Andy Frasco's World Saving Podcast - EP 42: Jennifer Hartswick (Trey Anastasio/Ghosts of the Forest)

Episode Date: April 16, 2019

To start the show this week Andy is back in LA and more importantly, back with Todd Glass. The guys talk about their new friendship, some funky memories (mushrooms were involved again), and a potential U.N./Glass Roadshow Extravaganza. The interview hour is another banger. Jennifer Hartswick sits down with Andy to talk about her many talents, life on the road, and yes....Trey and Phish come up once or twice. Episode 42 is live now. Follow us on Instagram @worldsavingpodcast For more information on Andy Frasco, tour dates, the band and the blog, go to: AndyFrasco.com The views discussed on this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of the guests. Keep up with the inimitable, Jen Hartswick www.jenniferhartswick.com Check out Andy's new album, "Change Of Pace" on iTunes and Spotify Produced by Andy Frasco Joe Angelhow Chris Lorentz Audio mix by Chris Lorentz Featuring: Arno Bakker Brian Schwartz  Andee Avila  Todd Glass Shawn Eckels Ahri Findling  

Hey, it's Schwartz. Listen, this is not a joke. You're growing. You're having bigger crowds. Your name is out there. Your profile is growing. You're visible. And this is not a joke.

And I know I'm leaving a message, and I'm sure you're going to put it on your podcast, and that's fine. But you cannot do drugs on stage. You cannot ask for drugs and then do them on stage. I'm telling you, Andy, you're going to get arrested, and you're not going to be able to go to Japan or even Canada or China or any, no more Macau big money gig on New Year's. Say goodbye to all of it. I'm not joking.

Don't ask the audience for drugs. You're not the far side. And don't do them on stage. Talk to you soon. Love you. Bye Don't give frasco drugs take two Don't give frasco drugs Don't give frasco drugs And from the first time he asked the crowd for mushrooms They put him on the keyboard

And Schwartz found out And by the tenth time now he asked for cocaine Half ounce on the keyboard Now the cops found out Don't give frasco drugs Don't give Frasco drugs Don't give Frasco drugs I need your help guys! Let's start the show. Frasco Drugs. Let's start the show. And we're fucking here.

Andy Frasco's world-saving podcast. Another week alive. My co-host today is comedian legend, new friend, new brother, I feel. Right? Hey, Todd Glass. How you doing, buddy? I'm doing great. What's up, dude? What happened? Last night?

What happened last night? We took mushrooms and I went on your show. They were a little stronger than the last time we were on the show. Wow. I told everyone last night on my podcast that we did to listen to the first one because i think it helps understand how we got there last yeah so keep in mind you know last time happened on my birthday last night was i mean you were fucking it was great you brought who you brought um dolov dolov my buddies he's on this show he's he does he's our sportscaster. We love him.

We're like, everybody on the podcast last night was like, this guy's the fucking best. He made the night. He's the ultimate hype man. He's great. He loves energy. He started dancing. And that's why this time I was glad we didn't have this. Last time was what it was. The studio was just packed.

You couldn't move. It was like, you know, we just packed as many. Everybody wanted to be here. This time, we're like, we're just going to have it be the crew. And then when he showed up, we were like,

oh, I hope we're not nervous around him. Is he judging? You know, people... Yeah, I know. That's how it is when you bring like a new person into the family. Like when you already have a fucking thing going. It's like the same thing on a tour.

Like if you bring a new guy in involved on the tour, it might fuck up the whole energy of the ambiance. Right. You know, it's a scary feeling. It is scary. It is scary. And then one second later, we're like,

oh, this guy's the best. We're like little kids. We want to sit with him tomorrow. We want to stand with him at your show on Thursday. He's coming. Will he be with us? Yeah, he will. Hope he hangs with us.

He will. What if he meets cooler people? No, he won't. No, Dolal fucking loves you, will. Hope he hangs with us. What if he meets cooler people? No, he won't. No, Dolal fucking loves you, dude. Todd, this is crazy. I get to pick a comedian's brain. We hung out in St. Louis.

I went to your show. You might not think of it as me doing stand-up, but in my brain, I was on a fucking stand-up stage. And it scared the shit out of me, dude. I'd never been so scared. And I was wondering why I'm so scared. Because this is why I appreciate the fuck out of you.

Because people are expecting to laugh. You know, like, that's like, no one's expecting to have really good music. They're expecting to have a good time. For you, there's so much more pressure as a stand-up comedian. Like, you have to make everyone laugh all the fucking time. How hard is that? Well, I think the good, you're right. You have each other.

It's nice. That's why, oh, man, having, so you're, as a comedian, let's say the negative is you don't have your band members. When it's going bad, you can commiserate with each other. But I guess the positive is when it's going good, you fucking just take it all for yourself. It's true. It's you you which is fun it doesn't mean it's not it's not it shouldn't sound gross it should sound like stand-up comedy is so much fun and just to be able to go out there and do your thing and then you know so with the band what i love about that if look it's fun for

a billion reasons the reason I'm about to mention is just a stupid little side bonus for the but even when I have my little band with me I'm a comedian I get best because

I get it all for me but then if I'm having trouble I got my band there and I go Jesus Christ you know that's the thing

like when you have someone to like a back a backbone to like if something falls that's the beauty of it but like you're like a front you're like a not a backbone to like if something falls that's the beauty of it yeah but like you're like a front you're like a not a front man but you're yeah you're fuck this podcast you

do is you're a front you're the band leader of this fucking chaos like is that was that the idea of doing this podcast is like having your brain be like examined by all your crazy-ass comedian friends and every time you're being a narcissist, maybe they're like, oh, fucking Todd's being a narcissist. Oh, fucking Todd's being a narcissist. I think the podcast, I'm curious if it happens with your music too, definitely influences my comedy. I'm answering your question as far as like, you know.

So I think what happened was like the bits, it's funny you say it like that because it does. It's like they're this orchestra with no instruments. So they're the part of the orchestra. They don't need instruments. And then we add instruments in there. But the guys that are with me every week. So it's like they're the band of just like this orchestra

of people that will back you no matter what, which is comedic. You know, they'll lie. Whatever I say, they'll fucking lie. They got my back. You know, you listen to the show, you can hear it. So having that, and then that we just did in the podcast. But then I started doing it in my act with the band. So the podcast, I think what is the best thing it could teach me is on there, on the podcast, same for you.

You only have your instincts. You're not looking at an audience. Are they liking this? Are they not liking it? So it means you just do what you're really fucking enjoying doing, which ultimately is what you should be doing on stage too. 100%. But this teaches you. Trust your fucking instincts.

I think maybe we need to team up. Well, we were talking about that. your fucking instincts i think maybe we need to team up well we were talking about that you know i sometimes i i make the bad habit of thinking small maybe that you know i'm not not negative i'm not a negative person small i think because i'm afraid if it doesn't happen oh should we tell them what yeah let's tell them look if this worked and it's done right it could work yeah is of course it would be a dream even if we did five dates can it happen so me and andy were talking about like if we went out on tour together first thing i said is andy you'd have to close so i would not do it unless he closed i'll close and i think you know i'm right yeah you're right because i'm no no disrespect

but i know it's me it's it's it's like that's what i love about the music i could annihilate one night you have the ability to take them to this other level through music yeah so you know hopefully the crowd comes in they're good they get settled they sit down i have your band plus some of my guys so now i have what we do in there but with 13 people maybe 13 people doing what i do and then there's a blackout and then you come out and fucking shred the living shit out of them like you know it's like the if you're not fucking exhausted by the time you leave our show then you need help yeah exactly Because all we offered was positivity. My comedy's not mean and negative or angry at people that are just trying to survive.

So, and you have a great attitude. So yeah, that would be, of course, if that could happen. But I think, could it happen? I think it could fucking happen, Todd. Can I tell you some things? I just don't think I'm being negative, but this is just the truth. What I would say, it'd have to be for me, but I think it's doable.

Seated. I agree. But that doesn't mean that the minute I'm done, the way the tour goes, we just ask every club, you say, please, here's something we need. Those chairs get removed off the front so it can turn into people we're gonna dance party yeah you gotta get those fucking chairs off but if there are chairs set up in the front and then the minute i say good night those chairs get fucking just sweeped off and then yeah but seated for comedy for me to be happy what what let's talk about that why why do you think comedy need to be

seated it just seems like hey we going to be here for a while. Sit down. Yeah. And standing, I think, I swear to God, I bet 35% of the people, not dancing. If you're dancing, that's a different story. But when you're standing, your back, whether you're 25 or 30 or whatever, your back starts hurting. Yeah.

And you want to sit down. So for comedy, it's good. I've done a few tours with David. Where's the most awkward gig you've done, like where people are just standing up? And was it just like you felt the vibe was not there? I never like when they're standing. Yeah.

