Andy Frasco's Evolution & Festival Tales - High Sierra Music Festival (Part 1)

Author: Mount Tam Media
Published: Tue 09 Sep 2025
Episode Link: https://share.transistor.fm/s/9061e183

Fresh off a wild set at the legendary High Sierra Music Festival, Andy Frasco - bandleader, podcaster, and all-around force of nature - kicks back with the hosts for a candid, hilarious, and heartfelt conversation recorded right on the Plumas-Sierra County Fairgrounds.

Andy opens up about:

The magic of High Sierra and why community and family matter at festivals
His leap into music (inspired by piano teacher Holly Bowling) and how he built a career from scratch
Lessons learned from overcoming excess and finding purpose in writing songs that matter
Mentorship from legends like Dave Schools, Vince Herman, and George Porter Jr.
His podcast, where raw conversations with seasoned musicians fuel inspiration for the next generation

Equal parts levity and real talk, this episode is a love letter to live music culture and a reminder of why it’s worth preserving.

Long live High Sierra!

HIGHLIGHTS

“ Long live High Sierra.!” This is bigger than us. This festival, the idea of this festival is important…. families come together, music is being made, kids laughing, smiling, families laughing and smiling. You don't see that anymore. People camping. That's why we gotta keep these things sacred …that's my goal.
-Andy Frasco on the greatness of High Sierra Music Festival.

I stopped writing songs to make everyone happy. And I started writing songs to make me happy. You can't preach happiness unless you're happy with yourself. And I'm finally in a spot where I'm good with myself.
-Andy Frasco on his approach to writing songs and the good place he is in.

It doesn't matter, when you start loving yourself, you just gotta love yourself. Even if you're 60, even if you're 70. Even if you're 10,. We gotta remember when we were seven years old. on the fucking swings, eating some ice cream, laughing by yourself, you know? That's it. We gotta get back to that. You have to get that feeling.
-Andy Frasco on the importance of loving yourself.

MUSIC

2025 Album - "Growing Pains" - Andy Frasco & The U.N.
Andy Frasco & The U.N. - "Life is Easy" ft. Billy Strings, Steve Poltz, Daniel Donato & Mike Gordon
Andy Frasco & The U.N. (feat Little Stranger) - Oh, What A Life (Official Video)

UPCOMING SHOWS/"GROWING PAINS" TOUR (as of day of episode drop) TICKET LINKS

SEP 9, 2025 - "Hot Summer Nights" – Vail, CO (Free Show)

SEP 10, 2025 - “The Gaslight Social” – Casper, WY

SEP 11, 2025 - The Commonwealth Room – Salt Lake City, UT

SEP 12 – 14, 2025 – Telluride Blues & Brews Festival – Telluride, CO

SEP 18, 2025 – “Healing Appalachia” – Ashland, KY

SEP 26 – 27, 2025 – Holy Smokes Festival – Garrettsville, OH

OCT 2, 2025 – The Livery – Benton Harbor, MI

OCT 3, 2025 – Moontown Brewery – Whitestown, IN

OCT 4, 2025 – Kenny’s Westside Pub – Peoria, IL