Hello everyone, welcome to another episode of Goose Ticks Podcast and all women led
to show focus on the band Goose and the community that supports them on Mausly Mac producer Goose
and on today's show, we are joined by Matt Cornfield, the founder of the hot tea party group
that supports Goose fans who choose to stay clean slash sober during Goose shows as well
as two sober Goose fans show stable binky to block and friend of the show Michael Basie
to talk about the sober experience at Goose shows and the importance of creating spaces
like the hot tea party in music communities, how are you doing? Alexias is here, so she'll
see what's going on ladies. Hey, I'm good. I think you're muted Alex. Yeah, I'm good,
I'm good, it's Friday, so going into the weekend, just going to chill and the kids are out
for school, so now I don't have to wake up super early and I can get my schedule started
later, so that's always good. Yes, and Array Blows streaming tonight, so that's my plan
for the night, it's going to be chill. Yeah, for sure. And they're playing this weekend
also, so it's like going full Array Blows like it's a weekend, so tonight and tomorrow night.
Speaking of, I wanted to, I originally was just going to mention here that the boards are
up for all three of the early June fast that Goose played and that I wanted to call special
attention to the red bird into in your eyes from the cat head jam second set. But then,
of course, because Goose is Goose, they announced last night that they were dropping, and if
y'all saw us on our live with House Planet, we mentioned it there, dropping their Radio
City Music Hall shows. On streaming last Sunday midnight, and then today, midday, they
released the Co-Live at Radio City Music Hall 12 times LP box set. And I'm going to read
from the website here at shipping in November 2023. Goose has been making waves nationwide
in recent years and a pair of sold out performances at New York City's hollowed Radio City Music
Hall in June 2022. We're defining moment for the burgeoning quintet. Now fans, can you
live both full concert to June 24th and 25th, 2022 with live at Radio City Music Hall available
for pre-order as a limousine edition, 12 LP vinyl box set. Now, experience the clarity
warmth, the richness of the bounce band's renowned live sound as if you're a sitting front
row center every time you listen. The limousine edition box set presents both concerts on
12, 180 grams sunburst vinyl LPs, each with the unique color combination and includes
an 80 page coffee table book photo, photo book that documents the excitement of both shows.
All 12 records are presented in individually print sleeves that combine to form a mosaic
of the official poster show work by Jim Pollock. Everything comes housing, a limousine edition,
hand numbered box making the perfect way to commemorate the band's historic weekend. Wow,
I mean, what? Yeah, it's kind of wild. If you want to get it, just go to store.goose-band.com.
That's the first thing on the page. So, yeah, I'm broke. I don't know why Goose-band.
Right. Come on. Come on. Oh, my gosh. But then it's like, then you hear that. I'm broke.
Then you hear that. And it's just like, but I have to have that. I mean, a video to clean
out the way I like showed the whole mosaic. I was like, oh, yeah, that's cool. That's
different. Very different. And I love that they're noting that it was a commemorative
moment for them. I think sometimes folks don't take time to do that as it's happening and they
wait a long time to acknowledge when things were important to them. And I love that they're
showing this type of attention and reverence to that moment because we all recognized it.
And obviously, so do they. So, you know, even if you can't afford, hopefully, we can like
have one and like pass it around like, you know, traveling sisterhood. We can do traveling
sisterhood of the live LP box set and just like trade off as shows. So there's a thought out
there for those who think, and maybe you want to have it, but maybe you don't need to have it all
the time. All right. Anyways, let's get to our show, our main show. Bring on our guest.
First up, we have Matt. Cornfield, that was born in 1970 with him many shows and had a
wild ride until he's 34 when he got clean and took him six months to make a show clean.
Now his life is full of joy. And when he gets to do a yellow balloon service, it's a mashup
of two of his favorite things. Matt, thank you so much for joining us today.
Oh, thanks for having me. This is cool.
I'm so glad we're so glad that you're here. Next up is friend of the show Michael Basie,
who grew up in Southwest Michigan is currently a resident of Portland, Oregon. I believe is that
our job on earth is to make people better, which I can attest to. He definitely makes me better.
What's going on, Basie? Not a whole lot. Glad to be here. Thanks for having me.
And last but for sure, as far from Lisa, you could possibly get is Binky. Thank you,
is born in and currently lives in the Connecticut. She followed the great full dead from 1984 to 1995
and returned to the music scene in 2015. After becoming sober, we're a dead and company,
provided an amazing space created by the warfrost that supported her sober live music experience.
She saw Goose in 2019, where I became a committed Goose fan in 2020,
hitting the road to follow them whenever possible. She celebrated 10 years on May 10th.
And it's grateful for her sobriety Goose, the hot tea party, and the amazing Goose community.
What's going on, Binky? I'm so glad you're here on the show.
All right. Thank you for having me. I'm like, I'm just trying, I just got done.
Like I'm packed up for a pet set. So like when I'm done here, I gotta run over and take care of
some doggies for the weekend. Wish I was in Colorado. I got to find the show somehow.
We all wish we were in Colorado right away. Yeah, at least I get to work with dogs. So it's not a bad
consolation for sure. That's also, yeah. I always love all your photos while the doggies do some
stuff. So sweet. And yeah, so big or even a little weekend out in Colorado, plus trays out there,
plus King Giz was just playing Red Rocks. I think Goose was at that show. I'm freaking her.
And so yeah, a lot of great music out there. Good for everyone out in that area of the country.
