Well said, brother.
Mike said in a recent interview that his solo band serves as his kind of balancing mechanism. His yin to his yang, so to speak. I’m all for it.
I didn’t realize the only creative outlet of a band was writing songs? I wasn’t solely expressing my thoughts on songwriting. Will’s initial response was that Mike and Page have to get their creative outlets out somehow (insinuating that they don’t get this opportnity in Phish). I wholeheartedly disagree with this as you could argue that Mike and Page pretty much drove the jamming last year. I’d say that’s some creative output. I suppose it’s not a song on an album, but it’s certainly inspiring improvisational music.
No, of course that’s not their ONLY outlet for creativity, but would you be happy as a musician playing someone else’s music your whole life? Even if it was great music and you idolized and loved the person writing it? Having the chance to write and play their own songs with their own bands is probably pretty important to them. And they don’t get THAT opportunity in Phish, for better or worse.
Look at their comments about releasing their own albums and touring with their own bands, like Marco said. It’s done nothing but good for them and for Phish. Page especially sounds more confident and assertive than I’d ever heard him pre-3.0. You’re right, they did significantly contribute or even drive the jams last year, which is a good thing IMO. So is songwriting the only creative outlet? No. But is it a significant one if you’re a professional musician with your own unique ideas, trying to find your own voice? Absolutely. Like it or not, they don’t have that outlet in Phish - and I don’t hold that against Trey, that’s just the reality of that band. But I’m glad they can accomodate that reality with their own projects and aren’t just frustrated by struggling against it anymore.
Like an 18 wheeler? 
I love Mike songs and really wish he would get more songs on the albums.
That being said MY understanding is that the people PRODUCING and MIXING the albums have, more or less
“chosen” what songs should be on the albums. Producers probably prefer Trey’s writing to the other members.
2 cents.
To some degree I think this is true, but in the end I think it’s the band’s decision. They have hired their own producers often and taken their creative advice I think. But they own their own record label (JEMP) right, so there shouldn’t be pressure there? I know I read in the Phish Biography that they talked about how much freedom Elektra gave them with producing their albums…kind of let them be. When the company stepped in with their own ideas/producers they made Hoist, and from what I’ve heard the band isn’t too fond of that album. So from then on out they made most of their own decisions.
The best thing about Hoist? Tracking, by fay.
More info please.
Tracking is a “making of the album” video.
Pretty sweet, especially the choir for Julius.
And the close ups of Mike screaming “AXILLA! AXILLA! AXILLA!”
Oh I mean about the new albums.
Especially excited about Mike’s new album… he said that while the Green Sparrow was more guitar centered, the new album is bass-centric. I’m all for it. Musicians as creative as Phish need other creative outlets, and having one where they are the leader and decision maker has got to make it easier to gel in the group, ensemble cast atmosphere of Phish.
Solo Mike is the shit.
My cousin’s future wife sings on a couple tracks off the new Mike album. Going to their wedding in Vermont at the end of August. I think Mike will be there also. 
Any word on the music, release date, etc?
Any more Mike or Page solo dates?? Just Chicago so far?
Mike Gordon Moss Oct 19th
BOOM. Pre-ordered. Along with picking up some older discs from him. Mike’s been a star this year and I’m certainly interested in what he’s putting out.