I wanted to post this “introduction to Phil Elverum and the music of Microphones and Mount Eerie” that was written by my pal Jeremy Bartel. I also want to brag that I once played in the Microphones during a show at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood. It was an interesting set where Phil asked some of my bandmates and me to sit in as his band. He wrote out the chord changes and just told us to follow him. Anyway, onto “Phil Elverum 101.”

Some of you may or may not know my undying love for the band Mount Eerie. “Band” is a loose term, because it’s actually just one lone man, Phil Elverum (with a handful of on and off collaborators). Anyway, I first stumbled upon Phil Elverum when he was under the moniker “The Microphones” and my music preferences split into two categories:

1. Phil Elverum

2. Everyone else

I think Phil Elverum may be one of the most original artists working today and it can be initially daunting trying to connect to the world he’s created in his music. There aren’t any real reference points to who he sounds like or who his influences may have been, but once you’re immersed in his world, it’s addicting. You’re surrounded by tall trees and dreary skies at the foot of a mountain, wishing you could climb. The moniker “Mount Eerie” is a reference to the actual Mount Eerie in Annacortes, WA and often serves as his landscape of metaphor. “I can only love these dark hills, because I live in the day”.

Anyway, Mount Eerie has a new album out, “Wind’s Poem” and it’s incredible. In honor of the release I want to give a little Phil Elverum 101 where to start.

Under “The Microphones” moniker:

Album : It Was Hot, We Stayed In the Water

Key Tracks: The Pull, Ice, Karl Blau, Between Your Ear and the Other Ear

Album: The Glow Pt. 2 (Phil has many “Pt. 2’s”. Continuations and evolutions of songs and ideas).

Key Tracks: I Want Wind to Blow, the Moon, Headless Horseman, the Mansion, instrumental, I Felt Your Shape (If you purchase an entire album, this is the one. Every song is incredible).

Album: Mount Eerie (the first incarnation of Mount Eerie, which is a Microphones album).

Key Tracks: Hard to say, the album is one big concept and should be listened to in one sitting, without distraction, preferably on a mountain or by a lake or in the air. The album has about as many songs as an EP, but is longer than most LP’s. But if you want one recommendation, its’ gotta be “IV. Mt. Eerie”. That song was conceived in Heaven and mix and mastered in Hell. It’s a glorious tangent on a very heavy journey.

Under “Mount Eerie” moniker

Album: No Flashlight

Key Tracks: I Know No One, No Inside No Out, Stop Singing, The Universe Is Shown, (2 Moons)

Album: Lost Wisdom

Key Tracks: Voice In Headphones, You Swan Go On, What?, Grave Robbers

Album: Mount Eerie Pts. 6 & 7

Key Tracks: This is much like “Mount Eerie” under The Microphones moniker, all the songs run together and create a giant idea, but “Unknown World” is a stand out.

Album: Wind’s Poem

Key Tracks: My Heart Is Not At Peace, Summons, Between Two Mysteries, Ancient Questions

Phil Elverum being as prolific as he is has released an endless amount of material. A lot of songs have been recorded twice in different ways and there are the songs that only exist in the “live” format. I haven’t listed every album, but I think I’ve given you a pretty good start.

I’m hoping for a kindred spirit out there.

“I’ll Shut Up”

I know I’ve been preachy
I’ve boasted and I’ve bragged
I’ve gone on and on and on
Waving my tongue like a flag
About how brave it is
To face the shadows like I’ve done
Condescendingly
I said, “Do this, do that, my son”
But I’ll no longer try in vain
To share what cannot be said
I won’t spoil it
I’ll no longer describe the thing to death
Just look at my face and know me
Feel my hand on your shoulder
And know me