All right. So again, we were so excited when we started mapping out from the beginning an
inception of a Goose Six podcast. We really wanted to do this episode to talk about the hot tea party
to talk about sober life at shows and within live music communities. I think it's such an important
topic. And also just to help destigmatize things and maybe just spell a few myths that people might
have around this topic. Because I think sometimes folks don't understand they don't know. And then
they behave in ways that are detrimental to the community. So we're here to hopefully get through
some of that and also have a little bit of fun with everyone that's here. And so lucky to know the
three of you and have you with us. Matt, I wanted to start with you and just like can tell us a
little bit about yellow balloon groups and then about hot tea party like what made you want to create
this space specifically in the Goose community. All right. Well, I'll just take it from there. I'll say
before I say anything else, I just want to say that this yellow balloon group for Goose would have
happened with or without me. So I have no ownership of that. You know, I am blessed and lucky to just
have been in the right place. And I put some people together. I introduce some people to each other.
And it's, I don't know how much time you have, but I could share the history of the hot tea party.
But I don't think it's and I love Leslie what you said about dispelling myths, you know. And so just
so everybody knows just for the records of that, you know, big daddy gone back on that. And I heard
Binky was saying she was back in the old days with the grateful dead tour. You know, this whole
thing started. This guy was on tour. Okay. This guy Don Byron. Okay. And like he got, he had to go to,
you know, where he had to go so that he could get his thing together because he just couldn't,
you know, use anymore. And when I say use, I mean use any mind or mood altering substances. I just
say that I say use. And but he wanted to get back on tour, you know, and he was part of a group.
You know, but the group wasn't affiliated with the band and there wasn't any place for him to go
at the band. And he literally, I mean, this is, and I can share with you guys where he tells his
own story. But he literally asked this group, this 12 step fellowship group that's completely
peripheral and unrelated to the shows, like, would you guys go with me to the show? Because I'm
trying to go to the show, you know, and like once people saw that this was happening, it took on
a life of its own. And so all of the yellow balloon groups, and it just happens to be that the yellow,
I guess yellow is the universal symbol of friendship and all that. And it's a really easy way to
find each other at the show. So it's really stuck as a symbol right before we started. I was writing.
I came just like right off the dome. I came up with 15 names of groups. Wow. You know, that are
all associated with bands. Happy to share that whole thing. Don't want to monopolize the time.
No, you want to hear. I think this is great because I'm part of, you know,
dispelling mess involves making sure that we don't erase the history of things. And I'm a real
proponent of making sure that one, like, we acknowledge the, you know, what was built before,
and that this is something that is common in music communities, because again,
that destigmatizes things as well. So like, yes, even your favorite band, whatever it might be.
Oh, okay.
The group bands, right, that are collaborating this way.
It's staggering how many of these things have been really blossoming. And it's interesting
that you should say that. Everything, Leslie, that you say makes me think of something else,
because no, no, it's not really in other genres, you know, although we'll say
that the Green Bay Packers are an NFL team that now has a yellow balloon table.
I do. I spawn that, which is cool.
I know. That's just so wild, right? Oh, man, the jets could use it down in the middle.
So here's this band that is born out of a drug culture. The Grateful Dead.
Yeah. And, and now, so did you literally want me to read that list?
Or you want me to talk a little bit about, okay?
Read some of the list.
I'm sorry, I cut you off.
No, I was just saying yes, read through. Maybe not all of them, but let's do a good number of
them. So yeah, I get started. I'll just do it quick. So obviously, we know the fellow super fish.
And then my personal favorite, I'm a Ron. Okay, so Mo, the band Mo has the happy hour heroes.
And this is kind of in chronological order, the gateway, widespread panic, jellyfish, string,
string cheese incident, and then much obliged for umprees.
Mean, as one called the sunny bunnies, digital booties are for the disco biscuits, daydream
farmer for twiddle, sobered flock for pigeons, playing ping pong. Dusty baggies is another one
that kind of came out around the same time as hot tea. And then here's the one that I just think
is just so crazy. There's a dead cover band in like Indianapolis and they have their own group.
They're called the the dry riders and they're the maybe high rider. And I didn't I didn't read
them all, you know, like you were saying. And you know, as far as you know, as far as how this
all happened, you know, I just I love doing this. And I know other people are going to share their
stories about them love and doing it too. And so I have a personal like I wanted at the show
that I like. I mean, I've had the moment I saw Goose, you know, probably a lot of you guys
around the same times me 2019. I was at peace. I'm like, what's going on here? What's what's going
on with all these moustaches? You know, like, you know, and I did I put a moustache on and I just
I heard, you know, I was like, okay, this is something. This is this is, okay, this is not just like
something else. This is something different. This is something that and I personally, I think that
you know, Goose has a very innovative sound, you know, that it doesn't sound like a lot of other
things. And you know, I'm not here to argue debate with anybody, but, you know, I just loved
it from the moment I saw it. And I was thinking, wouldn't it be cool, man, if they had a table too,
you know, and so, you know, it really took off from there. And later on, I guess I'll share more
of the details, but like I said, I don't want to monopolize. I want to hear about other people's
experience. Yeah, thank you. Thank you so much for that history lesson. I love it. And I think it's
really great. It's also such a testament to like how community organizing works. It's very organic
and it meets needs where people have them. And so this is such a beautiful movement that is
connected, but also independent and naturally occurring within music communities, which is amazing.
So I wanted to just ask, we'll start with you, bankies. Like I know for a lot of people,
like drug and alcohol use is, or was much aligned with the music, live music experience. You know,
what are some things that you might want to share about your decision to become sober? And
how that affected you going to shows? And I know you had a community that was there to support you
with the war for us when you were starting to see things. Yeah, especially because you know,
live music is such a healing thing in and of itself. So like giving it up feels like something
really difficult. So like figuring that out is important probably.
