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.