Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Man, I'm so excited this morningbecause I get to talk to one of
my favorite people who is in myvery favorite band, and that is guitarist
Joel Hochstra, who, of coursewe all know from his many trips here
to the Capitol Region as part ofthe Trans Siberian Orchestra. Good morning,
Joel, how are you. I'mdoing great. I'm doing as well as
(00:22):
a musician can be doing at thishour, you know. I mean,
it's a light to talk to you, and it's super exciting to be talking
about the Trans Siberian Orchestra tour comingto Albany. We can't wait. We
love you guys. Listen, wecan't wait either. It is truly I
mean, and I'm sure you hearthis a lot, but it is a
tradition here in the Capitol Region.I mean, this is what you do
(00:44):
at Christmas time, you go seethe Trans Siberian Orchestra. So we are
thrilled to have you back. Letme tell everybody that the date is November
twenty nine. Tickets are going onsale Friday morning at ten o'clock at ticketmaster
dot com. You don't want tomiss November twenty nine at the MVP arena.
So Joel, tell us about thistour, tell us about what we're
(01:06):
going to see from you guys,because I'll tell you just my own personal
experience. Every time I see you, it feels bigger and better than the
year before. Yeah, I meanthat certainly goes back to Paul O'Neill and
his philosophy, our founder and creatorwhen when he set out to do this,
he was the intention was to haveevery year make it bigger and better.
(01:27):
And those that haven't seen Pso,I mean the production is just like
really a jaw dropping spectacle. Imean, we have a video screen with
at the arena, We've got likea Pink Floyd laser light show. It
snows inside the arena. We've gotPyro going off and the performers on moving
hydraulic lifts out over the audience andin the back of the arena. So
(01:51):
I think, you know, ascorny as it is, there's something there
for everybody because the front half there'salways a story that occurs that the music
surrounds. That is a rock opera, if you will, And so this
year that story is the Ghost ofChristmas Eve, which is essentially like the
greatest hit, like a sort ofbest of So if you've never seen pso,
it's the great year to come checkus out for the first time.
(02:13):
I think, you know, we'vegot one hundred and four shows this year,
so it's like the Marines of Rock. We get out there and we
we hit it all in in amonth and a half because nobody wants to
go see the Christmas show on Julytwenty seven or something like that. So
we get out there and work reallyreally hard for you guys and try and
give you guys, like the absolutebest possible show we can. And it's
(02:35):
worked. I mean, here weare. Since we started, we played
over eighteen million people, and we'vegot over seven hundred and fifty million audio
video streams. It's sold over twelvemillion CDs. It's just amazing to be
a part of. And yet it'ssomething that still feels great grass roots where
we have a great connection with ourfan base. We're friends with them,
(02:58):
and so I don't know how exactit all works. It's sort of like,
I guess it's just Christmas magics,you know, I think there is
some Christmas magic. I also knowthat you guys work incredibly hard. Again,
I'm speaking with Joel Hochstra guitars forthe Trans Siberian Orchestra. Joel,
do you find you know, you'retalking about your fans and seeing them and
you know, I know from myown personal family that this is how it
(03:20):
goes. But do you see that? You know, you used to have
people who would come, and nowthose people bring their kids with them,
and you know, their grandparents withtheir kids. Have you seen that over
your time with tso of the generationsthat come, And like I said,
it's so it's like the most clicheline in the world to say there's something
in it for everybody, you know, but wait when the kids are there,
(03:44):
they're really into all the pyro andthey're into like, hey, it's
inside and everything that I just spoketo. But I think the story a
lot of times is something that appealsmaybe to the older generations, and it's
it is pretty incredible to see grandparentsand parents and the kids or grandkids out
there all seated together and everybody's gota smile on their face. Nobody looks
like they're being held hostage and kindof going like, hey, what are
(04:06):
we leave it? Why do weleave it? So it's uh, yeah,
it's just something that seems to workfor all ages, like legit,
and that's really exciting to be apart of. I love my bandmates,
you know, we got a specialbomb. We spend the holidays together every
year. Love the fan base.Have so many people that I just considered
(04:27):
be my friends in the fan base, and it just doesn't I'm honored to
be a part of. It's it'sunlike any other thing. I've played in
a lot of rock bands, andI understand that, you know that dynamic
of having the super fans, etcetera. But there's something about TSO where
that goes to the next level.You know. I jokingly refer to us
as the Grateful Dead of Christmas becausewe see everybody every year, and then
(04:50):
there's people that even follow us fromcity to city and go to the shows,
and it's just it's it's something extraspecial. Yeah, I agree with
you one hundred percent. Like Isaid, it's a tradition. It doesn't
feel like Christmas unless we're seeing theTrans Siberian Orchestra. And I used to
tell Paul this story when I wouldspeak with him that I started out bringing
(05:12):
my niece when she was like sevenyears old, and you know, I
hate to see say this, butnow she's you know, twenty four years
old and she has a three yearold and they go to the show together.