Never. I like a seated room. I like a seated room 100% of the people seated. Like if I'm at a black box theater, I'll always say, nicely say nicely nicely i'm happy people want to come see it so i'm not acting yeah but i go seated i go if two or three comedians are standing on the wall that's fine but i go and the way i explain it to the venue person i go like when you're at a movie theater you ever been you want someone standing next to you i'm like

sit down i paid to have a seat, you know, but dancing, different story. Like, you know, then that's why I get those, you know, those chairs, if the tour worked, would just get 60 seconds. You know, you could make that part of it, play this great song, and all these people sweep in.

You're going to get these chairs. You've never seen it before. How quick can these chairs get removed off the dance floor? Because Andy fucking Frasco's. How quick can these chairs get removed off the dance floor? Because Andy fucking Frasco's coming out. Look at those chairs flying off the dance floor. And we make it a da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da. Just make it into something.

That would be good. It'd be killer. I know. You ever think about taking the podcast on the road? Can I tell you? The podcast part that I love, I get to do by having the band. I think the podcast, I have a theory. What?

Look, I'm not saying I haven't done some live podcast and totally enjoyed it. But I think the theater of the mind is gone, and I figured it out one time. We're doing a live podcast, great crowd. And we were doing a bit. I'm like, why isn't this getting a laugh? And I said to the crowd, it's because you're watching us do it at home you picture us at at wherever we're joking that we are you picture a plane if we're doing a bit and james adomian's the pilot well now they're watching us do it so they see and you go well that's fun too isn't it oh this is what they look like live yeah

so it's the mystery it's the mystery of when we're going, James, you're a pilot. They picture James in a pilot uniform. They have theater of the mind. No budget is as big as theater of the mind. I'm not saying recording your podcast can't be great.

That's not my point. But for me, theater of the mind is like no movie on the planet has the budget of theater of the mind. Theater of the mind,

if you want 100,000 helicopters to come over the horizon, yeah, you do it. And it costs you nothing because it's theater of the mind. You play the sound effect. So to me, I don't want to rob. That's a big part of it for me. I agree 100%.

So I just do the fun parts. And I think so too. I think people enjoy podcasts for the audio, the mystery. You don't know where we are. You don't know how the setting is in the house. You don't know how the lights are lit. you know you could it's like kind of reading it's kind of like reading a book exactly exactly that's why i always said that's why most books it's you know it's it's when a when somebody takes a book and turns into a great movie people are impressed

often it fails and i have my own theory on that is that yeah once theater of the mind don't ever underestimate people's minds 20 people can listen to the same thing and let the mind whatever scares them the most that's how they picture it yeah so they're they're altering theater of the mind let you alter and put then someone has to take a movie with what only a 30 million dollar budget yeah that ain't shit compared to Theater of the Mind. Yeah. So Theater of the Mind is fucking amazing. So maybe that's why people listen to audio comedy too, maybe. I think you're right. It's sometimes better than-

You could visualize the story instead of seeing them. That's an interesting point because sometimes know talking to my girlfriend's brother on the phone we don't facetime that much and nothing he doesn't care i don't care and i'm like sometimes we are facetiming we go you know what let's just go back to talking because you're lit you're listening differently you think oh but seeing the person i'm not negating that if it's nice to be able to when you're out of town to be able to say hello to somebody yeah but sometimes i literally enjoy the talking more because what yeah see my generation all we know is text messaging so talking to me gives me such bad

anxiety what about that tour we're talking about i'm not yeah i want to oh yeah i'm serious let's do it like i think i think comedy and music is the perfect combination Depends what it is Who's comedy and who's music I had a comedian open up for us For a month Kyle Ayers Oh yeah we were talking about him last night

How'd it go? You're fucking right When it was a real venue and the lights were dim And he got the attention it was he fucking killed but when he we played some fucking rowdy ass state school you know in like oklahoma state or something and trying to do bits where everyone's like let's take some fucking jagger bombs like just like bros just fucking do it. That's hard to get their attention. But that's why I think my strengths are as a front man entertainer. I'm on the entertainer side of my musical skills.

I had to fight these fucking Tuesday nights and these Wednesday night state schools where I had to get everyone's attention. That's why I finally got in the crowd. I'm like, hey, fucking Chad. The guys were just not giving a shit and make them part. attention that's why i got finally got in the crowd like hey fucking chad or you know like the guys were just like not giving a shit and make them and then they love it just because you grab their attention because they just like the attention and then if you have something to offer you can keep it yeah that doesn't really work unless you have something to offer so that's probably that's what happened with you you got in the dirt there and you got in and then when

they're like all right we're paying attention then they're like oh fuck this guy's good so however you get them to pay attention and then you have something to offer I think they will cause I've been to places where the band gets my attention

you know something happens I'm like oh shut the fuck up I can be grabbed you know what about when you're like opening

like that Tosh tour when you're touring with the tour bus and like you have five or six guys does everyone like try competition to be funnier? No, you know what? It works out pretty good.

On that last one with Daniel Tosh, I mean, again, speaking of doing it right, we had two tour buses. Two tour buses? It's pretty powerful. Is he that? He sells that many tickets? We did a college tour just on college campuses. And what was it?

How many seats? You can't do a monstrosity. This is where me and daniel like he knows the way i am attention to detail and he does the tour as fucking as focused as you can get 10 000 people what meaning or 8 000 or 7 000 there were a lot of a lot of everything was right like you know when you do a venue that big, every aisle has curtains out to where you can buy beer and stuff? Yeah. Well, on his tour, every single one was manned. You looked up.

You didn't see open light, open light, open light, open light, open light. Every single one, black. So he's a genius like that? All the teletrons. So he knows. Out. But you know that's how he is. So he's like – like that? All the teletrons. So he knows. Out. But you know that's how he is. So he's like, is he attention to detail?

You're very attention to detail. He's pretty good. He gets it done. You know the teletrons? Yeah. Well, they lower the lights on them, but usually they have to be up for his show 10 minutes before they went out. So it starts getting focused. Everything's black.

Then the teletrons go off. It gets darker. There's just spotlights. So he's attention to detail. Then he had his tour bus behind us with his dogs. So he was by himself in a tour bus? He was with his wife and his two dogs. Okay, and then all the comedians.

So you had two tour buses filled with fucking comedians. So there's three buses. And we got along. You know what? We didn't have one. We ate lunch. How many comedians? Four. So two on each bus? No, nowe ate lunch. How many comedians? Four.

So two on each bus? No, no. All four were on my bus, our bus. Okay. Oh, there was two bus roll-ins. There were two buses. Four comedians. And then Tosh.

And then Daniel and his wife and his dogs. So you're like a posse. It was fun. Jen Hartswick is on the show tonight, and she was a trumpet player, classically trained jazz. We talked about Phish, you know. She's the trumpet player for the lead singer and guitar player, songwriter of this band Phish that your producer Johnny loves. John Bram Wagner.

So that's why I think, like, me and you never been to a Phish concert. We should go to a Phish concert and hang out on the lot and do a podcast and just bring all the... Because, you know, Phish is kind of like the Grateful Dead scene where people just hang out on the lot and grab their tickets and they just make the – if they don't get into the show, they make the party on the – I would do that. Let me tell you something. It's fun. It's easy to talk about this stuff.

But when you know that so far you have a track record of doing it you have reasonable to think we're not just gonna go oh we should do that and that never happens you said we're gonna do my birthday show we fucking did it you said you're gonna go to st louis you showed up in st louis you said you're gonna do my podcast last night you ended up coming to do my podcast last night i'm a man of my word todd we said we said we're going to go see you, and we're going to come fucking see you on April 4th. It might have already happened. And everyone's going. Everyone's so excited.

I'm so excited. I was already getting mad at some of my friends if they didn't go. I hated myself. It's so funny because you've never even seen me live before. You just watch videos, which fucking blows my mind. I know. I mean, that's what type of real supportive motherfucker you are, Todd. You love art.

You love just – I see with all the young comedians you're bringing up, like all these kids who fucking love you, and you're giving them the fucking time to get bits in and like rail off. Like every time they say something funny, like I saw this, one of the homies, you're fucking – you're snoring away. You fell asleep. You're tired.

And he's like, he said something super funny. And everyone started laughing. He just looked back to see if he was listening. You know what? Like, they respect the fuck out of you. Well, you know what? It works both ways. And like, you know, because we're saying it's sometimes awkward to take a compliment.

So I always accept it this way. It's like, I like i want obviously you know you can it works both ways you do learn from yeah uh if you if you treat new comedians like oh just because you can do more time or you've been doing it longer i mean there's shit to be learned both ways yeah so that's what's fun about it is that i think i have things to offer them and i know they have things to offer me you know uh so this is why i started that podcast like i get a lot of messages from up-and-coming bands saying like man thank you man you're keeping me on the road i you know i've had some fucking rough times you know this is why

we do this man it doesn't mean a lot to you when you get so fucking much i know like one guy i got a tech or i got a got hit in the d, man, I thought you were a fucking cocksucker when I first met you. Maybe they just caught me on the right moment. And then he's like, no, I've been listening to your podcast and seeing you as the other side of Andy Frasco, the stage performer. And we're all just trying to take care of each other.

