# Splendid Radio w Josh David, Phillip Dittrick & Greg C.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqoUKEwAHsI
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/DqoUKEwAHsI

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## Quick Overview

Musician Josh David and drummer Phillip Dittrick discuss their musical journeys, influences, and the launch of "Vine and Fig Tree," an independent record label and artist platform. Josh David, known for his passionate musicianship and humanitarian spirit, co-founded Vine and Fig Tree with Jackie to empower artists to control their work and receive fair compensation, embodying the principle that "every man must get pay according to his work."

**Key Points:**
- Josh David, a passionate musician and humanitarian, co-founded "Vine and Fig Tree" with Jackie, an independent record label and artist platform, to ensure artists are paid fairly for their work, stating "every man must get pay according to his work."
- Josh David's primary musical inspiration was bassist Mike Grio, who he later collaborated with to restart the Whalers reunion, and he was deeply influenced by Jermaine Jackson's "underrated" bass playing.
- Phillip Dittrick, a drummer, was initially inspired by The Police, noting their reggae influence and the band's practice of incorporating reggae beats into their music.
- Josh David recounted an iconic moment playing bass for Q-Tip when Prince unexpectedly joined the stage, though Josh's bass was missing at the time, making him feel "unprepared for like the most important meeting."
- The discussion highlighted a decline in the "sacred language" of listening to full albums, with the host emphasizing the importance of album covers, liner notes, and lyrics for a complete musical experience.
- "Vine and Fig Tree" aims to release new music from Josh David's band Gideon Force (aka Dub Rock), John Wills, and the Judah Tribe sophomore album "Satellite Radio," alongside collaborations with artists like Baroo Hines and Carlen Davis.
- Both Josh and the host shared challenging experiences on tour buses, emphasizing that touring is not always luxurious and requires trust in drivers, with Josh noting a 2018 Whalers tour where they were "sliding down mountains of ice in blizzard cold."

**Context:** "Splendid Radio" host Greg C. interviews musicians Josh David and Phillip Dittrick, delving into their personal and professional lives. The conversation frequently highlights Josh David's profound impact on Greg, who praises Josh's character, passion, and diverse musical talents, particularly his bass playing with Q-Tip and A Tribe Called Quest. Phillip Dittrick, a drummer from Phoenix, Arizona, shares his early musical influences and experiences. The discussion provides a backdrop for understanding the motivations behind their artistic endeavors and the challenges and rewards of a life dedicated to music.

## Detailed Analysis

The "Splendid Radio" episode features a candid conversation with musician Josh David and drummer Phillip Dittrick, exploring their musical journeys, industry insights, and the launch of their new independent venture, "Vine and Fig Tree." Host Greg C. opens by praising Josh David as a "very good guy" and an "equal humanitarian as he is to his musical talents," highlighting his grounded and passionate nature. Josh shares his early bass inspiration, Mike Grio, and his admiration for Jermaine Jackson's "underrated" bass playing, recounting how Mike Grio later helped restart the Whalers reunion. Phillip reveals his foundational influence was The Police, noting their reggae and punk elements. The discussion touches on the lost art of listening to full albums, with Greg lamenting the shift towards "quick sugar high" pop culture and emphasizing the importance of album art, liner notes, and lyrics. A memorable anecdote involves Prince's surprise appearance at a Q-Tip show where Josh was playing, an iconic moment he felt "unprepared for" as his bass was missing. The conversation also covers favorite hip-hop and reggae movies, with Greg favoring "Beat Street" and "The Harder They Come," while Josh champions "Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo" and "Rockers," the latter for its realistic portrayal of reggae artists being exploited. The core of the interview revolves around "Vine and Fig Tree," Josh's brainchild with Jackie, envisioned as an independent platform for artists to control their work and receive fair compensation, based on the scripture "every man have returned to his own vine and own fig tree." This initiative includes a recording studio called "the wash" or "the tabernacle" and aims to release new music from Josh's band Gideon Force (aka Dub Rock), John Wills, and Judah Tribe's sophomore album "Satellite Radio," alongside collaborations with artists like Baroo Hines of Steel Pulse and Carlen Davis. Josh also shares spiritual insights, viewing musicians as "minstrels" working for God, and recounts challenging tour experiences, including a Whalers tour bus "sliding down mountains of ice" and the band falling ill in Vancouver, linking it to the COVID-19 pandemic's origins. The episode concludes with hypothetical biopics for both guests and their social media presence, emphasizing the collective's commitment to independent music and authentic artistic expression.

### Guest Introductions & Personal Reflections

- Host Greg C. introduces Josh David and Phillip Dittrick, praising Josh's character, passion, and musical talent, particularly his bass playing with Q-Tip
- Josh recounts meeting Greg during the 2008 Rock the Bells tour and their bond strengthening in Australia
- Greg describes Josh as a "very good guy" and an "equal humanitarian as he is to his musical talents and... spiritual aspect"

### Musical Influences & Listening Habits

- Phillip Dittrick, a drummer from Phoenix, Arizona, identifies The Police as his earliest musical influence, noting their reggae and punk elements
- Josh David's first bass inspiration was Mike Grio, who later helped him restart the Whalers reunion, and he praises Jermaine Jackson as an "underrated bass player"
- The host discusses the lost art of listening to full albums, emphasizing the importance of album covers, liner notes, and lyrics as a "sacred language"

### Iconic Music Moments & Industry Insights

- Josh recounts the memorable experience of Prince joining Q-Tip on stage during a show, an event where Josh's bass was unfortunately missing
- The host describes Steely Dan's unique recording process, where they booked studio sessions with "dopest musicians" without a final mix in mind
- Discussion on the challenges of the music industry, including the "pay to play" model and the need for artists to create their own platforms

### Favorite Movies & Cultural Touchstones

- The host's favorite hip-hop movie is "Beat Street," while Josh prefers "Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo"
- For reggae movies, the host chooses "The Harder They Come" for its underdog story and portrayal of the record industry, and Josh selects "Rockers" for its realistic depiction of reggae artists being exploited
- The Fat Boys' natural "it factor" in movies like "Disorderlies" is also highlighted

### "Vine and Fig Tree" Project & Vision

- Josh David introduces "Vine and Fig Tree," an independent record label and artist platform co-founded with Jackie, based on the scripture "every man have returned to his own vine and own fig tree," meaning artists should be paid according to their work
- The initiative includes a recording studio called "the wash" or "the tabernacle" and aims to foster collaborations among artists of "like heart and mind"
- Upcoming releases include music from Josh's band Gideon Force (aka Dub Rock), John Wills, Judah Tribe's sophomore album "Satellite Radio," and collaborations with Baroo Hines and Carlen Davis

### Spirituality, Touring & Life Lessons

- Josh shares how his faith guides him, posting scriptures daily and viewing musicians as "minstrels" who can foresee the future
- He recounts challenging tour experiences, including a Whalers tour bus "sliding down mountains of ice" in a blizzard and the band falling ill in Vancouver, linking it to the early spread of the COVID-19 virus
- The discussion emphasizes the importance of trust in tour bus drivers and the non-luxurious reality of touring life

### Hypothetical Biopics & Closing

- Phillip Dittrick suggests Chris Elliott would play him in a biopic titled "Poor Phil" or "A Day in the Life of Phil"
- Josh David envisions his biopic as "The Chronicles of Toby Ja," with a talented thespian or potentially one of his sons playing him
- The episode concludes with appreciation for the guests and promotion of their social media presence and the "Vine and Fig Tree" project