Mike Gordon of Phish to play Union Transfer in April; listen to a new song, “Ether”

Phish bassist Mike Gordon announced the release date for his fourth solo album, Overstep, and a spring tour that includes a stop at Union Transfer. With it came the album’s first single, “Ether,” a loose and cerebral piece that starts sort of dark, with icy guitar picking, but builds. As the rest of the band comes in, the slow-stepping tune murmurs around thumping bass before getting a little brighter at the chorus. It continues through many movements, stopping and starting throughout the six minute song that explores a range of dynamics.

“Ether” shows a slightly more serious side of Gordon, but still manages to keep his tongue-in-cheek charm around the 5:20 mark when he squeals, “Little boy won’t you come back home,” in the voice of what’s supposed to be his mother. According to Gordon’s website, Overstep is the first time he’s given someone else full producer role to work on the album with him, rather than Gordon producing the album himself. And it shows on “Ether” that producer, Paul Q. Kolderie (Radiohead, Pixies), has had some influence on Overstep. This song’s much more structured and thought-out than some of Gordon’s prior work  – such as what’s found on 2008’s The Green Sparrow. It’ll be the first solo album he’s released since 2010’s Moss. For more Mike Gordon humor, check out his 2014 tour announcement video below.