And I fucking see that in you, Todd. And it's fucking cool. And it's like, it makes me want to come back to LA and hang out with you more. Well, we're going to do it again. And by the way, to tag what you said about, you know,

getting an email you're talking about, right? Full disclosure, I used to read no emails. I never read them until about five years ago. Probably because I just, I don't know. I just didn't think, I'm not great at reading, you think, I'm not great at reading. Yeah.

You know? I'm not great at typing at all. So to react. Yeah. But once I read one, I, look, okay, granted, I'm not at the point, I'm at the point where I can. Yeah. But once I read one, I can't imagine. Not reading. Once I read one, I went back with this kid that used to work on our show and answered as

many because he would he was basically a court stenographer chris on the on the keypad so i went way back because once i read one i'm like oh to think that this would have fell on deaf ears telling him like what to say we would just go through them go through them all the back ones all the back ones it took us like five days but look look i get it i don't never i can never think of a celebrity big enough to make an example i get jim carrey yeah do that at this point in his career yeah yeah or anybody that but i if i was diligent took five days i could do it but once i read one i'm like it was very hard for me to think of the ones that would have fell in deaf ears because they were so sweet sometimes and so kind and funny sometimes.

So, yeah, I think, you know, anyway. But do you think that's the reason why your fans stuck with you? Because you really care about your fans. You're always inspiring to make new bits. You're always thinking about the fans. Like even this, like we were talking today, like you're always thinking about the next thing. Like we were talking today, like you're always thinking about the next thing.

Is that what is important for us to keep going in this artistic, like, you know, not- I mean, you make a choice really whether you're going to like just continue to love it. Because at one point when I see someone, and look, I feel I'm safe to say this. I've had, I'm very appreciative for the success I've had. safe to say this i've had i'm very appreciative for the success i've had but it's not like i if i was like you know steve martin going i'm appreciative for what i have well of course you are you're so in the level i'm at it takes some snap to moments and overwhelmingly i'm good i will give myself a high grade to just be at this level here where i'm at but appreciate it and uh because otherwise than that what be miserable so i've seen comedians some not all i've i've a lot of my friends that echo my sentiment and that's why we're friends but i've seen some they look like they hate it so much

because they're bored probably they don't do anything new they're bored out their minds i'm like wouldn't it be easier to just get a job? Like, I know you're holding onto this because it's still not a job. You don't have to get up at nine and you're holding onto, really? Yeah.

You look so miserable. I would rather, you know, Don't do it if you're miserable. Just get an eight hour job. This looks hard to do. But that goes with life too. Like people get stuck on their fucking jobs

or they get stuck on what's like this miserable feeling when i think that's just we're just prisoners of our own mind we could get out of that and we could be inspiring again and we could feel young again like you said to me yesterday like i don't want to be the guy who keeps talking about the stories i did 20 years ago 30 years ago i want to be the guy who talks about what i did yesterday i know that's why i'm always so appreciative of that because I get it. I say it from a place of empathy when you see some people as they get older. And look, they've had fun in the last year or two or three or four.

But the times when they were like, just fucking with your friends and just fucking really loving life and with some great people. A lot of times that you really still cherish. It was the older you get, the further. But I am so grateful that, you know, I can go, when was the last time I'd be like, oh, last night, you know, we were with you hanging out. That was like, that's the type of fun you have in high school with your friends. Yeah, yeah.

You know, that just pure joy, right? Yeah. I never take that for granted. So that's the part when you said like yeah just you know i mean it's either just i still enjoy it because um it's still you know that's why i hang out with newer comedians too because it's not so much like maybe it's my own insecurity talking right now oh if i would mentor them or hey if they learn something from me that's great but again it's like you know it uh it when younger people like what you do let's face it it it's nice because if they didn't i would know it like if no new

young comedians ever wanted to come up and and say something kind i would bum me out because i do want the affection of newer comedians they're doing new things and they're excited and that keeps you excited and you want to hang out with them because who else would you want to hang out with more than your old friends and new comedians yeah like you that's in you that's why when i go to a city it's not to go into a club and again maybe my own insecurity so i should stop by an open mic night and be able to be like oh i'm not no it's like where else in that city am i gonna find fun people to hang out with yeah you go to any open mic night any city and you're gonna be able to find two three people so you go on your day off to open mic nights and just a lot of times it's a club i know

yeah so i know the staff too so yeah i'll walk in there on a wednesday night and well the thing is you do it once if it's a market you know nobody in. Yeah. But that's the end of that because next time you go back, you know enough people. Yeah. So you're always walking into where you know – like if I go to Philadelphia, even if I stop by on the local night or an open mic night, I'm going to know most of them. Yeah. Even the newer acts. But not everybody. Yeah.

Sometimes you're at the bar. It's 3 in the morning. You're a comedian. You never even talk to you. You end up being like, what the fuck? They were the coolest. She was the coolest, you know? Yeah, you won my heart on the Wednesday,

or on the Thursday when I came after your show and you just rolled into a pickup truck without asking questions. Like, you don't even ask questions. Like, we only met once, you know? I'm like, hey, I got a pickup truck. We're going to go smoke some weed and take some mushrooms, huh?

Do you want to come? Like, didn't even skip a beat. Let's go. Let's go. It's funny when you hear it like that because it's like- Because I'm the same way. Can I tell you something? You just said something that reminds me.

I have this thing, whenever you're doing anything to really appreciate it, try to think if it was in a movie. Yeah. Not change it exactly what you just experienced, but what would a cinematographer get? What would a cinematographer get? You can always look at any situation and go okay oh it's pretty cool maybe i'm walking through something i'm having fun but maybe i could up a little because this would look real cool in a movie yeah and i wouldn't but so that night you know i'm getting

in that truck i'm not even looking at from that perspective but in a movie it would be dark out the truck. Then you're like, you know, just getting in it. I don't know you. I don't know if I'm going to be murdered. And then I'm doing that without even thinking about it. You're right. I'm getting in a truck with somebody I met once,

two people I don't even know. We're getting in a truck, and we're eating mushrooms like the Cookie Monster eats cookies. Well, thanks for being on the ride with me, pal. We've hung a lot this week, from St. Louis to your podcast to now you're going to come to my show. I just want to say thanks for being my friend. Thanks for believing in me. Thanks for getting a tattoo of my name on your fucking arm.

And the UN. Yeah, and the UN. Thanks for introducing us to the magic magic beans magic beans cool Ripe Ripe

we hope you got your van they're fans on the show they're on the show they've been on the show and Dola I hope you got your bus or your van fixed yeah I hope so too

I'm gonna catch you live because that's what we were gonna do so hope that happens and Dola and Dola ah we love you Dola a new best friend yeah what if we get him nervous I'm going to catch you live because that's what we were going to do. So hope that happens. And Dolav. And Dolav. Ah.

We love you, Dolav. The new best friend. Yeah. What if we get him nervous? We call him every day. What are you doing? No, we want to hang out with you. What is...

No, Dolav. You should do that. Dolav, why are you... Okay, well, last night we were all hanging out. You were supposed to be here. He's like, hey, Andy, it's Dolav. Todd's like, this is really weirding me out. His friends are like mad at me

Because they found that I went to the movie And I didn't invite them Oh, Doloff You got a new friend in Todd Glass I'm going to give Doloff the Mr. Rogers award I'm going to start giving it to people They said when you met Mr. Rogers It gave you faith in how decent we could be as a species

Yeah So I'm going to forward that to Doloff. I fucking love that. Todd, you are such a good fucking dude, man. Go fuck yourself. Go fuck yourself, dude. Ah, fuck you. Hey, fuck off.

I'm in this for you. I'm in this for you. I'm Todd Glass. Why am I still here? I'm going to go crack, sir. Get your face here. My radio. Love you, Todd All right

I got too excited talking with Todd Glass And we never really introduced Our next interview Next up, we have my sweet angel child Baby girl Close home girl Jen Hartswick She's amazing

She grew up in Vermont She's a trumpet player Fucking amazing vocalist She grew up in a musical family And the funny thing is She's in this jam scene But she never was really about jamming Until she ended up

Getting the gig with Trey Anastasio and being in his band, Trey's and Fish, the godfather of this headiness. And although she didn't expect to be in the scene, she started the tour with him in 2001. Since then, she's shared the stage with many legends and has put out amazing solo albums. I'm telling you, her voice is amazing.

Chris, why don't you play a little Hartswick before we start the interview hour. But she's a badass woman. I'm proud to have her on the show. I'm proud to be her friend. I just love her. She's the best. So ladies and gentlemen,

boys and girls, please enjoy Jen Hartswick. I'll catch you on the tail end. The sadness in your very breath The anguish in your smile The boisterous laughter covers up A massacre inside And you can't take it back Memories are burned.

Forever etched. Never to return. You can't take it back. You may not recall But that's no excuse Hi Jen! Hi! What are you doing?

I'm staring at the ocean You're working your fucking ass off Always What's going on? How you been? I've been good The first time we met, I know I'm new of you But the first time we really had a hang was at the Revivalist show in Covington. Yeah, when it got rained out and moved.