Right. So I, let me say I spent all of my grateful that years, obviously,
under the influence. And then I really had left the music scene and really went down the rabbit hole,
like severe alcoholism and drug addiction and all that stuff. Alcohol was really the one that
had me down for keeps. It was the one thing that I just couldn't give up. So when I finally gave it up,
I was like in 2013 because I was dying of end-stage liver failure. Like that's what it took
for me to stop drinking was literally my liver was like on its way out and I was really scared.
So, um, so I, you know, slowly but surely got better. And, um, in 2015, when fairly well, like,
when the dead got together for their 50th, I had the money and I had, um, like, I had the means
to do to get everywhere, but I didn't have a community anymore. So I just kind of let that go.
And then dead and company formed and I jumped on a bunch of warfront Facebook groups and
started connecting with people there. And dead and company came to Worcester and I live in central
Connecticut so Worcester is not that far from me. And, um, so I went with a couple guys from AA.
One of them is not really a dead head or fish fan or anything. Not even a jam band person. And
then the other one is a huge fish fan and dead head. So we went up together, but I had connected
with some people online and I met them at the warfront meeting during, they have meetings at
separate. And, um, so introduced myself and started getting to know people and then I started
going to more shows and then I started connecting with even more people. And, um, so it was just
really beneficial because I just, it helped give me the confidence to be able to go to the shows
knowing that I had safe space to be at. And, um, you know, doing some work I did AA for quite a while
and doing the work in AA at the obsession was lifted. So once that was lifted after doing some
spiritual work and step work and stuff, it made it much easier to, um, go by myself to shows
and just meet up with people there. Um, it made it easier for me to not be tempted and all that
stuff. So like, I don't want to get into all that because AA is not affiliated with any of these
groups or anything. Like, are any of the sober groups in the bands and stuff are not affiliated
with any particular like AA or anything like that. So, um, but it just made it really, um, made
that a lot easier. And then once I found goose, I just like, there was just no holding back and I just,
the clarity that I have when I go to shows, um, the ability to be able to know that I could drive
three or four hours after a show if need be to get to the next place or to get home or whatever,
um, without worrying about the partying aspect of it or knowing that if I have an early flight in
the morning to do whatever, it's like to know that I'm going to have like a clear head and a nice,
healthy body is just like, it keeps the momentum going, you know. And it's just, it's just been,
it's just been absolutely incredible. Just, um, just taking this whole ride like sober. Like, I,
I used to not be able to live my life. Like, I couldn't even imagine my life with without alcohol
and drugs. And now, like, I, now that I've got some staying power and some time, I couldn't even
imagine my life under the influence of anything. So it's just been amazing. And the people, the sober
folks that I meet along the way is just, it's just been such an incredible ride. And I've just met
some really incredible people and formed some really, really close friendships. And, uh, and all
over the country, that's the best part. It's not like, oh, it's just local, you know what I mean?
It's not like I just have like local groups. It's like, no matter where I go, no matter what show I
go to, I know there's going to be some sober folks that, um, that I can hang with, you know. So it's
just, and that are comfortable identifying themselves as such and building community.
Like, I want to turn over to you. How, what has this been like, like, finding community within
like music spaces, um, you know, and in support of sobriety? I mean, it's, it's absolutely fantastic,
you know, it, uh, it just makes everything easier and better for me. So like, let's see, like,
so for me, like, I absolutely love drugs, but I am fully incapable of regulating my consumption
of them. And that leads to negative effects on my life and the lives of people around me, right?
And, but the problem with me is that like, I forget the second part of that statement completely.
And so having a sober community around these bands, and when I walk into a show and I go find my
spot, and then the first thing I do is I go to the yellow table and I give them some money and I get
some candy and I get a hug and I tell somebody I love them and they give me a hug back. And just
that like small act, like puts it back into my subconscious that like, there's a reason I got sober
and like, and, and it's just, it reminds me of that because my brain likes to forget about those
reasons, you know? That kind of gave me like a nice, nice feeling.
And, uh, you know, I, I like what Binky said too about, you know, doing a little bit of work on
myself and having that obsession lifted. And that's, that's been a really, really big thing for me
and being able to go to shows too is that, uh, you know, I know that that obsession's been lifted.
I know that I have a reason to come into this place, which is for live music. And then when I can
find other sober people around to like, reaffirm what I'm doing and why I'm doing it, it just like makes it
awesome. That's really cool. Matt, could you tell everyone a little bit about like, and, you know,
y'all table it shows and so, and you also have an online presence on media about like, what kind of
support and resources are, are being made available at hot tea party and, you know, generally in
these yellow blin, you know, affiliated services. Thanks. Let me, let me, let me first just focus on
what it is that's happening at the show. Because most of the time where the meeting is happening and
where the table is like, you know, here and what Michael, you know, just said, you know, really kind of
got me emotional and I was feeling it and it just floods me with memories. I have, you know,
for every one of those groups that I've named, I've done the table, you know, and I'm a part,
I'm a part of it. So, at shows, you know, we're providing, and this is straight from Warfrat
literature, we're providing traction in a slippery environment. Here's the hit, right? Is that
recovery means different things to different people, you know, and, you know, if you go, I heard
Binky mentioned particular, you know, groups or whatever like that, you know, and groups like that,
12 step groups, you know, they've got a whole set of traditions that protect them from having
spokespeople, you know, and we don't have that, you know, like, you know, we're just a yellow blin
community. And so we're there for anybody, for any reason, who doesn't want to use at that show?