So but but you know it,I just love that. I just
love that it is. You know, it's not like here's a band that
has you know, these are theirfans, and when the fans age out,
(05:33):
that'll be that. I mean,you guys really have you know,
I showed it to my niece.My niece will now show it to her
kids and that will go on andon and on because you said it.
I mean, it appeals to everyone, and it's so good. I try
to explain it, you know,like it's a Christmas story, but it's
(05:54):
you know, rocking and there's youknow, all kinds of visuals and you
gotta be there. I mean,I say, you've got to see the
Trans Siberian Orchestra, and it mustbe amazing for you guys to feel that
kind of love from people. Itis amazing. I mean, yeah,
yeah, you're right. I meanthe description of it is like incredibly long
(06:15):
winded when they're like, you know, I guess you could describe our show
like this, but really the bestway is just like go see it because
that's the only way you can reallykind of understand what asso show is.
But it's sort of like taking thetheatricality of like Andrew Lloyd Webber and you
mix that up with the rock operaelements of like I guess like Tommy from
The Who, and you got yourpink Floyd laser light show, the Pyro
(06:40):
and the moving hydraulic list of akiss show and the rock and elements of
that as well. And i'd saymix in some classical music and then of
course you've got the Christmas spirit thrownin there, and all that together kind
of is what you're getting. Butthat's like incredibly long winded and it's very
it's very hard to summarize. Sojust come see the show. That's the
best way to put it, definitely, And again I'm speaking with Joel Hopster
(07:01):
guitars for the Trans Siberian Orchestra atThe show will be here in Albany November
twenty nine. Tickets go on saleFriday ten o'clock at Ticketmaster and you know
you can win them before you canbuy them. Right here with me on
ninety eight point three try you talkedabout some of the other listen I have
to do this because I'm a geek, Joel, so forgive me. I'm
(07:23):
a huge Share fan, so Iknow that you are out on tour with
Share. That must have been alsoa pretty amazing experience. Yeah. Absolutely,
that falls into the category of oneof those things you don't see coming
in the music business. As amusician, I think if you just work
hard and everything that comes your way, sometimes life can bring you to places
(07:44):
that you're like, wow, Inever would have pictured this, but this
is incredible. Like, no waywas I eleven years old working on Black
Sabbath Ribs going someday I'm gonna playwith Share. But then you know,
the next thing you know, you'restanding on stage with her in front of
twenty five thousand people in Switzerland orwhatever, playing turn Back Time with her,
and you go, I can't believethis is happening. It's just totally
(08:05):
totally surreal. So now it's somethingthat I definitely cherish having the opportunity of
worked with her, and really Rockof Ages on Broadway falls under the same
Yeah. Yeah's something that I justnever would have seen that coming. I
wasn't a kid going I can't waitto be on Broadway someday, but life
has a funny way of working out. Yeah, and it really has worked
(08:26):
out because you've done you know,a Night Ranger and White Snake and the
list could go on and on ofyour incredible accomplishments. But you know,
we for us, especially here inthe Capitol region, and I'm sure everywhere
you play, we love having theopportunity to see you with the Trans Siberian
Orchestra because it means even more.I don't know if it's the Christmas music.
(08:46):
I don't know if it's the magic. I don't know if it's the
way that you guys put everything together, but you know, it's like what
you said in the beginning about thefans, and it just we almost feel
a little kind of ownership to you. And I'm sure that every city you
layan says that to you, butwe kind of feel that like you're part
of our own. You're one ofour own, you know, Joel Now,
(09:07):
I mean look right back out.Yeah, I mean we love that.
And every every time we visit youguys, it feels special. There
is a special energy here there.I think that's real. So very excited
to be, you know, continuingthat tradition and seeing you guys again.
You know, go ahead feel theownership. You're definitely entitled to that.
(09:31):
The support is real, We feelit, and we love you guys,
well, we love you right back. November twenty nine at the MVP Arena.
That is when we will be ableto see the Trans Siberian Orchestra.
Cannot wait. Tickets on sale Fridayten o'clock at ticketmaster dot com. We're
giving them away win him before youcan buy them right here on ninety eight
point three. Try Joel. Iknow it's early for a rock and roller.
