The town of Anacortes, WA was a pre/post Olympia home
to such musical veterans as Bret Lunsford of Beat
Happening. In fact, it was almost a "sister city" of
sorts. Many of the early K bands once called it home. In light
of this fact, it's no small wonder that this small port town erupted as
a breeding ground, spawning such creative genius like Phil Elvrum of the
Microphones.
It
all began when young Elvrum finds a job at The Business (Bret Lunsford's
record / book / camera store) and sets up a recording studio in the back.
He soon taught himself how to use all of the equipment and began to write
songs in the studio. These songs were transferred into recorded form and
released as cassettes on Bret's KNW-YR-OWN label, which Elvrum
had began to run as well. By this time, Elvrum had started to play drums
in Bret's band, D+. It only made sense that when D+ again returned to
Dub Narcotic Studios to record their second record, Dandelion Seeds,
Elvrum decided to make the pilgrimage to Olympia to further cultivate
his own musical pursuits.
Once in Olympia, he was able to make a big impression on Calvin Johnson at K and began recording on his own at Dub Narcotic, the product of which became the release of Tests in Jan. 1999. Released as a cassette on KNW-YR-OWN and subsequently issued as a CD on Bellingham, WA's Elsinor label, Tests compiled various cassettes as well as a few new songs from the Dub Narcotic sessions. Almost simultaneously was the release of "Bass Drum Dream", a 7" single on Seattle's Up Records, and a single on The Bedroom Label.
By
the time Tests was released, the work on Phil's second album was well
over half finished. While in the process of recording this record, Elvrum
was rapidly gaining a reputation in and around Olympia for his recording
and production skills. He soon began to work on many other projects outside
of his own to help his friends and members of his community attain their
recording goals. Next came Don't Wake Me Up,
Elvrum's second full length, and the first for K. This record was released
in August 1999 and was followed by an extensive US and Canadian tour in
September 2000 along with Mirah,
his friend and Microphones' collaborator. The two came back with many
new friends and many more smitten fans. In conjunction and in celebration
of this tour, K released the "Moon Moon"
single. These records boasted varied instrumentation along with tape loops
and feedback symphonies. Both caught the attention of many people in the
ever growing psychedelic Elephant 6 scene and indie rockers alike, proof
that Elvrum's music appealed to a wide audience, transcending the barriers
of dreamy indie pop and psych rock experimentation. Two styles of music
often found standing side by side and occasionally bumping shoulders were
finally given the chance to look each other in the eye.
Around
this same time, things were really getting moving for Elvrum's other project,
Old Time Relijun, which included
members of Olympia's electronica darlings IQU.
A new record and plans for a full European tour with a new EP to support
it began to materialize for the band, with Elvrum had performing the drumming
and production duties.
However, this did not hinder Elvrum's drive to begin work on his third and possibly most ambitious record, all in the same month. Recording for It Was Hot, We Stayed in the Water began in September 1999 and was completed in March 2000. This new album features even more diverse instrumentation and active collaboration than ever before. Many of the harmonies were developed on the spot in front of the microphone. Unknowing people in the hallway outside the studio were asked to clap, hold down keys, and even sing. The album was written almost in the style of a cinematic score with themes as diverse as "dying and rotting away to swimming around happily." Elvrum plans to continue touring, performing the Microphones stellar symphonies alternately as an ambidextrous solo outing or with the aid of Microphones contributors Khaela Maricich and Mirah Yom Tov Zeitlyn.
Now Elvrum returns with a brand new album, The Glow Pt. 2. Exploring the same weird pop fields as his previous album, this time he has ventured even further in the psychedlic sounds acheivable with the barest of instrumentation. He will also becoming over to Europe in October with and aim to play as many cities as possible.
It
all began when young Elvrum finds a job at The Business (Bret Lunsford's
record / book / camera store) and sets up a recording studio in the back.
He soon taught himself how to use all of the equipment and began to write
songs in the studio. These songs were transferred into recorded form and
released as cassettes on Bret's KNW-YR-OWN label, which Elvrum
had began to run as well. By this time, Elvrum had started to play drums
in Bret's band, D+. It only made sense that when D+ again returned to
Dub Narcotic Studios to record their second record, Dandelion Seeds,
Elvrum decided to make the pilgrimage to Olympia to further cultivate
his own musical pursuits.Once in Olympia, he was able to make a big impression on Calvin Johnson at K and began recording on his own at Dub Narcotic, the product of which became the release of Tests in Jan. 1999. Released as a cassette on KNW-YR-OWN and subsequently issued as a CD on Bellingham, WA's Elsinor label, Tests compiled various cassettes as well as a few new songs from the Dub Narcotic sessions. Almost simultaneously was the release of "Bass Drum Dream", a 7" single on Seattle's Up Records, and a single on The Bedroom Label.
By
the time Tests was released, the work on Phil's second album was well
over half finished. While in the process of recording this record, Elvrum
was rapidly gaining a reputation in and around Olympia for his recording
and production skills. He soon began to work on many other projects outside
of his own to help his friends and members of his community attain their
recording goals. Next came Don't Wake Me Up,
Elvrum's second full length, and the first for K. This record was released
in August 1999 and was followed by an extensive US and Canadian tour in
September 2000 along with Mirah,
his friend and Microphones' collaborator. The two came back with many
new friends and many more smitten fans. In conjunction and in celebration
of this tour, K released the "Moon Moon"
single. These records boasted varied instrumentation along with tape loops
and feedback symphonies. Both caught the attention of many people in the
ever growing psychedelic Elephant 6 scene and indie rockers alike, proof
that Elvrum's music appealed to a wide audience, transcending the barriers
of dreamy indie pop and psych rock experimentation. Two styles of music
often found standing side by side and occasionally bumping shoulders were
finally given the chance to look each other in the eye.Around
this same time, things were really getting moving for Elvrum's other project,
Old Time Relijun, which included
members of Olympia's electronica darlings IQU.
A new record and plans for a full European tour with a new EP to support
it began to materialize for the band, with Elvrum had performing the drumming
and production duties. However, this did not hinder Elvrum's drive to begin work on his third and possibly most ambitious record, all in the same month. Recording for It Was Hot, We Stayed in the Water began in September 1999 and was completed in March 2000. This new album features even more diverse instrumentation and active collaboration than ever before. Many of the harmonies were developed on the spot in front of the microphone. Unknowing people in the hallway outside the studio were asked to clap, hold down keys, and even sing. The album was written almost in the style of a cinematic score with themes as diverse as "dying and rotting away to swimming around happily." Elvrum plans to continue touring, performing the Microphones stellar symphonies alternately as an ambidextrous solo outing or with the aid of Microphones contributors Khaela Maricich and Mirah Yom Tov Zeitlyn.
Now Elvrum returns with a brand new album, The Glow Pt. 2. Exploring the same weird pop fields as his previous album, this time he has ventured even further in the psychedlic sounds acheivable with the barest of instrumentation. He will also becoming over to Europe in October with and aim to play as many cities as possible.