Yeah, it's true. Like, probably a lot of percent, I'm not going to put a number on it. I'm just going
to say a lot of percent of the people live a recovery lifestyle, and maybe for them, that means
total abstinence from all-mind and mood altering substances. You know, I can say that for me,
you know, but I'm not here to put my judgment on somebody else. And like, at the table,
we don't have an opinion about how other people do their shows. You know, we're not here to,
you know, say like how schwilly somebody looks, you know, as a matter of fact, I want to get water
to that person, you know, like I really do. You know, and, you know, so first and foremost,
that's what I wanted to say is that it's not exclusionary in any way. It's all inclusive
for anybody. Real briefly, I just want to tell you about a mojo in Utica, New York once.
They're actually playing this weekend in the same venue. And there was a guy who came to the happy
hour hero's table. And this guy was scared to death to fail his drug test. I love telling this
story. He brought his parole officer to the show with him. He didn't know about the table.
And this PO was willing to go to the show with him. I mean, it's upstate. It's really
polite, right? So it's a call. And he just felt so relieved when he saw that the table was there.
And who knows what kind of lifestyle he has, you know, and what else he wants to do in his
life and where he wants to grow spiritually. And like that's not even what, you know, we're all
about. Yeah, we do mostly all have that in common. That's true. But if not, you know, you're there.
What if you're just a designated driver that night? Yeah. So, you know, what if you just kind of
keep it together? Because, you know, you're going to see your dad after the show or whatever.
Like, who cares? Like, if for any reason, like, you don't want to use at the show,
like, we're down. We're there for you, you know, and so for some people, that's why for me,
personally, I don't do these clean time countdowns at the table, you know, and when people do want
to do it, I don't, I don't get in the way. And I'm not going to say, or don't do that. I'm not,
but, you know, I'm not the police of anything. Not here anyway. But yeah, no, that's, that's what we do.
And as far as connecting together, I think Facebook is a wonderful way that people connect,
and all kind of, when I read your, your rundown of this, and I heard something about me having
a social media presence, I don't, I don't, I don't, I don't, I don't, that's, I socialize,
and I'll use whatever platform I can to socialize with other human beings, you know, but once Facebook
groups get into controversial things, like, I have this wonderful, you know, way of just ignoring
that and not participating in any of the nonsense that goes on, you know, so I would say that I'm
proud of the hot tea party, you know, for having a Facebook group that doesn't really get involved
with like kind of things that gonna deter, I don't know how many of you guys ever go on there,
or whatever, see how we know how it's looking out there. Sure.
On the fellowship page, and it gets, you know, or the war for that page or whatever, it gets like,
you know, to be like a turn off, you know, I unfollow everything. I suggest everybody unfollow,
and honestly, I think and choose what I follow. Yeah.
Right. I feel like you're in peace for your, for your own, you know, peace and well-being,
for sure. So I'm a curator. That's right. I just, can I say one thing, just one,
it's okay. So one of the great things about the table, besides obviously the traction for,
you know, for whoever needs it, and the socialization, and for our sober folks to meet up and say,
hello to each other, is the one show to time stickers. Because I always go to the table,
and I give a donation, and I grab a one show to time stickers. So that way, when I have a sticker
on me, and somebody is out there and is aware of what the sticker means, and they need traction
away from that table, they know that I'm a safe space, they can come grab me, or stand near me,
or whatever they need to do for themselves, because they know that I'm safe, that I'm sober,
and then I have their back. So that's like the importance of why I wear that sticker,
and I always search that out first thing when I get to a show. And I want to add to that,
my very first encounter with Binky was outside of a show, and she had a yellow pin inside of
her clear bag. And so I brought it up to her, and that was incredible, because I knew that she
was sober, I knew that she was safe, I knew that she had my back, and we had that connection,
and we raged together that night. We raged together so hard. We totally did.
That was so great from the rail. It was amazing.
That's awesome. I remember the, in the first, like when I first met Binky in the very beginning,
I knew she was sober, and like if I had any alcohol, anything, I was so afraid, like I wanted
to be so respectful of you being sober. So I know that she thought that I was being weird with her,
because I would always run the other way when she would be coming, and it was because I wanted
to respect her being sober. And then one night I was talking to her, it was like before the show,
and I was like, Binky, I hope that you don't think I'm being weird, I just want to respect you being
sober. And she's like, she's like, no, it's okay, she's like, I'm fine, I'm okay with this,
and she's like, I'm good, and I was like, okay, and so it was really cool to talk to her and like
to know that, and to know, are you cool being around people and just respecting people's
sobriety, and like what level they're at, because some people can't have anything around,
you know, they can't, they're at that level yet. So it's also really important to see like what
level people are at with that. But I'm so happy that Binky, like we've become such good friends,
but it was so funny, I would just like, jet the other way in the beginning.
I know, I wonder like, I think I feel like sometimes, I don't mean I'm not trying to monopolize,
but there are times that shows are trying to plan to go to shows, and like,
you know, it's like I want to room with, like I want to hang out with people, right? But like,
can I really room with them? Because we're going to be up till six in the morning, you know what I mean?