Oh, fucked up, but we made the best of it. We did, and you were like, hey, I don't have enough women on my podcast. And I was like, I have a vagina. I actually yelled it. I did say that. I yelled it much louder than I just yelled it right now. I've got a vagina. I'll do it.

Well, it's amazing because you're like one of the dopest trumpet players on the planet. Thanks, man. Yeah, how you been? So, I need to know your story. I don't know too much about you. Let's learn right now. Come on. So, where'd you grow up?

I grew up in Northern Vermont. Northern Vermont. Yeah. Is that how you know all those people? It is. Did you go to college out there? Nope. I skipped out before I went to college.

What'd you do? I grew up in a big old musical family. Everyone is a classical musician except for me. I'm by far the worst musician in my family. Really? What do your dad and mom do? My mom is a music teacher, but a phenomenal clarinet player,

flute player, singer, piano player. My dad's the only one in the family who is not a musician and who listens to the Doobie Brothers in his car and he thumb drums on the steering wheel. That's my dad. Do you think he's the one who really got you into this other side of music? No. Who was it?

You know, it's funny. I mean, inadvertently, yes, because he bought my mom a CD player for her birthday. He's the king of man gifts where he gets mom something that he wants and disguises it. Oh, yeah, that sounds like a man. It's classic. It's classic. So the CD player was invented, and he bought her one for her birthday because he wanted one.

And this is a woman who doesn't listen to anything classical music. And he bought her Anita Baker Rapture, which now I know. I'm like, okay, you get it, dad. But at the time, I was just like, wow. So that was, but because that was our only CD, I played it thousands and thousands and thousands of times. And so I think that's kind of where my love for soul music and R&B, you know, that kind of sort of sparked.

And I was like nine, you know. Were you playing horn before you were singing or were you singing? Yeah. I played horn long before. I mean, I always kind of sang, you know, like it's unavoidable. When'd you start? I started playing trumpet when I was 10. Oh, my God.

I had every instrument under the sun before that. Classically trained? Yeah. And my mom is one of five kids. trumpet when I was 10. I had every instrument under the sun before that. And my mom is one of five kids. She's the only woodwind player. Everybody's a brass player. My auntie's, my grandma's a trumpet player. They're all brass players. Shut the fuck up. So it wasn't weird that I was a trumpet player.

But so yeah, when she had me, she was like, alright, we're going to finally get a reed player in the damn family band. So they knew. They were like, were they greeting you to be a musician? I can do nothing else. Did they want to do, like, some parched family shit or what?

No, they're not that weird. It just sounds weird. But, no, but my mom gave me a flute and a clarinet and, you know, piano lessons when I was four. And, like, it was just, like, what we did. But my grandma gave me my first trumpet. And I was four. It was just like what we did. But my grandma gave me my first trumpet, and I was like, oh, that's it. She your homie? That's it.

She was your homie? Oh, yeah. Still is. Still is. Yep, 90 years old. Damn, good genes, Jen. Fuck. I'm lucky if I make it past 50.

Won't we all? We got to stop coming on Jam Cruise. I know, dude. It's like seven years. I'm sorry. I love Jam Cruise. I get older. I feel like I'm like seven years older, though.

Every time I get off this fucking boat. Every time. So tell me about Vermont, the music scene over there. Was it like, all I think of Vermont is like winters and fucking you're staying in and you're fucking working on your craft. But that's it, because it was so cold for eight months out of the year, you can't do anything.

You either ski or snowboard or stay inside and do an indoor activity. Oh, yeah? So, you know, we just shed. Like, that's what we did. We thought that was fun, you know? Who were the musicians you were growing up with that maybe your friends were still now? There's a ton that came out of there in that teeny little town. Connor Elms, a great drummer michelle lane um you know luke laplante is actually on the boat right now yeah

um you know people who i came up with grew up with played every day you know junior high middle school high school whatever with um there was a really thriving music scene in my childhood for some crazy reason. It's just like... Did you sneak into bars and shit and play music? They're going to pay me, bitch. Fuck that, Jen. Get that hustle, girl. Fuck.

I don't need to sneak into a bar to drink. I need to sneak into a bar to work and get paid. So, yeah, let's talk about the hustle. Yes, I did like that a lot. Were you gigging like that? Like, you're just gigging at all these bars locally in Vermont to start? Yeah, but at about 16, yeah. Yeah, I just started going.

So what was the first musical moment that you felt like, oh, fuck, I could do this? I mean, I probably wasn't more than 13 or 14. I was like, well, this is what I'm doing. You're always confident. Well, yeah, and it was what I was always good at. You know what I mean? I'm one of the lucky ones where I knew so young what I wanted doing. You're always confident. Well, yeah. And I was, what I was always good at, you know what I mean? Like there was, I'm one of the lucky ones

where like I knew so young what I wanted to do that there was never any time to sort of dilly dally with other shit. So what was the dream at 13? Like what did you want to be as a musician?

I figured by the time I was like 18, I would have like a banging jazz quintet and be like playing fucking North Sea. You know what I mean? How long did it take?

Like, well, 38. 40 years, I guess. Oh, man. It's in the two-year plan. You doing North Sea yet? I have not yet, but I'm going to. Yeah. But we just like took a weird, you know, like jam band route.

Curveball. Curveball. Isn't it weird when that happens? Because you didn't expect to be in a jam scene. No.ball curveball isn't it weird how that happens because you didn't expect to be in the jam scene no no i didn't either no i was here we are had a very clear path of where i was headed and then trey called when i was a senior in high school and he was like what do you say uh i got your name from my friend dave i'm working on a record. Anyway, it was the most awkward, beautiful message ever. Is he weird? I mean.

Introvert? Aren't we all weird? I know, totally. But is he like introvert or? He's super smart. The kindest human that I've ever come into contact with. Like so thoughtful and, but just brilliant. And now that he's been 10 years sober it's so focused

it's like actually pretty scary how smart he is you know that's scary because he was always really smart because if he was brilliant

when he was all fucked up now that he's like sober everybody's like it's scary he's like laser focused like a robot holy shit so 18?

what 18? he called you at 18? yep 17 yeah so what were you doing were you doing some big shit was your name out there um i mean it's some big shit in a small state so everybody kind of knows who trey was at 18 yeah i think you can't it's unavoidable to to because he's like i didn't know fish so yeah i mean i didn't it wasn't anything that i was into i didn't have uh any of their music.

I never wrote a concert, you know. But it's certainly unavoidable living in Vermont. So I got that call right before our senior yearbooks came out. And so everyone who signed my senior yearbook was like, Oh my God, dude, good luck with Phish. Good luck with Trey. And you wanted to be this jazz kid. And I was like, all right, dude. Okay, I'm going to do one session with fish. What? Good luck with trash. And you wanted to be this jazz kid. And I was like,

all right, dude. Okay, I'm going to do one session with him. It'll probably go nowhere. And I did the session, and I thought, this is so not what I'm doing right now. This is way not the plan. And I thought,

okay, I came in, I did the song I needed to do, and he was like, cool, man, thanks. And I thought, okay, I came in, I did the song I needed to do. And he was like, cool, man, thanks. And I thought like, okay, I'll never see him again. And I was doing my own thing. Yeah, cut to maybe 18 months later. And he called me.

He's like, what are you doing? I was like, well, I just quit college 10 minutes ago. And it was just not for me. And I had made it through almost three semesters. Before you tell that story, talk about why it wasn't for you. Okay. Oh, God. And now I just named, talk about why it wasn't for you. Okay. Oh, God. And now I just named the school.

So I don't want to throw anybody under the bus. We'll bleep the school. I don't believe you, but it's cool. You don't have that kind of ability. Don't worry. Trick me with your technology. I know you don't have. Just kidding. So it was not for me because

the faculty seemed some of the faculty seemed like if they were on the road they were not present right so like they're on the road which is what they probably want to be doing which I totally understand and so they were either absent or when they were

around it seemed like a little bit of like we wish we were on the road you know were either absent or when they were around, it seemed like a little bit of like, we wish we were on the road, you know? And I had a moment where- Oh, so they're kind of resentful that they're teachers? It's like, I don't want to say that, but- I'll say it. If it didn't have a microphone in my hand, I would absolutely say it.

You know what I mean? That's your teacher trying to inspire you to be the future. Right, but they're bad, bad musicians, and that's what they should be doing. You know what I mean that's your teacher who's trying to like inspire you to be the future but they're bad bad musicians and that's what they should be doing you know what I mean if that's so anyway but there were lots of lots of reasons

and I was also they asked me to teach like a master's level ear training class at 19 at what year 19

yeah and I got instead of being like wow that was that's what a nice hopper I was just like I'm out of here and I literally

packed up my stuff the next day why do you think because they were out of teachers or that you're just that talented that's just something

that I grew up reading English and music you know so for you to basically what happened was on the first day of class

the teacher handed us a transcription of a Coltrane solo and he's like we're gonna sing through all this i was like cool sing the solo sing the solo which like easy no problem yeah you got it it's just like words to me and and you're a fucking and so like three bars later nobody in the class was singing besides you right and so i was genuinely not trying to be an asshole and i looked at the teacher and i was like do you you want me to keep going? And he goes, yeah.

