Trey Anastasio Explains How West Side Story Shaped Phish’s Music

In a new book, NPR’s All Things Considered founder Bob Boilen asked dozens of musicians to name the piece of music that changed their life. The new book, titled Your Song Changed My Life: 35 Beloved Artists on Their Journey and the Music that Inspired It, was released today, and one of the musicians interviewed for the book was none other than Trey Anastasio.

Anastasio responded with a piece of music from the ending of West Side Story, saying that he would listen to Broadway soundtracks on vinyl when he got a record player in fourth grade. He breaks down the emotional power of the piece from a music theoretical perspective, before reaching his ultimate conclusion: “There’s room to use all of the elements of music in popular music.”

Naturally, Phish fans are quite familiar with Mr. Anastasio’s ability to merge musical styles and elements in his compositions.

You can listen to the short interview segment below:

[H/t JamBase]