Or like, just crazy parting in the room or whatever. So it's like, and then I have,
and I just wonder if like some people like stay away from me with planning because they know
I'm sober, and they don't want to feel uncomfortable, you know, so I don't know. It's just kind of
weird sometimes, but, but, uh, obviously, because I go to a ton of shows, but, yeah, that's why I
love conversations like this, because it helps like, break down the walls and like the stigma around
even having these conversations with each other about what's already means to your friends and
people that are in your lives and what their needs might be, and being really open about having
those kind of conversations, you know, we had June Atkin on the show a couple of weeks ago talking
about the importance of that so health, and attending to our individual needs. And I think this
is such an extension of that, or you know, adjacent to those same self-care principles that we
talked about on that show as well. So what advice do y'all have for fans who are attending a show
sober for the first time that might be listening to this? Like, how can they best utilize and engage
with hot tea party and what are some, you know, things that you that have helped you all as shows?
AC will start with you. I mean, I would say the first thing would be for me is to, like I said,
I go find my spot usually and then I locate the table and I go locate some other folks that are
sober and I get that sticker. And it's awesome because, you know, immediately I am reminded,
like I said, that there's other sober people around me. And like Binky said, I know that all those
people got my back and I got there back. And, you know, then from there, like, do with it whatever
you want. If you're at the show by yourself and you don't want to be by yourself, I guarantee you
you can find six people at a hot tea party table to enjoy that show with. They're like, oh yeah,
we got a spot over here. Come on. Let's get down. Yep. So, you know, that that's my number one
advice. It's just just introduce yourself, you know, be present at the table and go from there.
Love that. Thank you about you. What are your suggestions for new folks?
Pretty much what he said, but also, you know, I would maybe even just go into whatever particular
band you want to see, like, whether it's a hot tea party or if it's dusty baggies with Billy
Strings, whoever warfrots. And mention the fact that you want to go to the show that you're flying
solo and that you're a little bit nervous and you're looking for, you're looking to hook up with
some people, like you're looking for some silver support, you know, and and I've seen it like not
not even in sober groups like other groups and people say they're going solo with a loan. It's like
people like step up, step up immediately and we're like, you can hang with us, you can, you know,
and it will definitely happen within a sober group. And, you know, if that falls short, definitely
go up to the table once you, if you find your spot first or if you need to find the table first
and then figure out where you're going to be, then definitely find the table, start talking with
some people, you know, there's everyone so social at those tables. We're there. It's there, we're
there for service. I would like to say that I do a lot of service in the tables, but in Matthew's
asked me before, but I am a real writer. So I'm at the stage. I am these two shows like they're my
vacation. So I'm like, I don't want to do service, sterile. I do a lot of service like privately,
people reach out to me all the time. I am very helpful, but anyway, so yeah, I would, you know,
I would definitely go to the table, um, grab one show at a time sticker if they're available,
not every venue allows stickers inside, um, and just start talking to people, but you know,
definitely joining some of these groups, like on Facebook, um, on, you know, on social media,
will definitely help to start your networking process. And then you start going to the shows and
you'll just, you'd be amazed. You're really, you'd just be amazed, you know, um, with how much
sober support there really is at the shows. And definitely, um, you know, try to hit a meeting
at set break and listen, you know, listen to others have to say. And um, my experience with
going to war fright meetings, um, you know, in the past have always been the most people share
about gratitude. They're just so grateful that they're at the show that they have the sober support
in, you know, they share their anniversaries and some people are in a hard spot and they'll share
that, but there's just so much amazing support at those meetings. And I think that's an awesome
place for these people to be to, uh, to really start building, um, a live music sober foundation.
Aside from whatever support they're getting outside of live music, you know, this is just like,
it's the community within the live music scene for sober support. It's just, it's just absolutely
amazing. So, um, I want to add, I want to add to what she said about, you know, attending the meetings,
at set break. I had, uh, experience at a much obliged table this winter. And, um, at set break,
there was a person that was just sharing about how the people that they came with were all super,
super intoxicated. And it was causing them, causing them strife a little bit, you know. And so,
I said to her, well, why don't you come hang out with me and my friends, like they might each have
a couple drinks, but nobody's like fucked up or whatever. And she did. And, uh, it was one of my
favorite times at a show in the past few years, like almost at the end of the second set. She
just looked over at me and she said, thank you so much. I'm enjoying this so much more than I
was at the beginning of this show. And we didn't exchange numbers. We might never see each other again.
And, but like the table was there. And I was in a unique situation to help another person out.
And, and that really is awesome thing about hot tea party and other yellow balloon groups.
I love it. Matt, how about you advice for folks that might be hearing this and thinking, okay,
well, I thought I couldn't, you know, be sober at shows, but this gives me a little bit of, uh,
you know, hope or a way to do so. What is your advice for them?
I think that, you know, uh, Pinkie and Michael, you know, laid out the blueprint, you know,
we're there to take advantage. We try to have a meeting at set break. Sometimes it's too loud to
really do that, but it doesn't stop you from connecting and building that network. It doesn't stop
that. Sometimes people really want that more than they want a meeting. Yeah. And they just hang out.
And we have the, you know, a real good group. I guess what I'll do is is since I've been doing this
for a while, um, it's been, it's been a while. Um, I'll say this. The most important thing is to
be able to check your motives and look at your intentions and ask yourself, like, am I ready? Why am I
going? You know, am I only going for the music? You know, am I only going for the unity and the
community? And if you can honestly look at yourself and say that that's what you're there for,
then then there's the blueprint, you know, you got all the people, strangers stopping strangers,
you know, like you're really true. You know, people helping each other out and just for
no reason, other than because, you know, it was done for them and because it's a nice thing to do.
