Helping Friendly Podcast (HFPod)
Episode: Mt. Rushmore: Sigma Oasis (plus Phish.net Jam Charts discussion!)
Date: August 19, 2025
Hosts: RJ, Brian, Megan
Guests: Charlie Dirksen and Andrew Staveley (Phish.net Jam Charts)
Overview
In this engaging episode, the HFPod team undertakes a deep dive into Phish’s “Sigma Oasis,” building a definitive “Mt. Rushmore” of live versions from the 4.0 era. They debate the highlights and evolution of this song as a jam vehicle, offer personal anecdotes, and share statistical overviews. The episode then pivots to a fascinating interview with Charlie Dirksen and Andrew Staveley, architects of the legendary Phish.net Jam Charts, for a candid look at their “jam charting” process, history, and influence. The tone is warm, nerdy, and affectionately irreverent, as always.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
The “Sigma Oasis” Mt. Rushmore Project
Purpose:
- Pick the top four (“Mt. Rushmore”) live versions of "Sigma Oasis" since its debut.
- Examine the song’s journey from pandemic anthem to jam workhorse.
- Talk about personal and community experiences with the song.
Segment Begins: ~[05:24]
Song Discussion: “Sigma Oasis”
The Song’s Significance
- Brian:
- “I think this is one of their best recent songs…one of the strongest songs that they have written. … It’s playful lyrically, it’s sunny, but also has some kind of dark undertones.” ([08:22])
- “It strangely worked thematically, really well as, like, an anthem during COVID…” ([08:44])
- Megan:
- “I have a deep affinity for poetry, and I have a special place in my heart for Phish songs that are really poetic, and I think this is one of them…It’s such an uplifting song.” ([09:53])
- “The song really represents the best of love and light dad rock Trey, because it’s mixed with a pop sensibility. … It gives you goosebumps.” ([10:24])
- Historical Recap (Megan):
- Written by Trey, Tom, and Scott Herman.
- Debuted at Trey solo acoustic (12/15/2018, Boulder) in a different arrangement.
- Phish debut: 12/18/2019, Charleston; underwent changes in structure.
- Became a pandemic touchstone: April 2020 album release.
- Consistent presence in 4.0; 45 live performances as of this episode; often opens or closes sets; emerging jam vehicle. 9 versions have made the Jam Charts. ([11:30–13:43])
Pattern Recognition: The “Sigma Oasis” Jam Style
- Most jams start optimistic and uplifting, then diverge into effects-laden space, darkness, or funk before returning for a big peak.
- Brian: “In a couple years, if they start to break further away from it, like, we almost saw this with Fuego…will be curious to see where Sigma Oasis goes.” ([15:35])
The “Mt. Rushmore” – The Top 4 Jams
1. 7/24/2022 – Hartford, CT
Segment: [16:33–19:48]
- Late set one, ~18 mins.
- Megan: “Soaring notes that send us off into the classic Sigma jam…then, by seven minutes, the funk beat is so tight. … Super effect-heavy space funk, so dancy, so fun.”
- Brian: “Reminds me a lot of the 12/30/19 ‘Blaze On’—it just like previews where the band would go. I had this going back and forth as one of my top four.”
- RJ: “There’s like a sound effect from Page, like halfway through, that sounds like scratching on sandpaper. … Really cool.”
2. 8/5/2022 – Atlantic City, NJ
Segment: [20:28–23:53]
- First Sigma Oasis to break 20+ minutes, late in set one.
- Megan: “Really establishes the classic melodic Sigma jam…builds to beautiful soaring peaks. … Fishman…pumps the tempo so hard and the jam completely takes off.”
- Brian: “This is on my list, unquestionably. … At 14 min, a right turn you weren’t expecting…blows the mind.”
- RJ: “The breakdown…there’s so much funk in this version. … The kind of tempo change is pretty crazy.”
3. 8/29/2024 – Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, CO
Segment: [25:24–29:01]
- 19 min, mid second set, notably different style.
- Megan: “So rhythmic and effect-heavy…Fish is hitting with such sharpness…shows diversity in Sigma Oasis jamming.”
- Brian: “Where the others feel like classic rock, this is like Phish channeling TV on the Radio—grimy, indie rock club undertones…this changes the trajectory of the run.”
4. 4/20/2025 – Portland, OR
Segment: [30:43–34:42]
- Over 20 min, first set, charged jam, big peaks.
- Megan: “Dramatic and urgent…emotional bliss peaks with some of that 2025 goodness from Trey. Crowd cheering peak…perfect drop back to chorus.”
- Brian: “Cordal Trey, active Mike, big peak…feels like a stronger band playing a jam in the style of 8/5/22…fully-formed riffs we wouldn’t have heard prior.”
[Timestamps for all four are embedded in the main segments above; see also [36:52] for recap/list.]
Honorable Mentions & Fan Vote
- Noted: 5/28/2022 (Alabama), Dick’s 2021, 2023 Star Lake.