Why don't you keep going? And so I read through the solo and finished. And the class erupted in applause. And he was like, see me after class. And then he's like, do you want to teach this class? And I said, no, sir. Go fuck yourself. I did not want to do that.

So I just left and literally packed up my car and was just driving back to Vermont. I was like, I'll figure it out. You think that was an excuse so he could tour? No, he didn't tour. No, he didn't. That guy didn't tour. He just. His ego is just deflated.

I don't know. His mental just fucking schooled him. I don't know. So I left school and Trey called me on my Nokia brick cell phone. Literally a week later? Ten minutes later. No way. Ten minutes later.

And he's like, what are you doing? I was like, I just quit school. He's like, I just started a band. You want to be in it? I was like, sure. He's like, can you come to my house right now? We're rehearsing. I was like, I'm like four hours away.

He's like, cool. We'll still be here when you get here. And I drove to his house. And then we were on tour two weeks later. And it's been 21 fucking years that we've been working together. Okay, okay. Now, backtrack this.

Holy shit. So, basically, 10 minutes later, so the universe, you answered the universe and said, no, fuck this. I'm quitting. I'm done.

10 minutes later, you get a gig. Yeah. It's not the gig you expected sure not the gig you wanted but it's a gig yeah so did you what did so what are the next steps did you like were you like kind of pissed or were you excited or what totally stoked i was totally stoked because i had no idea what i was gonna do have you ever toured before no i was 19 i'd never been on tour bus never nothing you know this is sick as fuck

and so he we went to his house there's a couple guys there writing horn parts to this new music you know that was brand

brand brand new and and they had booked a tour for like you know this was in January and they had booked a tour for February

which had sold out in 8 seconds because that's what happens but you know you've been gigging with him for 20 years isn't that wild yeah since I was 17 February, which had sold out in eight seconds because that's what happens. You've been gigging with him for 20 years. Isn't that wild? Yeah, since I was 17. Keep going with this.

You guys sell out. I did my first tour with them. It was totally crazy. Like I said, I grew up in a town of 400 people. This is not reality. Did you pay good? Yeah. I bought a fucking

car like it's like this is this is good shit um and had a total blast doing it and was with um lovely lovely gentlemen and and incredible musicians and i just like that was my first touring experience was all these guys like you know all these women are coming out being like, this guy did this to me, this guy did that. And I feel like somebody should stand up and be like, dude, like, there are amazing, decent, more than decent, wonderful men in the world. And they totally took me under their wing. And I never felt anything but the utmost respect. And they took care of me. And they were my uncles.

And they never let anybody, you know, I mean, like like that's what it's all about that's how someone and then and that i was thinking about it later i was like man all of those people that i lived on a tour bus with they're all dads and they all have daughters you know what i mean and i was some of that i was only a few years older than some of their daughters you know. So, anyway. Because how old are they? They, at that time, 40. Yeah. And you're 19? Yeah.

Yeah. Holy fuck. Yeah. So, what was, like, what was the crazy, like, that first tour, you know, everything is new to you. Do you have anything that stuck out to your head? Like, maybe they introduced you the first time. Like, oh, shit. This is really happening.

Or was it surreal i think the wildest like first moment after doing a couple tours was when someone dressed up as me for halloween i think this is really fucking weird she knows who she is if she's listening yeah she knows i know yeah i was like this is this is this is legit crazy. I feel like, is that just the Phish community? They just, everything Trey does, they just absorb? Yeah, they're very invested. I don't know much about the Phish community. Yeah, they're very loyal. Yes.

Whenever any band member does, they'll show up too? For the most part. I mean, they're also a very smart audience so if they don't love it they might not go back they don't go just to go I would say

oh okay so you have to produce something that doesn't sound like dog shit so what was the I don't know I didn't listen to the

early Trey solo stuff so what was the vibe he was going for he was singing were you singing we no like very little background stuff,

but we had a big ass horn section, we had a five piece horn section, and at one time, it was an 11 piece band with Ciro Batista on percussion, and full rhythm section, and a five piece horn section. And then,

And you're fucking 20. Yeah. Yeah, I know. But it's so funny how like, at the time, you have no idea how, like,

it's just, this is my life yeah and then you sort of look back as you get a little older and you're like god damn man thanks thanks you know and i've said thank you a lot more in the past 10 years than i ever did yeah you know you know it's kind of the same story is the girl from that band lake street dive oh yeah uh she wanted to be a jazz singer. Yeah. And she blew up firstly from fucking being in a rock band. Yeah. You know, it's like you never know where your path in life

is going to take you. No, even if you think you're pretty sure, it's totally not. That's the thing. Like, do you go with the punches or do you, like, stubbornly you just, I feel you have to just go with it, right? You just got to trust your gut. I mean, if it feels right, even though it's not the thing that you thought it was going to be, you got to do it. Yeah. You know? I mean, you don't get anywhere by just gotta trust your gut. If it feels right, even though it's not the thing that you thought it was gonna be, you gotta do it.

You don't get anywhere by just saying no to everything. Anything you've said no to that you regret? Good question. Not that it sticks out. It's like, oh wow, I really fucked up. I should've done that. Did you want to be like a Nora Jones?

No. Or like you wanted to be like an Ella or what did you want to be? I mean, I wanted to be a trumpet player. Oh, so you didn't want to be a singer? No, never. And you have this killer fucking voice? Well, then it sort of flip-flops. Alright, give it to me. Once I started singing. Were you singing more with Trey?

No, I mean, yeah, eventually. Because how many dates was he doing a year? I mean, at that time, we'd go out for maybe four months out of the year total. Okay. And then once I got to, you know, it's funny because I grew up doing a lot of theater, doing a lot of musical theater and stuff like that. What did you do? What plays? Oh, God, like all of them.

That's what my mom did. She was a director. She had this amazing children's theater program that gave 250 kids every summer something to do and made everybody feel really fucking important and she's the raddest of my god she's so cool um but i grew up sort of playing a role so i had this realization when i was like 24 25 that i have no idea what my own voice sounds like because i'm always playing a part. You're just playing a harmony. Yeah. I'm just like playing. You never was a lead or anything?

Yeah. But I'm always, it's always, it's always a role. You know what I mean? It's like a show. Yeah. So they're not hearing me. They're hearing what that character would sound like, you know? And so like, like maybe 24, 25, I was like, I really wonder what my own voice sounds like

and started singing more, you singing more in all realms. And then sort of fell into place. But I was, not that 25 is old by any means, but I was a little bit of a late bloomer with the singing. And then I started singing more, playing a little bit less. Which is probably, it's probably like that now. It's probably about 60, 40. What singing? I mean, you're singing

with an old boy from Anthopat what's his name again Nick Casarino he's sick as fuck I know I watched him do some solo things

on a Live for Live are you guys on a record label what's that record label he did a showcase on he was just singing yeah that's our agents oh cool

yeah that was tight yeah so you now you're singing 60% more than you're playing trumpet yeah I would say it's like 60-40 so I can't get away with not bringing my horn Yeah, my largest group. So now you're singing 60% more than you're playing trumpet? Yeah, I would say it's like 60-40.

I can't get away with not bringing my horn to something. People don't allow that. What the fuck? But you sing just as good as you play trumpet. So who told you, hey, let's go solo? Oh, I mean, I've always done it. It's just a thing that I do. Like writing songs and really taking it seriously. Because I feel like the last couple years, you've been focusing on it.

Yeah. Well, I've also been able to because this year, 2018 in particular, Trey didn't have any dates. We took the entire year off. So it really allowed me the time to tour with Nick, which is like one of the great joys of my life. We've known each other since he was 14. We grew up together.

He went to Vermont? He lived in Vermont? He's from Vermont, yeah. Why are all these fucking musicians out there? I know. It's kind of scary. It is halftime at the Andy Fresco interview hour. Welcome to another episode of Sliding Into Andy's DMs.

I'm your host, Ari Finling. As always, Andy left his phone unlocked in my presence, so this time I'm going to read some of his Twitter DMs. Looks like the first couple he sent one to he sent maybe 60 messages to Jeannie bus asking if he could be director of basketball operations for the Lakers, something that he is highly unqualified for. unqualified for. There's a message to Dr. Sanjay Gupta asking if a picture that he sent looks infected. And yes, it's the body part that you think it is. There's a couple messages to Kanye asking for a discount on Yeezys. Just buy them, you cheap fuck. Here's one. Andy got rejected from the app Cameo because they said, we have no idea who you are. There's a couple of threatening messages for people who criticize his album Change of Pace.

Those seem like pretty aggressive. And the last one, this one's my favorite. Really an unprecedented move. Pretty aggressive. And the last one, this one's my favorite. Really an unprecedented move. Andy messaged the IRS Twitter account asking if he, and I quote, didn't have to pay taxes this year. What a great, what a great try, Andy.