And Binky, I heard you say service and I, you know, I listen, I understand that people can't do it
because they want to get up in the front. They don't want to give up their show. My super suggestion
for you is one of the groups for a band you don't love. There you go. And thank you. I'll tell you what,
I mean, I'm not going to say which band on the list is the one that I don't care about missing
the notes of the show. I'm not here to bash any bands, you know, but there are some that it's like,
you know, I'm so happy to be there for the people and, you know, they're happy to see me. Yeah,
you know, and they come and they do. They get their yellows, the sticker, although I thank you so
much for that suggestion because I was in the same car. Thank you. And maybe Michael and I can do
a show that, well, they could pick a band that neither one of us liked too much and we could do it
together. Let's talk about that after the podcast. I forgot in the rundown. Can I? Can I?
You asked me in the beginning and with Binky talking about service, there are people that I would
like to recognize because, yeah, please, we'd love what really makes it go. You know, it's not
to put the money that you put in. It's great. When we see 20s go in there, we got a whole thing,
but what's more valuable is your time. And that's what we've been talking about, right? Being able
to show up an hour early, you know, and believe me, don't, don't show up even one minute late if you're
going to do the table for fish because they will leave you on the ass. But I do want to send a special
recognition to some certain people because when the hot tea party formed, there was a guy Phil Jackson,
he's been doing work with string cheese for a long time. And he just like me, we were talking,
we were out at somewhere, Maryweather or something like that or, you know, it doesn't matter what
show, but and we were like, yeah, let's get this for goose. Let's do this. And like, you know,
he was trying to go the route of like getting with the management team and, you know, we were
putting the Facebook group together. As a matter of fact, Adam Colton in Long Island, he was helping
and he had put one together. And I had to change the name from what he originally had. I think
he had it as the gander originally or something like that. I forget. But there were some people
after a while when I had the Facebook group, you know, where I was saying, hey, who's willing to
actually do the work that's needed to make this happen, to be organized and the form of group
conscience so that we can get appropriate people to work the table and so that we can, you know,
seem legit when we do get the opportunity. So I have a short list of people. Lauren S down south,
she's our Southern coordinator couldn't have done it without her. Jen M out in the west. That's
our, and I'm not naming people's last names. It's nothing to do with anybody. I just, I don't
want to mispronounce anybody's last name. In the west coast coordinator. And then ish, ish,
a is our Midwest coordinator. So we have the country kind of like all covered and we have these
group conscious meetings. And then of course, Ed, probably some of you have already spoken with Ed,
maybe you know, Ed F. He's in Long Island or he wasn't long on now. He's upstate New York and
he covers the East Coast. And of course, I, I love my role because I'm just kind of this guy in the
background that just kind of helps people meet each other. And I'll ask the question. I'll say,
hey, Andrea, and that's another shout out. Hey, Andrea, are you willing to be the treasurer?
Somebody's got to hold the money. Somebody's got to come up with the QR code for the, you know,
and we trust her with the money. And Andrea does a great job doing that. And we tried to go the route
of going through the, I've turned out my old friend Mack Olinsky was working with them.
And I thought, oh, this is going to be perfect. I know, Mack, you know, like, and I'm going to be
in. But it wasn't, it didn't work out like that. And it wasn't until Drew, right? Drew G from
Connecticut, maybe think he knows him. He's, he's friends with Ben. And it wasn't until Drew
that we broke through. And it just happened to all of a sudden, the very first hot tea party table
was at Westville. And it was cool. We got a tablecloth. And it's exciting. And, you know, I just,
I don't know, I haven't heard from everybody here. But I didn't want to let this whole thing go.
You know, like I said, when I first made my first thing, I said, this is going to happen with or
without me. I mean, I do a lot, you know, I'm not saying I don't do a lot. But there's nothing
special about me. I'm just willing to, you know, to take the time. I'll do a table for any ban.
As long as I don't have something with my son or, you know, something to do with something else.
And I just, I love going and, and, and doing it. But I did want to mention all those people
because when it came down to it, and I put it on the Facebook group and I said, Hey, is anybody,
like, does anybody like have willingness and availability to do service work, you know, to like,
really make this happen? The people that I just named, that's the group conscience. And we got
together and it took a long time to write like the, you know, we didn't just cut and paste from
the other groups. You know, we made it our own, you know, and so thank you for letting me.
I know, I know I've dominated the conversation. I don't know. That's why we have you here.
Literally, you're the fount of knowledge. So we needed your expertise in your insight,
which actually gives a good, you know, segue to my next question for you, Matt, which is, you know,
if folks are, are fans of other bands and they don't yet have a sober space, what are some
stops that you would suggest folks take to start one in their individual music communities?
It's almost the same answer for like going to the show and not using. It's like, just look
at your heart and ask you, you know, what's your intention? You know, my intention, you know,
when I wanted to put these people together was is, I just want to see a table at the show. You know,
like, I mean, having a relationship with the band, and I will say this, there are so many bands.
Oh, I forgot to mention Aggie, the seekers of joy. Very newest one. Aggie also from Connecticut,
one of my. Yeah. Having a having a relationship with the band and realizing that this is not
something that you're entitled to, you know, realizing that this is something that, you know,
we're not a high priority for them. You know, they have a lot to remember, a lot to take care of.
Currently for Mo, they don't carry a whole bin for us. It's literally my son's old knapsack.
