[This recap is courtesy of user @paulj Paul Jakus, Executive Director of the Phish Studies Association.]

Following stand-alone conferences in 2019 and 2024 in Corvalis, OR, the newly incorporated and nonprofit Phish Studies Association is excited to announce that our first annual meetings were held in Philadelphia November 6-8, as part of the Mid-Atlantic Popular and American Culture Association (MAPACA) meetings and were a resounding success!

The fifteen scholarly presentations ranged from the genesis and influence of Phish festivals, to a technical explanation of why "Tweezer Reprise" rocks so hard. (Hint: Listen to Page!)

Other topics included the effect of improvisational music on the First Year Writing experience, how the Jungian concept of the “shadow” plays out in Phish’s music, and a statistical challenge to the assertion that Grateful Dead lyrics reflect greater complexity than Phish lyrics.

The Guided Listening Session, led by RJ Waugneux, Jake Cohen, and Julie Viscardi-Smalley, dissected the Mike’s Groove from Philly ’97. Yes, they chomped it, but in a good way: the volume was cranked, the joy was palpable, and we learned a lot about Fishman.

We're also very excited to have received this congratulatory note from Phish:

If you are interested in attending next year’s PSA conference in Baltimore, the Call for Papers will be issued in June 2026. In the meantime, head over to phishstudies.net to learn more about PSA (and become a member!)

Finally, watch out for another edition of Phish Studies 101 in Spring 2026.

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