In a new interview with Rolling Stone, Trey Anastasio dishes on Phish’s upcoming 13-night “Baker’s Dozen” run at Madison Square Garden as well as their additional summer tour dates that follow the historic run.

“We think of it as a residency,” Anastasio says, also recalling the band’s early residencies at Nectar’s in Burlington. “A residency is something that really works for people who improvise. You get used to the room; you get comfortable and loose.”

The Phish guitarist also discussed how the group decided to fill out the rest of their schedule. “We put ‘The Baker’s Dozen’ on the map, then went, ‘How are we going to fill this in? We gotta go to Chicago.’ And we hadn’t been to Pittsburgh in a long time.” He also affirmed the band’s love of Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, where the group will return once again, recounting their various themed shows at the Colorado venue over the years.

As for preparation for the Baker’s Dozen, Anastasio says the band is “consciously open” about what they will do. “The mystery of it is weird, to be set up in this one place for a long time,” he says. “We’re relaxed about the whole thing. I think the relaxed feeling is the point of doing a residency.”

David Fricke also asked Anastasio about the idea of releasing a box set entirely comprised of soundchecks. “That is a great idea,” Anastasio confirmed.

Phish’s Baker’s Dozen run kicks off July 21 and their summer tour begins July 14 in Chicago.