Okay. And they just have one little knapsack. Al took a picture of it. He put it on his
ends. That was so cool. But, you know, like, you know, just asking the other fans, that's how Adam
got it started with the hot tea party in particular. He started a Facebook group. He said, hey,
is there anybody else who likes goose right now who just is like not down for using, you know,
because look, I haven't used anything since 11804, you know, and it took me a while to be able to
get back to a show and I couldn't have done it without fellowship. I couldn't have done it without
other people, you know, supporting me. Now I can go anywhere. I can do anything. It doesn't matter
because, you know, like I have experience with it. But in the beginning, you know, I had to know,
you know, the thing and so building your building your network of people who are willing to,
you know, not just go and, you know, and say, oh, that's cool. But people who are willing to give
the most valuable thing they have their time. Can I ask you a question, Matt? So if somebody,
so they get a group together, and how do they get through to, do they get in touch with the venue,
or do they get in touch with the venue? How would they do that? Do you know? That's a great
question. Not the venue, right? There are some venues right now that are approaching us,
you know, as far as yellow balloon, you know, groups and saying, how do we get this? But that's not
what we have right now. What we have right now is we have individual relationships. Every one of
those fellowships, organizations that I named has a special individual relationship where there's
a band liaison and there's a contact person. And it's like, there's a lot to it. It's not a
little super simple thing. And they put us on the guest list and they want us to show up a certain
time. They want to make sure somebody's always at the table all night. We need people who are
responsible. And honestly, we want people who are, you know, I don't want to be controversial
here, but we want people that are appropriate. If you want to talk more about what that means later,
I don't want to get into the whole thing. And I respect everybody's road to recovery. I'm not
here to tell anybody what recovery means. I know what it means for me. I know I can't use anything.
And that gets touched. But building a relationship with the community of people who want to see
it happen and then getting the band's permission. And I wish it was easy as getting in touch with
the management, but that doesn't seem to do it. What seems to do it is somebody who's inside of the
band wants it. They know somebody who died. Okay. They know. I've seen, I got another great one.
How about this? One time the worth rats were having a hard time getting into the show a long time
ago. And Phil Les himself made sure that those who got into the show and he, this is like a legendary
thing. And who knows how true it is. I'm only going to say I heard this story, right? But Phil said to
the people that were going on a hard time at the door with the guest list and said, hey,
those people saved lives. Get those people in here. We need those people to come in this show right
now. And some people love it. Nobody has to die. I don't know. It gets super touchy. But as far
as doing that, if there's a new band, whatever, connect with some of us on the other groups.
You know, and it can happen. You got to be patient. It takes a long time. And you got to,
you know, have luck and faith, you know, that it's going to happen. But it doesn't stop you,
and I'll say this and this will be the end of it, right? It doesn't ever stop you from just
bringing your own yellow balloon, right? Because there's some bands that don't want it.
Where they've asked and they even have band members. And I definitely won't say the name of that band.
But for years, there's one band that they said, no, we, that's just too much of a hassle putting
you on the guest list and, you know, having, you know, asking each venue to get a table and stuff
like that. We just can't be bothered with that. You know, um, was the feeling, you know, not that
specific words, but there was just a no. There was a no coming from the band's camp. But that doesn't
stop the people from getting together. You can't stop us in the hallway from way, although in
Radio City, speaking about that thing, I was told by the Radio City staff to not have a balloon.
And that was, that was funny. And we do have to respect the venue always. You said about
no stickers. Some venues don't want the stickers. Capital, you know, yeah, you know, that's
right. And, uh, but look at that beautiful wallpaper they got with Jerry.
Nobody wants to mess up. That's why they don't want to piss on it. Yeah, you don't want stickers
all over their bathroom. There's bad control over the stickers. Once we put it on the table,
you know, we don't know what we could ask people to, I spent a lot of time after I do the,
you know, the table, you know, kind of policing the area and making sure there's not a bunch of
stickers on the floor, you know, stuff like that. Yeah. But I believe that there's going to be more
and more yellow balloons, uh, groups popping up. Hopefully for different genres, you know,
I'd love to see it in the rave community or, you know, sound tribe or, you know, just to, you know,
EDM with stuff like that where there's a pervasive, you know, culture of, uh, you know, drugs and,
you know, uh, or even where there's not. Did you guys know that James Taylor is the only artist
that asked to have a yellow balloon group? This was not fan-formed. Every other one that I named,
I didn't even think of James Taylor because it's like off my radar. And I did the table at James
Taylor and I don't know if it was needed for the people, but James wanted it. And you got it for
James all around the whole nation. Everybody, when we heard it was like lightning, the people were
trying to talk to Chris Thrasher in Atlanta and Lauren Rich in Long Island and Lisa Terry on the
West Coast. And everybody was like, oh, James Taylor wants one? Yes, we are. Yes, we're going to do
that. We're going to make that happen for James. And, uh, he put Narcan in the box.
I was going to ask you, you know, like, do y'all have, do y'all have Narcan at the tables? And
we don't have any, but, you know, volunteers are supposed to bring some candy
and we're supposed to make sure, you know, like, we have stickers available if appropriate. And,
you know, we don't, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't happen, that people don't bring it.
I mean, like, at the Met, and you guys went to the Met for those great goose shows.
Yes. Without the, what a beautiful venue. The EMT's there. We're giving us.
And there was another non-for-profit that was right next door at the next table, right next door.
Sure, I sure, I wish they'd give us a different spot than you for the.
I know a lot of fans bring Narcan. Yeah, as far as the table, you know, we're there for traction,
support. You know, we're not medical professionals. Right. Yeah. Yeah.
That's that's why I was just wondering, you know, because I work with the charity here at home.
My cousin passed away of an ID. And so we'll give out Narcan and stuff. And so I've put on,
I put on Elk goose a few times, you know, like if anyone needs any Narcan or
fentanyl testing strips or whatever, you know, let me know. And I'll send them to you and stuff.