This has been another episode of Sliding Into Andy's DMs. I'm your host, Ari Finling. Come on, Andy. So tell me about this Tell me about this So did Was it Who told you like Go out and get it

Or did you just said Fuck it Trey's not playing for a year Yeah no I mean It's something that I always want to do Not that I've always wanted to do But I've always Left a little bit of time for it

And I've had like a full size band That's toured But when we made this record the record's just me, Nick and Christian McBride and that's it because I was getting so sick of like everything being so loud

yeah I produced it and you know I had a vision you know and I wanted to do something that was intimate and made people kind of stop and listen and I wanted to do something that was intimate and made people kind of stop and listen. And I think we totally achieved that. I'm really proud of it.

It's your first record? No, it's actually my fourth. Oh, my God. But it's like, how do you tour the record? Because Christian is booked until 2019. So no exaggeration. So it's like, okay okay what do we do and it's like man can we go out duo and we just had this like brain exploding moment of like yeah no of course we can we do whatever the fuck we want yeah so we did that and and it's just like it's such a joy because

we have known each other for so long we don't have to speak we share a brain he he calls me his musical soulmate like that's what we are to each other we are family um our family's our family yeah and so for us to be able to go out and it's just us and there's no drama so easy and it's just like our load in takes four minutes like a minivan or something we don't even have to we can we can roll in a fucking smart car. Smart guy. I feel like you're cheating the system. We are. We've also put in the work so we know what we're cheating. And so we don't take it for granted.

That's a good point. This is the greatest day ever. So do you open for a lot of bands? If you're going to open for a band, can you open for a heavy funk band with the acoustic thing? Or does it have to be like, I have to fit the show? I would prefer that it fit the show. I think just as far as the kind of people who might be coming to see that show.

Our whole year was sort of doing headlining shows at seated venues. That was how the whole year was. So like city wineries and stuff like that, which is like, I love it so much because it's not stuffy. It's an intimate thing that gives us a chance to know you, you a chance to know us, you know,

and like we think we're fucking funny and charming and, and, and, you know, we just sit there and make each other laugh all night and make everybody feel comfortable and you know we just sit there and make each other laugh all night and make everybody feel comfortable and and then hopefully give them a musical performance that

they leave saying that was fucking great um so that's been really nice though you know to be able to play rooms like that um where people are paying attention instead of spilling beer all over each other yeah did you ever get into like any drugs no nothing no no that's oh god yeah i think this focus laser yeah since 18 yeah well i mean the because you know i was also with a bus full of not full of people but there was plenty of partying going on was this when trey was sober yet or what oh shit i've seen it all baby yeah what'd you see yeah i can't i well not like, not like that. Not like that, but like, I'm talking about just like, just the people surrounding. Yeah.

Like, I just had, I just had Steve Kimmock on the show and he was telling me about the dead. It's like, it's just the people, the circle surrounding the band who are just like, these like leachy. Yeah.

And total enablers and all that kind of stuff. Which you can't, it's, yes, that's around, you can't really blame that that's around you can't really blame that on anybody on the band you can't the person but um but yeah i mean there was everything around yeah um and i think because i was so young and and a late bloomer with a lot of things that i was so sure of who i was and what i wanted by the time i set foot on the tour bus that i was

like oh cool yeah no i'm good like and and they wouldn't have even offered it to me you know what of who I was and what I wanted by the time I set foot on the tour bus that I was like, oh, cool. Yeah, no, I'm good. And they wouldn't have even offered it to me. You know what I mean? Because I was too young. You're still cloud nine that you're actually in a tour bus and live in it or what?

Yeah, yeah. But it was at the same time, you don't realize what's even happening at the time that it's any different than anybody else because this is just what i'm doing right now anyway now you have this awesome dude he would north mississippi yeah he's the bass player or was the bass player like how'd you meet him man i met him we've been friends forever i mean i met him at the first bonnaroo was the first time i ever saw him so what what did you

did you knew did you love him then or what i i mean, I saw him and I was like, who's that guy? I was kind of like, that guy's rad, you know? And there's other people on stage. He's so smooth, dude. Well, again, he's a giant. He's tall. He's a very sweet giant. But, you know, he's like a quintessential southern gentleman and and uh just it's like a he he picked up what the things that

i never even knew that i was missing you know what i mean what were you what was like just sort of he's so stable and it's like he's always able to be there you know and and that's sort of what our relationship is about is like being there for each other through everything do you think that's what you were missing in your life through your other relationship yeah i think when you're with somebody who isn't stable they can't as much as their heart wants to be there for you they they physically can't they can't they can't they're they're they're doing something else they're filling that spot with substance. Drugs or whatever.

So you meet, did he start playing bass with you? No, we always play together. This is a love relationship. Yeah, yeah. This is like we stay out of each other's business. And I think that's... Is that important? Yeah, totally.

Yeah? Because, I don't know. I've seen so many people whose wives and girlfriends want to be right there, like, on your dick. And I don't get that. Because they don't trust them? No. Or are they just insecure? Yeah, I think it's for a plethora of reasons.

Or they just want to be in it because they think it's fun. They don't think it's work you know and like when you're working and they're like yeah but this friend of mine the other day who was going on like a work occasion trip with her guy oh god and she was like yeah he's like just works all day and i'm just like can't we just go out and do something like you're on work dude i know like you're in a tropical place but like this is like this is work time. Like we're doing work, even though it's lovely outside. And like today we woke up and feel like we've been. But we have fucking 10 priorities today.

Right. You're like, what do you got going on today? And I named you nine things before 10 p.m. You know, that's just what it is. I think that's the only thing bad about bringing like a significant other like me I'll just bring a girl right

and I realize that I'm ghosting her for like five days and then it's over I don't talk to her for a year you know

because it's like this guy fucking sucks you know but like they don't understand also yeah it takes a certain

kind of person to deal with what we do for a living it takes someone who's gonna trust the fuck out of you. You know? And who has to be incredibly secure in who they are and what they have going on. Yeah.

And so, you know, he's got his shit. I've got my shit. He's probably seen Nick and me play of the hundred and whatever shows we probably did this year. He's probably seen it twice. Yeah, we hit it pretty hard. Just duo? Yeah. I don't know.

Fucking girl, dude. You got to try it. It's great. Yeah, I got to try it, dude. I don't know the balls to do it yet. But yeah. How many times have you seen her? Seen him?

I don't know. I mean, we fly out and see each other. It's just like, it's a relationship that's completely unique to us and our situation and who we are and how we are um and and it's not for everybody and and a lot of my friends who aren't musicians are just like how do you even it's like it's none of your business it's really not dude like are we the happiest couple you know they're like yeah i was like cool that it's we're good it's working you know what i mean bobby like you can figure out whatever works for you.

Do you think people are just playing copycat? They just think it just works? If someone else's ideas of how a relationship works, do they just have to try to copy that? Yeah, or they just plain don't look at their own situation and say,

what is our downfalls and how do we make them better? just plain don't look at their own situation and say, what's, what is our, you know, where are downfalls and, and how do we make them better? You know, like she and I talk all the fucking time, you know, even when you're off.

So, Oh God. Yeah. Doc all the time, tax and call. Yeah. Like all day, every day.

Communication's important. Yeah. Just letting people know exactly how you feel. Yeah. And like the invention of FaceTime for touring musicians is the greatest. Like you, you, you feel like you were almost there. Yeah, exactly. the invention of FaceTime for touring musicians is the greatest. Like you feel like

you were almost there. Yeah, exactly. It's infinitely better than, you know, getting a text or hearing their voice on the phone or whatever. How long have you been with them now?

Five years. Holy fuck, Jen. So when did you move to Nashville? Was he living in Nashville? No, we moved there together. Why did you want to move to Nashville? I feel like I earned to live somewhere warm.

Because after Vermont, I went to Chicago and New York and all that stuff. And I just, you know, I started going down to visit him. He was right outside of Memphis. And I definitely didn't want to live in Memphis. That wasn't my vibe. But his whole family's down there. And where could we be that was close? And we honestly thought that there was enough going on in Nashville where eventually when

we get old and would like to stop being on the road so much that we could play in our own city and sleep in our own bed, which is kind of the goal at some point. And that there was enough stuff going on that we could probably do that there. Do you like Nashville? I do like Nashville. What do you like nashville they do like what do you like about it i like that it's a little slower paced than most cities but it's not like podunk pace um there's a lot of um there's a lot of great music that happens um i've had a cool education in country music which has never been a part of

who i am just like being around it and going to see stuff and getting out to see people you've never heard of that nobody's ever heard of. But there's so many musicians in that town and it doesn't feel cutthroat. It's supportive. Really? Yeah. People just kind of support each other and they're nice.

They're nice people. There's a lot of amazing chefs down there who are just sick of the New York rat race and moved down. Is it cheaper to live in Nashville or is it like kind of the same price as Chicago's and then New York's? It's definitely cheaper.

