenoteintheprevious interviewthathefoundhimselfinspiredbythestoryofDhruvathatwastoldtohim,whicheventuallymadeitswayintothelyricalcontentof “Madhuvan.”

“SoIrememberoneofthedevoteesendeduptellingmethatstoryofDhruva,anditwassortof,youknow,apersonalconnectiontothestory.Hetold methestoryanditreallystuckwithme,”Ricktoldtheinterviewer.“AnditmorphedintoametaphorforthatsongthatIwasworkingon.”

Outsideofthereligiouscontext,Rickdiscussesthedistractionsandprofoundmysticismofexistenceaswetrytoseekoutadeepermeaningtoour lives.

“IfIhaditall/Whatlifewouldleavemesatisfied/Allofthisgold/Allofthisgold/Itdon'tweighenoughtomakethislifewhole,”Ricksaysinthechorus, reiteratingthatevenifhehadeverythinginthisworld,whetheritbefameorriches,noneofitwouldleavehimspirituallyfulfilled.

However,nomatterwhichwayyouattainspiritualfulfillment,“Madhuvan”servesasasongtocenteroneselftotheimportantthingsinlifeandnotto losewhatgivesone’slifemeaningbeyondthephysicaldistractionsofthislife.

Hereare5versionsof“Madhuvan”thataresimplyacutabovetherest.Doyoufeellikeweleftaversionoutthattrulystoodout?Letusknow.

April20,2019

TheAcoustic Bridgeport,CT

Themostperfectfunk versionofthistunealso happenstobethefirsttimeit wasplayedinthatstyle. Thoughnotquiteas sprawlingasotherversionsof thislist,yousimplycan’task moreoutofthisversion.The swaggeringpliabilityofRick’s playinghereisonfulldisplay, backedbyaferociousTrevor, whoismakingthebasssing ashephraseseachnotewith justasmuchpersonalityas thelast.

Dec.14,2019

TheMousetrap Indianapolis,IN

Asthejamcomesoutofthe gatesfromthisversion,anyone cantellthatthisisgoingtobea trulyspecialversion.Asthe bandseemspoisedtopeakin thejamaroundthe16minute mark,thebandtakesasharp turnintothiswonderfully-weird cosmicfunkzonethatsees RickandPeterhavesomegreat sonicchemistrybeforeleaving thatpocketbehindfora frenziedendtothesong.

Sept.16,2020 SouthFarms Morris,CT

Mothergoose!Thisversionof “Madhuvan”camestraightoutof theatmosphereanddestroyed SouthFarms.Whetherit’sthe “TheOtherOne”homageduring thefirstfewminutesofthejam, Ben’sincredibleprecisionthat nevertiresamillisecondorRick’s freneticinstrumentationasthe jamceremoniouslydescends backintothesong’sstructure, thisversionistheoneyoushow yourfriendsiftheyquestionhow wellGoosecanplay.

June19,2021 LegendValley Thornville,OH

Thefirstandonly“Madhuvan” sandwichonourlisthastogo tothisgem.Asthejambegins tospiralintounchartedwaters, thesweepingsoundsofEl GooseTimes’favorite“Moby” greetslistenerswithopen arms.Afterthetripthrougha superb“Moby,”weare launchedbackintoaback-andforthspaceoperathatbuilds intooneofthemost-deserved peaksin“Madhuvan”history.

Nov.11,2021

ScootInn Austin,TX

Comingfromarguablyoneofthe bestshowsoffoflastyear’sfall tourcomesoneofarguablythe betterjamstoemergefromthe run.Thisversionisincredibly patientinitsapproach,aimingto beatruetestamenttothesumof itsparts.However,asthesong approachesthe18minutemark, thatpatienceunravelstoreveala calculatedfrenzythatleadsinto apsychedelicspacereminiscent ofsomethingyou’dfindonan albumlike“Axis:BoldAsLove.”