Holly Bowling, the pianist who has transformed our favorite Grateful Dead and Phish songs into gorgeous piano masterpieces, has hit the road this later summer. Holly isn’t a stranger to the road, but this tour is unlike anything she (or anyone else for that matter) has ever done.

Bowling kicked off her tour entitled The Wilderness Sessions today at Lake Tahoe. While Holly’s muse Phish and other big acts perform at Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harveys, Holly has chosen quite a different venue. High above the crystal waters of Lake Tahoe, Holly, her dog and her keyboard set up shop for an hour of Grateful Dead and Phish tunes in one of the most stunning locations in the United States.

In this Wilderness Sessions project, Holly has found an equal to her piano compositions—mother nature. As Holly described in the session’s notes, “It was the first time in six months that I’d played outside of my living room and been further than a few miles from home. The first time all year that I felt the wind on my face and the heat of the sun while sitting at my keyboard; squinting up at an impossibly blue sky – the hallmark of summer shows – the way August is supposed to feel. While initially strange to play to an empty space, it was amazing to be surrounded by nature and just play.”

Thanks to Holly Bowling for the truly beautiful music and footage. Looking forward to many more of these Wilderness Sessions!