So that's what that's why I was asking. I can, I can bring some if you, if you need something.
And they will. They'll put it in the bin and then the bin and then it will be there.
But we don't, we don't take it upon ourselves to do it. I don't think we're opposed to it.
Okay. I haven't heard anybody oppose that. And also the testing strip. Somebody tested something
at the, at the Met. Yeah. Yeah. Those things, it's important. I mean, it's, it's insane with what
you hear, like, you know, just, it's really insane about it. So, but yeah, I'll bring some.
And that's good to, it's good to know. And so that way the, there'll be some. And, um, but I,
I so much appreciate this and having a sober place, you know, for everyone. And for everyone,
because it is so important when you're talking about networking, that's what we have at the shows.
And we're all networking with each other. And so that's very important to network and have
that networking, you know, group so that you can go with different people and know like, hey,
I've got this person to go sober with. So that's so, thank you all so much for, for that.
And good advice on the, um, the go and, you know, which band it is not your one that you have to
be in the front right for. There is a lot of things. Did you guys, did you guys ever hear of the
Yoda ladies, the Yoda ladies? No, no. Yeah. So it's similar to what you guys have formed,
but it's for Mo. There's a rose song called Yoda little. And the Yoda ladies formed. And they
would, and they would offer like, um, you know, if anybody felt unsafe at like, mo down or something,
and they wanted to walk back to their camp, you know, back to their, their spot or whatever. Yeah,
I was thinking while you're talking, you know, it's all about community and just knowing you,
you know, you're not alone there at the show. Like you have people that are in a similar spot as you
and that's how I feel about goose chicks, too, is when I'm going to a show alone as a woman.
It's nice to know there's other women there I can connect with and have someone and know I'm not
alone. And, um, and I think that's what it's all about. It's just having people you can connect
with and depend on for community. So I love that. So thank you for sharing. I learned a lot. Yeah.
So good to hear from you Chelsea. Been so quiet. A lot of people are just listening. So
I was in their synthesizers. So this conversation will end up with like three new show ideas
afterwards, because I'll be turning the data and the information. And then she'll be like,
you know what? I think we need to do a panel with all
from different bands. Then we're going to find the like founders of the funky bitches in a month.
So anyway, literally, that's what I'll end up happening. So yeah, she's,
she's our synthesizer often, our own, our very own Empress actually.
As we finish up, I want to give Michael and Binky one more, just a chance if there was anything else
that you felt was missing that we didn't get to say or cover that you wanted to make sure folks
knew about any resources that you direct people to as well. Michael, I'll start with you.
Michael, no, I don't have anything else to add. I just want to say to you all and anybody
listening if nobody's told you yet today. I love you. I don't really have too much to add
except to say thank you so much for inviting me on. I'm always so nervous when I'm invited to do
these things, because I just feel really funny on screen. But this was great. And it was great
to hear you, Matthew. It's great to see you again, Michael. And I'll see some of you in Louisville.
Yes, right? All you ladies going?
I just like to tell you. Okay, so I will see you guys in Louisville. I just got my Mr.
Pleas tickets too. Oh, yeah. And Mr. Pleas. I haven't seen Mr. Pleas yet. I've seen House
plant. So I'm really excited to see Jared's ban. But yeah, so just thank you so much for inviting me.
And this was wonderful. And to be honest, I was kind of in quite a little funk. And I was kind
of dreading coming on here. And the fact that I just started talking about recovery and the
benefits of it. And the community really got me out of my negative headspace. So I'm very
appreciative for that too. So we love you. We love you. Thank you so much.
That just one final thing question is like if people do want to volunteer their time talent or
treasure to the hot tea party, can you tell folks where to go and where they should look for to
volunteer at shows or to give information about volunteering or supporting the work?
I guess while you're at the show, you can just talk to the volunteer. That's the the front line
way to do it. We do have the Facebook group. It's the hot tea party. You know, that's just
lowercase tea, hot tea party, the hot tea party. And you know, I mean, I'll put my phone number
in the chat here. If anybody wants, I can connect you with, I don't know. Go to your phone number over there.
Okay. I won't do it. I won't do it. But what I'm saying is if anybody has a particular region
that they're interested in, I would funnel you to the right person. Like the way we have it divided
up amongst the, you know, certainly, I mean, yeah, but as far as the other social media platforms,
I know they're big on it. You know, the only, the only insta I have is for my radio show. I
don't really know. I don't really go on there for anything other than for my public access radio show.
Got it awesome. Great to hear. We'll include a link to Matt's radio show on the show notes for
the show. So you can check those out. So you can take a listen and support Matt's work outside of
this yellow balloon work that it means so much. Thanks again, Michael and Binky and Matt for
joining us. We're so, so glad that you're here. Goose Chicks podcast is produced by LZNAC. That's me
with support from Sound Engineer Matt Dwyer, co-host Alexia Sleepo and contributors Chelsea Long
and Hannah Liebri special thanks to our sponsor Ben and Jerry's for their support, especially
Jay Curly, Jay Tandon and both of their teams. We are a proud member of the Osiris Media family.
You can check us out on socials at goosechickspod and on our website goosechickspod.com.
And remember to subscribe and leave us a review in your favorite podcast app. Also,
tell a friend about the show. It really helps us out. Don't forget to call our number. Leave
us a message at 704-275-3128. Until next time, be kind to each other out there and remember keep it
tight. Bye y'all.
Keep doing it. Thank you.