Phish will kick off their summer tour dates in less than a month and will apparently have a new studio album somewhat soon, and frontman Trey Anastasio recently sat down with Rolling Stone for an extended interview to discuss the band’s upcoming summer, how far along they are with the new album, if he has any gigs with the Grateful Dead in his future and why he doesn’t like mixing music and politics.

Anastasio first says that Phish drummer Jon Fishman’s comments about the album being finished weren’t quite correct, as the band is still very much working on the album. “He came in and played drums on a few songs and then left to go on Bernie tour,” he says on Fishman’s comments, noting that the rest of the band was laughing that the drummer said it was all finished. Anastasio does seem pleased with the album, however, saying, “It sounds really great to me. We’re really happy. The band’s firing on all cylinders right now, so this is the perfect time to go into the studio.” The guitarist talks about the band recording in Nashville with producer Bob Ezrin, in Manhattan and even in the homes of bandmates Page McConnell and Mike Gordon. He says that some of the tunes debuted last year will make it onto the record, despite what Fishman previously said. “He’s focused on Bernie right now,” says Anastasio.

He also mentions that, for him, music and politics don’t mix well, invoking an old interview with Jimi Hendrix in which the legendary guitarist said he wasn’t into “the revolution” and just wanted to say what he had to say with his guitar. “I’m watching with curiosity,” says Anastasio. “But I have a very strong resistance to musicians taking a side.”

On Phish’s upcoming tour, Anastasio says he’s excited about the place he and his bandmates are at with their music and their connection onstage. “There’s a feeling of unity that is pervasive on tour,” he says. “When I think about last summer and then in Mexico, and the amount of time that we spent together, and where everybody is in their lives right now, it’s pretty magical.” He also notes that the band has moved their original tunes “to the front burner” in favor of more covers, especially with the new songs they have for the record, which will be a part of this summer’s setlist repertoire.

Contributing to the solid musical space to which Anastasio feels the band has arrived, he says that last summer’s Fare Thee Well shows with the Grateful Dead helped him warm up and get in a zone to play with Phish. On a possible future collaboration with the Dead, Anastasio isn’t closing the door, recounting how much fun he had with the band’s members while preparing for the five concerts.

“I spent a week out at [Bob Weir’s] beach house before the Fare Thee Well tour; the two of us just played,” says Anastasio. “We sat on two little stools in his living room and just played and talked and it was fantastic. He’s such a good guy, and really fun. And I got to go to Phil’s and spend time with him and his family before the shows. Billy came to New York and played drums with me. So, I mean, I love those guys, and I’m always open. I’m grateful for the opportunity.”

Read the full interview here.