Really? It's definitely cheaper. And there's 100 people a day who are moving there apparently. So it's driven costs up for sure. And there's like massive condos going up everywhere. But the price of everything is sort of, if you've lived in New York or Chicago, it's like massive condos going up everywhere um but the price of everything is sort of if you've lived in new york or chicago it's like it's it's criminal like how low it is

like what you can get for a house for 250 000 is like you know yeah amazing it's some mansion you know let's go back to the country what'd you learn from the country scene being in this jam scene for so long and seeing how the jam scene works and now this songwriter movement. Tell the audience about that. I think that this jam scene

is less concerned about the actual song and more concerned about what happens in between the last chorus and the last downbeat you know it's like they want to hear the shredding guitar solos they want to hear horn solos they want to hear you know and and it's not really about the song itself yeah um and i've never been great at writing songs so people who do that for a living that's fascinating to me that you just write songs

that you don't even sing. You give to other people. That's how you make your money. Have you been in those office buildings? Like those BMIs, those ASCAPs? These guys get these porn star office buildings. And there's one keyboard and one guitar. And they're just circling them out.

Yeah. I think it's amazing. I think it's amazing too. Like, those guys pound out songs every single day. Yep.

And like, you know, I grew up in LA where everyone's trying to write pop songs. These guys are trying to write, you know,

country songs but they have like, the lyrics aren't like my lollipop, my, you know, my titties. Right. Like,

these guys are actually trying to write a story. Right. exactly. What's the dream? What's the dream situation for Jen? Well, my dream is still the same as it was when I was 13. What is that? I still want to go

to all those festivals and tour the world and tour Europe and do all those things. I mean, the goal is to do it in front of people who get it and people who are moved by it. I mean, like at the end of the day, my job is to bring people joy.

And what an unbelievable opportunity that is, you know? Like the fact that everybody else just goes to work and whether they like their job or not, like they're not making people happy for the most part. like i get i have the privilege of going on stage and that people would spend their money to come see me yeah it's like i mean that's like that's not something to take lightly like people don't have like a shitload of money you know and if they want to come spend 15 or 20 bucks to come spend an evening with us. So, I mean, I think as far as, I love playing with Nick. I think we'll do that as long as we possibly can,

which I think we've been doing that for 19 years so far. That's fucking crazy, girl. Why stop? Would it work? Like, would Trey let you guys open? Or would Nth Power let you open? It just doesn't make sense. It's not even...

Yeah, it's about finding a new audience, I think. You know, an audience who gets what we do. Yeah, it's so true. Yeah. You got any visions on what the next record's going to be? I don't. Yeah, you been writing for it? No.

Good. I'm totally enjoying this process. I fucking love it. I'm not supposed to say that, but that's totally how it is. God damn it. It's so fucking fast-paced. Well, okay. You know what I to say that, but that's totally how it is. God damn it. It's so fucking fast-paced. Give me a lesson on how not to be so fast-paced

and always thinking about the next step. How do we just stay in the moment? How do you stay in the moment? You can think about the next step, but don't forget about the shit that's happening right now and how important that is. Because I think the Instagram generation, you want now and how important that is because i think you know like the instagram generation like you want now and then you're fucking over it and i and i don't

think as human beings that's how that's how we're set up i think that's how we're conditioned right now um but i think people still long for falling in love with a record maybe not liking it the first time and then listening to it like three or four and be like oh you know what that okay and then it becomes like a you know your favorite record to play for friends or like when you have a dinner party and it's eight months later you know and already you're supposed to have a new fucking record out yeah and like like let things breathe man like let them have a a lifespan and you know because like we're in it for the long haul you know like i'm not trying to be know, the next big fucking 15 minutes of anything. I have.

Long and steady. Yeah. I mean, I've worked hard at like having a career for as long as I have. Yeah. And I mean, there's a lot more to do, but I, I'm always thinking about other things, but I think it's important to to to enjoy where you are right now and say you know there's there's a huge difference in saying i'm doing the best i can and i'm doing a great fucking job yeah and i think so many of us like we all have insecurities about like oh my

god will people like it will be and it like really kind of wears on you and if you stop for five seconds and be like, you know what? I'm doing a great fucking job. Yeah. Just take a breath and look at yourself for once. And like appreciate where you are, who you are. We're afraid to appreciate ourselves. Yeah. It makes us seem selfish or some shit.

It doesn't even have to be around people. But like be like, you know what? I'm a badass. My life's amazing. My friends are amazing. My family's amazing. I have everything I need. And life's amazing. My friends are amazing. My family's amazing. I have everything I need. And that's it, you know?

And I'll make a new record when I feel like it. Yes. You are a badass bitch, Jen. What the fuck? I have a vagina. Fuck, yes. Honestly. God damn it.

Oh. Jen, I want to hear a couple more things. If you could pick Your ultimate dream band Dead or alive Who would be on each instrument? Oh Um It would be

Stevie Wonder On the keys Yeah And vocals Um Yeah he could sing I got I'd allow him to sing

Cool Wow Um Who's on the bass? You don't You could put your husband in there But if it wasn't your husband, who would it be? It would be Christian

Yeah? Yep, it'd be Christian McBride Stevie Wonder Drums? Man, it's like so funny Because so many of the people that I play with now I know it sounds ridiculous But like, you know, it would be Nikki Glaspi

You know what I mean? Who's better than Nikki Glaspi? Give me a little note on Nikki. What's her deal? She is the baddest of all of the bitches as far as I'm concerned. I got to get on the show. Yes, you do. She's incredibly smart and incredibly confident.

Where's she from? She's been in New York a long time. She's the only person that I've ever walked up to as a stranger and been like, we need to be friends. And I was probably 18 and I saw her play with Sam Kininger at Higher Ground. And I just walked up and I was like, I don't know who the fuck you are, but I feel like we need to know each other. She's like, cool, you smoke weed? I'm like, no. She's like, you know where I can get some weed?

I'm like, yeah. I got to get some weed. There you go. And then we've been friends ever since. Oh, I love it. To me, she's like the absolute ultimate bad bitch who doesn't give a fuck that she's female. And that's sort of, you know, so many people. Do people give a fuck that they're females? No, people give a fuck that other people are. And that's sort of, you know, so many people. Do people give a fuck that they're females?

No, people give a fuck that, that other people are females. Why? Because. Explain that. I would love to. So,

like I said, growing up the way I grew up with a bunch of, you know, women brass players. So it wasn't odd to me to do what I do. But I think, you know, it's a,

it's a very male dominated field. And, but people aren't really looking. It's like, if you look past it's a very male-dominated field. But people aren't really looking. It's like if you look past what's being fed to you, you realize there's a bunch of ladies who are crushing. Oh, yeah. And I think that people are just sort of like setting their ways and think like, oh, this is a novelty.

And like I've been asked so many times to like be in an all-girl band or front an all-girl band. And I'm like you know i don't think you understand and there's no i will say there's no wrong way to feel empowered if that's how you feel empowered you go do that you should tell them to suck your dick well i have i'll tell them okay you tell them so friasco's here to tell you i'm your body girl um but you know it's like i'm not a novelty you know what i mean nicky's not a novelty statistic yeah it But, you know, it's like, I'm not a novelty. You know what I mean? Nikki's not a novelty.

Statistic. Yeah. It's like, you know, we work our asses off just like everybody else. And I don't want to be singled out for anything. Do you see a lot in the industry side of people? The industry is trying to shape these, like, all-girl situations. I mean, industry is shaping, you know, 18-year-olds, 40-pound girls. What about Nashville? You see that too?

Yeah. Yeah, totally. I mean, if you think of like, close your eyes and like female Nashville singer-songwriter, you picture 120-pound, 5'8", long blonde hair, sweet as pie, and who might be able to write a song or two. So bullshit. You know what I mean? That's what you picture.

But it's bullshit that I know that. You know what I mean? It's bullshit that it is such a stereotype that that's the first thing that comes to everybody's mind. But every woman who's out here working is dealing and hustling just like everybody else. I feel like they're working harder. It's true. Because, like, you guys have to, like,

fucking skim through the fat and deal with all these fucking... Yeah. It gets... What's that word? Yeah, misogynistic. Misogynistic fucking assholes. Yeah.

But I think it gets easier as you get older because you know your worth and your radar detector, your bullshit detector is, like like on 11 at all times. And so I also think that when you are emitting the vibe of who you are, you attract those kinds of people.

And I think Nicky and I both do that where we play with men who never one time were like, oh, she's a girl. You know what I mean? It's like it never crosses either one of our minds.

What about when you were younger? Did you have to deal with any of that bullshit? No. Good. No. You got lucky. I totally lucked out. You got with a good crew.

Yeah. Like think about if you lived in LA. Yeah. Or like, I don't know if it's as bad in the city, but LA is so fucking bad. No, I despise like setting foot in that city. And I'm sure there's lovely things that go on there. Yeah. Good weather.

But the industry is fucking bad. I think you just got to know what you want and go do it. And people are always going to tell you no because it's the easiest thing to do. If you're a little bit different, people are going to tell you no because they don't know how to sell it. They don't know how to package it.

