Relix - Features - Chris Kuroda Still Shines (Part Two)

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Chris Kuroda Still Shines (Part Two)

This has been known as the sober era for Phish. Do you—both the band and crew—have to come up with new ways of changing your mindset? It seems like as people get older they turn to things like yoga, mediation and more exercise.

Everybody, especially the four band members—and I can speak for myself as well—have adopted similar ways [that] you’ve mentioned. Trey meditates and Fishman does his yoga. They all do many different varieties of those kind of Zen Buddha type of mind-clearing exercises. Whether it’s yoga, meditation, diet or exercise, it puts you in a good mindset and all four of these guys have adopted their own different ways to re-channel the energy that they channeled in such a negative way in the past. And it’s a cool, new positive way. But again, that all comes from education. These guys were smart enough to educate themselves, to know that there are other ways to channel their energy. People who don’t realize that you can do that who have been down the same road that we have—that same dark path—they wind up spending the rest of their life channeling their energy through anger and frustration. They’re not used to being straight and they’re mad about it. Everybody [in the band and crew is] very happy where they are today and with the philosophies that they’ve adopted to take that next step in the chapters of their lives, including myself.

Do you notice a difference in the music now as drugs—psychedelics at least—have traditionally gone hand in hand with improvisational music?

I do. I think it’s more solid in many ways and I think that the music itself is as motivating to them as it was before they started taking drugs. This band, before they started taking drugs, the music was everything to them. And the music was the high, and the presentation of the music was the high. To them, that was their drug. And I see it going back to that, like it was in the late ‘80s, early ‘90s. I see that it’s the music that drives them. That’s a very healthy and positive, full-circle type of experience if you ask me.

How has that, in turn, affected the way that your style has evolved in the current era of Phish?

If anything, it’s made me need to be more precise. There’re no more 45-minute guitar loops where you basically can do anything and it looks fine. It’s made me need to pay attention more to what they’re doing because the jams are way more thought out now. They’re not reckless and out there. There’s a lot of precision to them. If you pay attention enough, you can listen and understand the musical thinking that’s going on at any given live moment. And it’s a lot more intelligent than it used to be.

Trey told Rolling Stone that there will be less tour dates next year.

I’ve heard that.

He cited “family obligations for some of the band members” as the main reason. So it sounds like you will have more time off the road. I’m curious as to what, if any, your plans are. Obviously you want to spend time with your family though, at the same time I assume, you need to work in some capacity.

When I poke around looking for work and get all stressed out trying to find work to fill the void because I need to make money, I usually wind up getting way too stressed out and don’t have that much success. But if I sit back and wait, for some reason the phone always rings with the perfect job. The other thing is I always assume that [the members of Phish] can’t sit still for as long as they think they can and something will pop up within this world, whether it be a Trey tour or maybe some Phish dates will come in the future where there’s not supposed to be any. I’m not saying that will happen, but that’s happened plenty in the past. It always seems to work itself out without me having to exert too much energy trying to find the next thing.

It must be bittersweet when you get an offer for a new gig. On the one hand, it’s exciting you got the gig but then on the other hand you need to break it to your significant other, “Hey, I’m going back out on the road again.”
I always let my wife make those decisions for me. That’s always been the way it is in my married life. Not with Phish—Phish is Phish—and there’s nothing anyone can do about that. But when I did Aerosmith, R. Kelly, when I got offered Clapton, Prince, Black Crowes, and on and on, I always say [to my wife], “I got this job offer. I’m leaving it up to you to decide whether I can go do it or not. If you need me here, for whatever reason, even if it’s an emotional reason, then I won’t go.” And my wife has always, so far, said “go.” But I leave the ball in her court.

What do you have in store for Super Ball IX this weekend? Are you involved in some of the site installations?

I’ve been here for a week programming site installation stuff. I am not at liberty to give any details whatsoever. That’s just not how we roll. It’s never been how we’ve rolled. We like to keep everything—I don’t want to say a surprise—but fresh. We don’t want the people coming in the front gates and know what they’re going to see, even though they’ve never seen it. We’d like them to have the full experience of going, “Wow! Look at that! I didn’t expect to see that here!”

I completely agree. I’m sure you don’t have anything to do with this, but in that vein, any idea why the band decided to start handing out playbills at the Halloween shows? The first couple years they did it, it was so great for the lights to go down for that second set and hear those first couple notes of that cover album and have that be a surprise. It was one of the best parts of the experience. But then they started handing out the playbills. It seemed so un-Phish-like to me.

This is just a guess, but I’m guessing that it’s been justified in the sense that, it being Phish and everybody that surrounds Phish [saying], “Hey, you know what? We don’t want to give it away by giving away the playbills and that’s what we’re doing.” But at the same time, [the fans] already know what we’re going to play. Everybody knows. Even though it’s a secret, they all know. It’s a secret that’s not a secret. Somebody somewhere— in a recording studio or a practice space or a publisher or a publicist or an archivist— somebody catches wind and tells one person and somehow the whole world knows. It’s the hardest secret to keep.

Comments

There are 15 comments associated with this post

Jim July 11, 2011, 16:03:52

I would trade his life any day, any time. Want to talk about missing your family, try working 50-60 hours a week, 5-6 days a week, 50 weeks a year. You get home when the kids are ready to go to bed and you get up as they are getting ready to leave for school. I love Phish, but I can’t imagine with their current touring schedule that life is that rough on the road anymore. 40-50 dates a year. Yup, that is a couple of months away from home. That can never be easy, but it leaves you with 10 solid months of getting to pay attention to your family. I think most guys would give their left nut to have the opportunity to have that much free time on their hands, not to mention, having the opportunity to bring joy into so many people’s lives. Consider yourself a blessed man.

