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Trey Anastasio’s 2012 release, Traveler, is often described stylistically as “jamband meets indie,” owing to the collaboration with famed indie producer Peter Katis, Kori Gardner (Mates of State), Bryan Devendorf and Matt Berninger (The National). In contrast, “Architect” reaches for a different sensibility entirely and blends elements foreign to many Phish fans – a dash of adult contemporary, and a not so subtle nod to a “higher power” and specifically how that outlook manifests in twelve-step programs. Perhaps an equal-time counter-weight to “Bug,” “Architect” drips in higher power themes, an outlook that (among other things) suggests an individual’s control over the course of life’s events is nothing more than an illusion. The “Architect” in question needn’t be God, but rather any power greater than one’s self.

One needn’t have an affinity for such a life outlook to appreciate other elements of “Architect.” In an interview with Mike Greenhaus in Relix, Trey offered some additional insight: 

“Steve [Pollak, aka The Dude of Life] and I also wrote a song for the record. He works with autistic kids and there’s a line in “The Architect” that says a lot to me about Steve: “and if you get a chance, watch the young children dance, in a little while, you will see them smile.” When we were writing, he told me: “Seriously, as a grown-up, you get so hung up and you’re pacing down the street at a million miles an hour, looking at your iPhone. But I stand there and I watch these kids and they just start dancing. And after about two minutes they all start smiling and laughing – and everything seems really simple to me in that moment.”

Watch Architect on YouTube TAB, “Architect” – 1/23/13, Port Chester, NY

“Architect” made its debut with TAB on 10/18/12 at The Fillmore Detroit and was performed in the vast majority of shows promoting Traveler in 2012 and 2013. The TAB version features a an extended percussion intro with Trey on his drum kit, followed by an assortment of keyboards before launching into a straight-forward ballad, followed by a short if engaging jam segment. The TAB lighting in particular reinforces the celestial nods with a star-scape background illuminating an otherwise darkened stage except for a solitary focus on Trey.

“Architect” made its first appearance with Phish on 7/6/13 at SPAC, a rare debut to emerge in a true segue out of a mid-second set “Carini” jam. “Architect” made four appearances on that summer 2013 tour, including 7/13/13 MPP, a surprise show-opener at The Gorge, and a slot on 7/31/13 at Lake Tahoe, famed for the Tahoe “Tweezer.”

Watch Architect on YouTube Phish, “Architect” – 7/13/13, Columbia, MD

(Anastasio, Pollak)
© Seven Below, Inc. (BMI)

All these worlds
Rolled into one
Together we revolve around the sun
And if you get the chance
Watch the young children dance
In a little while, you will see them smile.

Truth may dazzle
Gradually
It all comes out in the wash eventually
Try to catch a glean
If you know what I mean.
You may even see the cogs in the machine

Reconvene, reconnect
Raise a glass to the Architect
‘Cause it turned out better
So much better
Than we ever did expect

Find your treasures
Where you will
Don’t you stop until you’ve had your fill
Wherever you may go
Look around, take it slow
There might be more to this than we all know

And if we have the chance to see the rough draft
I bet the early plans would make us laugh
And it never seems to help when we try to intervene
Some things are better left unseen

Reconvene, reconnect
Raise a glass to the Architect
‘Cause it turned out better
So much better
Than we ever did expect