(09:56):
I appreciate you man getting me soearly to talk to me this mor
learning and I can't wait to seeyou on the twenty nine. Thank you
so so much. Hey, rightback at you. Thank you so much
for getting the word out there.You guys have been such big supporters and
we really appreciate it. And yeah, come on out. We can't wait
to see you guys again
Man, I'm so excited this morningbecause I get to talk to one of
my favorite people who is in myvery favorite band, and that is guitarist
Joel Hochstra, who, of coursewe all know from his many trips here
to the Capitol Region as part ofthe Trans Siberian Orchestra. Good morning,
Joel, how are you. I'mdoing great. I'm doing as well as
(00:22):
a musician can be doing at thishour, you know. I mean,
it's a light to talk to you, and it's super exciting to be talking
about the Trans Siberian Orchestra tour comingto Albany. We can't wait. We
love you guys. Listen, wecan't wait either. It is truly I
mean, and I'm sure you hearthis a lot, but it is a
tradition here in the Capitol Region.I mean, this is what you do
(00:44):
at Christmas time, you go seethe Trans Siberian Orchestra. So we are
thrilled to have you back. Letme tell everybody that the date is November
twenty nine. Tickets are going onsale Friday morning at ten o'clock at ticketmaster
dot com. You don't want tomiss November twenty nine at the MVP arena.
So Joel, tell us about thistour, tell us about what we're
(01:06):
going to see from you guys,because I'll tell you just my own personal
experience. Every time I see you, it feels bigger and better than the
year before. Yeah, I meanthat certainly goes back to Paul O'Neill and
his philosophy, our founder and creatorwhen when he set out to do this,
he was the intention was to haveevery year make it bigger and better.
(01:27):
And those that haven't seen Pso,I mean the production is just like
really a jaw dropping spectacle. Imean, we have a video screen with
at the arena, We've got likea Pink Floyd laser light show. It
snows inside the arena. We've gotPyro going off and the performers on moving
hydraulic lifts out over the audience andin the back of the arena. So
(01:51):
I think, you know, ascorny as it is, there's something there
for everybody because the front half there'salways a story that occurs that the music
surrounds. That is a rock opera, if you will, And so this
year that story is the Ghost ofChristmas Eve, which is essentially like the
greatest hit, like a sort ofbest of So if you've never seen pso,
it's the great year to come checkus out for the first time.
(02:13):
I think, you know, we'vegot one hundred and four shows this year,
so it's like the Marines of Rock. We get out there and we
we hit it all in in amonth and a half because nobody wants to
go see the Christmas show on Julytwenty seven or something like that. So
we get out there and work reallyreally hard for you guys and try and
give you guys, like the absolutebest possible show we can. And it's
(02:35):
worked. I mean, here weare. Since we started, we played
over eighteen million people, and we'vegot over seven hundred and fifty million audio
video streams. It's sold over twelvemillion CDs. It's just amazing to be
a part of. And yet it'ssomething that still feels great grass roots where
we have a great connection with ourfan base. We're friends with them,
(02:58):
and so I don't know how exactit all works. It's sort of like,
I guess it's just Christmas magics,you know, I think there is
some Christmas magic. I also knowthat you guys work incredibly hard. Again,
I'm speaking with Joel Hochstra guitars forthe Trans Siberian Orchestra. Joel,
do you find you know, you'retalking about your fans and seeing them and
you know, I know from myown personal family that this is how it
(03:20):
goes. But do you see that? You know, you used to have
people who would come, and nowthose people bring their kids with them,
and you know, their grandparents withtheir kids. Have you seen that over
your time with tso of the generationsthat come, And like I said,
it's so it's like the most clicheline in the world to say there's something
in it for everybody, you know, but wait when the kids are there,
(03:44):
they're really into all the pyro andthey're into like, hey, it's
inside and everything that I just spoketo. But I think the story a
lot of times is something that appealsmaybe to the older generations, and it's
it is pretty incredible to see grandparentsand parents and the kids or grandkids out
there all seated together and everybody's gota smile on their face. Nobody looks
like they're being held hostage and kindof going like, hey, what are
(04:06):
we leave it? Why do weleave it? So it's uh, yeah,
it's just something that seems to workfor all ages, like legit,
and that's really exciting to be apart of. I love my bandmates,
you know, we got a specialbomb. We spend the holidays together every
year. Love the fan base.Have so many people that I just considered
(04:27):
be my friends in the fan base, and it just doesn't I'm honored to
be a part of. It's it'sunlike any other thing. I've played in
a lot of rock bands, andI understand that, you know that dynamic
of having the super fans, etcetera. But there's something about TSO where
that goes to the next level.You know. I jokingly refer to us
as the Grateful Dead of Christmas becausewe see everybody every year, and then
(04:50):
there's people that even follow us fromcity to city and go to the shows,
and it's just it's it's something extraspecial. Yeah, I agree with
you one hundred percent. Like Isaid, it's a tradition. It doesn't
feel like Christmas unless we're seeing theTrans Siberian Orchestra. And I used to
tell Paul this story when I wouldspeak with him that I started out bringing
(05:12):
my niece when she was like sevenyears old, and you know, I
hate to see say this, butnow she's you know, twenty four years
old and she has a three yearold and they go to the show together.