They're taking a risk on you. And that's not what people want. It's the Spotify generation. They want Ariana Grande. It's just like a zillion streams in the first hour that it comes out that's what they want because it's a short sell so anytime that anybody comes in that's a little different a little more creative you know or has a personality what's up do you think that's killing the music industry this one i think that's part of it yeah totally but you think what happened is it kind of like how the disco

uh generation was where it's like singles, singles, singles and no one's making records? I don't think that. Do you think records will come back? Maybe. I don't think it's the singles that's the problem because I think that's very like of the generation, but I don't find that like insulting.

I think if people want to put out a song, put out a song. You know, if you can't write a whole record worth of shit or if you, for whatever reason, if you if people want to put out a song, put out a song. If you can't write a whole record worth of shit, or for whatever reason, if you don't want to, if you don't want to wait that much time to make a whole record, I don't think that's not an issue for me. I don't

see fault in that, but I do think that there are people that are ready to share their gifts who are being overlooked because they're a little bit different and nobody has the money

to take a chance on something that's not a short sale. Yeah, and they don't have the money to take a chance on themselves or something. It's fucked up. It's like a big rat race. Alright, so Nikki's your drummer.

Who's our guitar player? Hear that, Nikki? I love that though That's what this podcast needs Seriously I think we just have We just, you know, make it the Nth Power with Stevie Wonder And I think that's pretty much it Oh yeah, dude

So tell me Why do you praise Nth Power so much I don't I've never heard them So I'm gonna I think they're playing tonight right I think you missed them

It was last night Oh fuck Fuck I saw Nikki She came to our show And I was like She scares the shit out of me Yeah

That's what she does Because she's so powerful And like I've always like Been scared to talk to her. And then she finally came up to me. I'm like, hi, Nicki. But it's crazy. That whole band, everybody.

That's like the musician's band. You have Nth Power and you have Snarky Puppy. It's because they're musicians' musicians. Because, you know, I i think people they write songs that people can sing along to yeah but that smart people really really understand and i think it's cool to have a smart fan base you know and snarky does that too where um you know everybody's singing every single line it was sort of like it was more than a cult because they've had longevity but um i think it's also

exciting as a musician to exactly what we were just talking about to see somebody doing something different yeah you know

I mean those guys are playing like chords that only Nick knows you know I was like what is that Nick and I did a duo show a couple months ago at Rockwood

and I saw videos of that yeah how'd it go? It was great. Yeah. And so Christian popped down for a little bit, and Trey popped down for a little bit. Oh, nice.

And he hasn't seen the duo, and he hasn't seen me do anything outside of his thing. All right, Trey lives in the city. Yeah. It's like real hard for him to come out. You know what I mean? Yeah, especially. Like the places that we're playing, he can't come. No.

And so the way that that all came to be is that he um he heard that i was in new york the last time i was playing there and he was like man i want to come see you guys and i just sort of laughed at him i was like man you can't come to these venues bro like you can't i love you thank you but like you know you can't kind of go yes i can i was like oh all right so the next time I was like, I'm just going to put your money where your mouth is. I was like, hey, man. We're playing. We're playing Rockwood.

He doesn't know what it looks like in there. He doesn't know how small it is. Y'all be backstage. Right. There's no backstage. And so he said, we're playing Rockwood. If you want to come down, I think Christian's going to come play a couple of tunes. If you want to come play a tune or two.

And he was like, oh, my my god thank you so much so nobody invites no one invites him no no one invites him because he can't to him no because you can't put him like he can't come out because he's too famous to enjoy himself um that's the only reason right right so anyway he came and he we locked him up in the balcony. And afterwards, he hung out for a little while. And he's known. He sat in, too. He sat in. He played a couple tunes.

Yep. Do you have to pull his leg or he's always in? What's that? Do you have to pull his leg to get up on stage? Or he's like, he's ready. Oh, he knew he was coming to play. All right. He brought gear at a time and was totally ready and studied all the songs.

It was so funny and then afterwards he hung out for a little bit and and he he goes man i'm like scared of nick's guitar playing he's getting good he's he's like those chords i don't know what those chords are i was like dude i know That's like the ultimate. Did you tell Nick this? I did tell him. I told him. Did you like shit himself? Weeks later.

Yeah, because they met when he was 16. He did a little thing up at Trey's Bar and they met. But they, you know, they haven't seen each other in a really long time. Oh my God. So he was totally freaking out. And then he called back to talk about it more when Nick was at my house. We were doing some rehearsals and I just put it on speaker because it was really cool for Nick to hear. So he's supportive, Trey.

Oh, my God. He loves you. You're like his baby. He's like you're like his daughter. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, that's God. We've been through a lot of stuff together.

It's amazing. It's it's his friendship is unbelievably important to me. You know, I'm so proud. Yeah. Yeah. He basically helped your career. No question. And no question.

Wow. Yeah. That's unbelievable. Yeah. Thanks, Jen, for being on the show. And what a fucking life. I this is I we've only hit the fucking ice.

We're going to have to do this again. All right. And now, a public service announcement by Todd Glass. Hi, I'm Todd Glass, and I know, why should you trust what I'm about to say? Go look at my 2019 Netflix special, Act Happy. And then if you think I'm funny and my word means something to you, then you'll listen to what I'm about to say. Look, I'm going to yell, but not from a bad place.

But I have to, you know, scratch things up a little. Why the fuck haven't you been to an Andy Frasco show? I know. You're like, oh, I love him. He's great. Nice. I get it. I get it.

I'm motivating you not from a place of anger, but a place of this is what it takes. Trust me. I've said it before. I'll say it again. He's not going to disappoint you. I get it. It takes organization. It takes everything sometimes costs a little more than you think.

You got to park. And then you get there. And if the person on stage is good, good, good, good sucks. He's not going to be good. Good isn't worth all that. Good's good. It's going to fucking after two minutes, two minutes of him being on stage, you're going to go shut the fuck up. It's going to be something that you get to talk about.

And you should have something to talk about other than when you were in high school, when you had that type of fun that just stirs up your insides. If you go to a show, guess what? You're going to be able to stay the next day. Hey, when's the last time you had fun like you were in high school? Last night when I went to see Andy Frasco in the UN. And you know what? I'm not shitting around. I'm over the top on what I'm saying. But seriously, go do it. You will be fucking happy. You have nothing else to live for. I just shit in my pants. All right. And there you have it. Thanks, Jen, for being on the show. My soul sister. Thank you, Todd Glass, for being on the show My soul sister Thank you Todd Glass

For being on the show My soul brother It was a great show today I learned a lot Subscribe to the podcast Rate it That's how we stay in the You know the top 100

If you comment and rate So make sure you Show us some love. That'd be awesome. Keep this thing going. That's all I got for you today. Tour's been fucking awesome. West Coast has been kicking ass.

Did a really fancy wedding. Did some West Coast dates. Thanks for tuning in. Thanks for being patient with me. Make sure you always... I'll leave you this, maybe whatever you're feeling, even if it's towards someone, don't be passive. Let people know how you feel. Don't fake it just to not stir the pot. don't be an asshole about it. But if you have something to say, don't suppress your feelings because that's the worst thing because that shit becomes poison. You know, especially like if you're surrounding yourself with people that you're afraid to talk to about things, then don't be around them. Life's too short to have to hang out like we're in high school again. You know,

fuck it. If you don't like who you're hanging out with, you could always hang out with different people. Life's too short. So take care of yourselves. Be expressive. Be an open vessel. And I promise you, life will come easier. I love you guys. Be safe out there. Subscribe to the podcast. Comb your hair. Wear a condom. And don't forget, life is short, so let's just be open with each other.

Love you. Bye. Well, thank you for listening to episode 42 of Andy Fresco's World Saving Podcast, produced by Andy Fresco, Joe Angelow, and Chris Lawrence. Please subscribe and rate the show on iTunes and Spotify so we can make this a worldwide phenomenon. For info on the show,

please head to our Instagram at worldsavingpodcast. For more info on the blog and tour dates, head to andyfresco.com. Did we mention our new album, Change of Pace pace have you not listened to it go check it out please for more information on our guest jennifer hartswick please head to jenniferhartswick.com that's h-a-r-t-s-w-i-c-k hartswick special co-host for this week is comedian Todd Glass. You can find him on

toddglass.com This week's special guest star are refinedlings. Make sure you find him on Twitter at theycallmeari which is A-H-R-I theycallmeari Brian Swartz, Arno Bakker

and Travis Gray. I just flew in to LA from Amsterdam with a layover in San Francisco. One of my old mentors leading a second line band back home used to say the only stressful moment in the tour is getting everyone together. And so it is. Delays, immigration, missing luggage, traffic jams and band members missing their planes. It's stressful to the heart. I kept that in mind and tried to keep my zen. The other thing my mentor said was,

wanna be a musician? Live cheap. So be safe, keep your heart rate and your rent low and we'll see you next week.