Jeff Volckhausen July 11, 2011, 16:18:39

Thank you Chris for you amazing dedication and passion to your craft. You are a brilliant lighting designer and operator. I’ve been seeing phish since 1992, around 250 shows, and to watch you progress and evolution with the band over the past decade has been absolutely inspiring. I got into the lighting field because of you, and am so grateful to have been motivated by your work. It fully inspired me to take up this hobby and passion, and I have really no one but you to thank for it. Keep up the amazing work, and if you ever get that lighting company going, I’d be happy to come work for you! Sounds like a wonderful idea, and a great way to bring your, or one’s art, into everyones daily lives! Super idea! peace and love,
Jeff

Shannon July 11, 2011, 20:36:52

I really appreciate the level of this interview. It is wonderful to hear artists talking about their real life experience, the struggles, the creativity, trying to balance healthy relationships with passion and work. We are all just human beings, and it’s nice to hear Chris opening up and being real. More articles and interviews like this please! Great work :)

chris p July 11, 2011, 21:16:14

Jim – Toph does a lot of other work besides Phish. and don’t forget Trey gigs, Mike, etc. he’s one of the hardest working guys in the biz. not to mention a good man.

crist July 12, 2011, 03:23:06

My kids love the rich lifestyle i allow them to live, but hate that I have to travel so much for them to live it. If daddy was home and broke i don’t think they would treat me much better.

Jim July 12, 2011, 10:06:02

I guess I came off a little harsh. I didn’t mean too. I just wanted to point out that although Chris is on the road a lot, and does do other projects besides Phish, he is indeed a fortunate person. I don’t think any job is easy, and who wants to be away from the family so much? No one does. But would things be any better if he had a 9-5 job, or a 8-6 job, or like some of us, and 7-6 job. It plain sucks being away from your family no matter what. He does get to do something for a living that is far more exciting and enjoyable than most people could ever hope for in a career though. I realize it is not without struggle and sacrifice. Thank you Mr. Kuroda and Phish. You guys are all at the top of your game now and hopefully living a heathier, happy life than in than in the past. Hopefully you are able to achieve a balance in it all that works for you and your family. Thank you for all that you do for all of us. Seeing Phish is one of the greatest experiences and adventures to be had in this country.

Brad July 12, 2011, 13:34:41

Jim said it best when he said:
I would trade his life any day, any time. Want to talk about missing your family, try working 50-60 hours a week, 5-6 days a week, 50 weeks a year. You get home when the kids are ready to go to bed and you get up as they are getting ready to leave for school. I love Phish, but I can’t imagine with their current touring schedule that life is that rough on the road anymore. 40-50 dates a year. Yup, that is a couple of months away from home. That can never be easy, but it leaves you with 10 solid months of getting to pay attention to your family. I think most guys would give their left nut to have the opportunity to have that much free time on their hands, not to mention, having the opportunity to bring joy into so many people’s lives. Consider yourself a blessed man.

Debby Downer July 12, 2011, 18:19:20

He comes of as a whiney bit@* in this interview. Just sayin

Dmc July 13, 2011, 13:42:20

wow… Now I’m depressed… If he’s not into the lifestyle it’s only going to get bad for him. The dude is brilliant but… he needs to “no mind” a bit more..

Cuss July 13, 2011, 14:23:47

i’ve probably seen phish 40 or so times (not too many) over 15 or so years and i can’t really remember anything THAT striking with the lights… maybe the music is good enough to distract, but still… sorry.

Randolphish July 13, 2011, 15:13:01

Your great at lights. Please seek counseling for your mid-life crisis. We are in a double dip recession and you get to make 6 figures a year working 6 months. Seek professional help!

deelon July 13, 2011, 15:17:04

Cuss: Did you make it to indio in 2009? If you don’t think that’s impressive than there must be something wrong with you. Great article that provides some good insight! thanks for sharing

Soyounoat July 13, 2011, 17:08:51

Hmmmm….is dude catholic? Cause he needs to lay off the guilt. Go seek some counseling – you are blessing your family with a career and its security and you get to indulge your passion. My husband lost his job after the co he worked for went under. On unemployment for almost a year. That sucked – sure he was home all the time but we had to take the kids outta all their extra activities for a while so he ended up missing out on stuff anyway. I realize ck5 wouldn’t be in this situation even if he gave up bright lights and big cities but I mean we all make sacrifices. Cheer up frowney pants!

Billy Breathes July 14, 2011, 17:17:01

I have been seeing Phish since Kuroda’s very first gig with the band. It is amazing what he has done over the years. In many ways, he has changed the entire lighting industry. I hope he finds some pleasure and joy in what he is doing. We all get burnt out at some point in our careers though, even with the best job in the world. Maybe by Phish dialing back the touring a little over the next year will keep everyone fresh and ready for the road. I hope he would never choose to leave Phish, he is the fifth member and his light show is a HUGE part of the mind blowing experience that is PHISH.

Chris Bowman July 14, 2011, 18:37:30

I consider Chris K to be both a good friend and one of my very favorite people to work with professionally. We’ve spent many hours constructing the details of gigs we’ve worked on in tandem, always for the greater good of the show. I find him to be a completely dedicated person, who balances the technical and artistic facets of his work; and to put a sharp point on it ~ he takes whatever time is necessary to “come correct”.... always. I think some of the snarky commentary about this intimate article misses the point by a laughable longshot…. Which (to me, at least…. ), when “boiled down to gravy”, is that it’s hard damn work being as good as both of these guys are, in their respective roles in the outstanding organizations they are a part of….