So but but you know it,I just love that. I just
love that it is. You know, it's not like here's a band that
has you know, these are theirfans, and when the fans age out,
(05:33):
that'll be that. I mean,you guys really have you know,
I showed it to my niece.My niece will now show it to her
kids and that will go on andon and on because you said it.
I mean, it appeals to everyone, and it's so good. I try
to explain it, you know,like it's a Christmas story, but it's
(05:54):
you know, rocking and there's youknow, all kinds of visuals and you
gotta be there. I mean,I say, you've got to see the
Trans Siberian Orchestra, and it mustbe amazing for you guys to feel that
kind of love from people. Itis amazing. I mean, yeah,
yeah, you're right. I meanthe description of it is like incredibly long
(06:15):
winded when they're like, you know, I guess you could describe our show
like this, but really the bestway is just like go see it because
that's the only way you can reallykind of understand what asso show is.
But it's sort of like taking thetheatricality of like Andrew Lloyd Webber and you
mix that up with the rock operaelements of like I guess like Tommy from
The Who, and you got yourpink Floyd laser light show, the Pyro
(06:40):
and the moving hydraulic list of akiss show and the rock and elements of
that as well. And i'd saymix in some classical music and then of
course you've got the Christmas spirit thrownin there, and all that together kind
of is what you're getting. Butthat's like incredibly long winded and it's very
it's very hard to summarize. Sojust come see the show. That's the
best way to put it, definitely, And again I'm speaking with Joel Hopster
(07:01):
guitars for the Trans Siberian Orchestra atThe show will be here in Albany November
twenty nine. Tickets go on saleFriday ten o'clock at Ticketmaster and you know
you can win them before you canbuy them. Right here with me on
ninety eight point three try you talkedabout some of the other listen I have
to do this because I'm a geek, Joel, so forgive me. I'm
(07:23):
a huge Share fan, so Iknow that you are out on tour with
Share. That must have been alsoa pretty amazing experience. Yeah. Absolutely,
that falls into the category of oneof those things you don't see coming
in the music business. As amusician, I think if you just work
hard and everything that comes your way, sometimes life can bring you to places
(07:44):
that you're like, wow, Inever would have pictured this, but this
is incredible. Like, no waywas I eleven years old working on Black
Sabbath Ribs going someday I'm gonna playwith Share. But then you know,
the next thing you know, you'restanding on stage with her in front of
twenty five thousand people in Switzerland orwhatever, playing turn Back Time with her,
and you go, I can't believethis is happening. It's just totally
(08:05):
totally surreal. So now it's somethingthat I definitely cherish having the opportunity of
worked with her, and really Rockof Ages on Broadway falls under the same
Yeah. Yeah's something that I justnever would have seen that coming. I
wasn't a kid going I can't waitto be on Broadway someday, but life
has a funny way of working out. Yeah, and it really has worked
(08:26):
out because you've done you know,a Night Ranger and White Snake and the
list could go on and on ofyour incredible accomplishments. But you know,
we for us, especially here inthe Capitol region, and I'm sure everywhere
you play, we love having theopportunity to see you with the Trans Siberian
Orchestra because it means even more.I don't know if it's the Christmas music.
(08:46):
I don't know if it's the magic. I don't know if it's the
way that you guys put everything together, but you know, it's like what
you said in the beginning about thefans, and it just we almost feel
a little kind of ownership to you. And I'm sure that every city you
layan says that to you, butwe kind of feel that like you're part
of our own. You're one ofour own, you know, Joel Now,
(09:07):
I mean look right back out.Yeah, I mean we love that.
And every every time we visit youguys, it feels special. There
is a special energy here there.I think that's real. So very excited
to be, you know, continuingthat tradition and seeing you guys again.
You know, go ahead feel theownership. You're definitely entitled to that.
(09:31):
The support is real, We feelit, and we love you guys,
well, we love you right back. November twenty nine at the MVP Arena.
That is when we will be ableto see the Trans Siberian Orchestra.
Cannot wait. Tickets on sale Fridayten o'clock at ticketmaster dot com. We're
giving them away win him before youcan buy them right here on ninety eight
point three. Try Joel. Iknow it's early for a rock and roller.
(09:56):
I appreciate you man getting me soearly to talk to me this mor
learning and I can't wait to seeyou on the twenty nine. Thank you
so so much. Hey, rightback at you. Thank you so much
for getting the word out there.You guys have been such big supporters and
we really appreciate it. And yeah, come on out. We can't wait
to see you guys again
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