Music lovers often imagine what it’d be like to perform on stage with their rock favorites, but producer Andrew Watt got the opportunity to do just that earlier this year when he joined Pearl Jam for their Ohana Festival performances and rocked their legendary song “Alive.”
In an interview with Billboard, he stated, “Watt recalls, “I used to go to Pearl Jam concerts with a sign that said, ‘Let me play the guitar solo to ‘Alive,’” and I found myself onstage at the Ohana Festival playing the guitar solo to ‘Alive’ with Pearl Jam. So it’s just an actual full-circle, unbelievable moment that I feel like I’ve been ready for my whole life. It’s not supposed to happen like that — you’re not supposed to have those posters on your wall and be in the position where you’re creating with those people.”
In addition to playing with the band live, Watt is also producing Vedder’s upcoming solo album, Earthling, due out February 11, 2022.
Reflecting on the experience of working with his childhood idol, Watt states, “We just had the most amazing experience. I’ve known Ed for about 10 years, and we kept in touch and started making music together, and Chad and Josh from the Peppers were very involved. We just had a ball together, laughing and hanging out, popping beers and making the kind of music that we all love.”
“I’m so excited for everyone to hear it,” Watt says about the record. “We’re just finishing up the mixes and stuff, and I’m just really excited.” Adding, “I don’t want to say too much besides, just to hear his voice in front of me, and get to play guitar and bass under that? It’s like a celebration.” According to Watt, he has been placing the very last touches on the document with mixes and extra details.
Earthling is due to be released on February 12, you can preorder here