- Fan Vote: 9/5/21, 8/5/22, 8/29/24, 4/20/25 ([41:40])
Notable Quotes/Moments
- “This is the joy of podcasting. You get ahead of the…” – Brian ([09:43])
- “I think this is one of the ones where I wanted to listen to the song part every time because it just makes me happy.” – Megan ([10:38])
- “The funk is what brought me into Phish. Don’t come at me with that question.” – Brian ([04:19])
- “I swear, I literally have one Phish regret, and it’s not going to Big Cypress. … That’s it. Everything else, like…” – RJ ([24:53])
- “Each of you gets to recommend the number one Phish jam you’ve ever heard.” – Brian ([84:24])
- Andrew: “Austin Golden Age” (of the year), “Radio City Ghost” (ever) ([84:46])
- Charlie: “I just don’t know how people can do that … If improvisation hits this kind of melodic field … I can’t say one is above another.” ([84:52–87:30])
Special Segment: Phish.net Jam Charts Discussion with Charlie Dirksen & Andrew Staveley
Segment Begins: [46:34]
Jam Charts – History & Evolution
- Early jam charts began as personal reviews by Charlie in 1994.
- Evolved with more contributors (notably Tim Wade, Benji Eisen) into the first Fish Companions.
- Original charts were not exhaustive—just what compilers had heard or could gather from circulating tapes.
- Google Docs integration led to more systematic/accessible charting; now, a dedicated team reviews every show.
Process Today
- Current team: 6+ volunteers listen to all shows, each song.
- Every version is up for democratic voting: “Y” (yes), “N” (no), “M” (maybe).
- Jam gets charted if 4 of 6 vote “Y.”
- Descriptions are written by team members; tone may vary by person but inspiration comes from the music itself.
- If you think something is missing/described poorly—send them suggestions or descriptions! Community input welcomed. ([68:17])
Criteria for Charting
- For jamming vehicles (Tweezer, Ghost, Disease): very high bar for charting.
- For non-jammer songs (e.g., Mound): only truly unique or extended versions chart.
- Notable example: Super Ball IX Mound charted because it’s “objectively different than any other version.” ([57:26])
- The bar has risen in 4.0: more 20+ min jams, many more contenders per song.
- They will audit old jam charts for unnecessary inclusions or overlooked jams as time allows.
Notable Quotes
- “The charts are never set in stone. There are tweaks and changes. … The bar being raised is one of the biggest things the team is reckoning with in 4.0.” – Andrew ([76:30])
- “I’ve had to just copy and paste ‘N’ through every song in some shows. Water in the desert, so we were excited.” – Charlie, on 2009-13 ([79:37])
- On democracy: “If something doesn’t chart and you think it should, let us know why, in detail.” – Charlie ([70:24])
Memorable Moment
- Charlie invites Brian to join the Jam Charts team on air:
- “We would actually like to invite you to be a team member, just so you can see the process yourself and actually just wow.” ([62:21])
- Brian: “Live on air promotion. My goodness. If you’re interested, I would love this.” ([63:05])
Community & Legacy
- Phish.net Jam Charts serve both as living archive and fan aid; vital for podcast research, drafts, community discussion.
- Descriptions can be submitted/edited by fans (with credit).
- Emphasis: The Jam Charts are NOT “gospel”—subjective, crowd-sourced, and constantly evolving.
Notable Quotes – Closing Segment
- “It’s the band’s fault. We couldn’t have these expectations if they didn’t do this. So it’s their fault.” – Megan, on the high 4.0 bar ([78:26])
- “I just don’t see how you can put anything over it from any era. … Once improvisation hits this kind of melodic field, it’s phantasmagoric.” – Charlie, on ranking jams ([85:44])
- “Everyone on this call loves this band, thinks this band is incredibly important…The hard work of documenting this band is happening right here.” – Brian ([88:45])
Podcast Flow & Tone
- The hosts’ dynamic is playful, irreverent, sometimes self-deprecating (“The Megan Friendly Podcast with Brian and RJ”), and deeply informed.
- There’s good-natured teasing about setlists, missed shows, and podcast logistics.
- The guests bring humility, passion, and a sense of fannish duty to their work.
Useful Timestamps (MM:SS)
- [05:24] – Sigma Oasis Mt. Rushmore intro & song significance
- [11:30] – Song history recap (Megan)
- [16:33] – Hartford 7/24/22 version analysis
- [20:28] – Atlantic City 8/5/22 version analysis
- [25:24] – Dick’s 8/29/24 version analysis
- [30:43] – Portland 4/20/25 version analysis
- [41:40] – Fan vote results
- [46:34] – Interview with Charlie & Andrew (Jam Charts)
- [57:26] – Charting/criteria discussion
- [62:21] – Brian invited to join Jam Charts team
- [68:17] – On jam chart description and community submissions
- [76:30] – The high 4.0 bar and historical reevaluation
- [79:37] – The challenge of jam charting during low-jam eras
- [84:24] – Favorite jam question for guests
Final Takeaways
- “Sigma Oasis” has quickly established itself as one of Phish’s key 4.0 jam launches, with several versions already considered for “all-timer” status.
- The Jam Charts are a living resource—ever-evolving, deeply collaborative, and crucial for mapping the Phish landscape.
- Volunteer-driven, open to passionate fan input.
- The episode is both a celebration of “what’s new” in Phish world and of the tireless work required to document and archive this uniquely jammy history.
For more:
- Visit phish.net/jamcharts to explore the jams and submit feedback or descriptions.
- Support the volunteer effort at mockingbird.org.
- Participate in future HFPod song drafts and votes at osirispod.com/rushmore.
