The Microphones is an American indie rock band from Olympia, Washington, primarily known for its lo-fi recording aesthetic and the powerful, explorative songwriting of its sole constant member, Phil Elverum. Founded in 1996, The Microphones began as one of many recording projects Elverum took on during his early years, which included an assortment of self-released cassettes and vinyl recordings. The project gained more structured form as Elverum released a body of work on the K Records label, starting with the album “Tests” in 1998.

The band's sound is characterized by layered instrumentation, distorted analog recordings, and thematic preoccupations with natural settings and existential ponderings. The Microphones reached a broader audience with the release of “The Glow, Pt. 2” in 2001, an album that has since been celebrated as a cornerstone of indie folk and lo-fi music, featuring acoustically rich songs that delve into personal introspection. Other notable releases include “It Was Hot, We Stayed in the Water” (2000) and “Mount Eerie” (2003), which marked the end of The Microphones as Elverum transitioned into releasing music under the new name Mount Eerie—a project that continues to evoke the spirit of The Microphones while expanding on its sonic and thematic universe. Despite a changing moniker, the essence of The Microphones' craft remains forever rooted in Elverum’s singular vision, marked by its intimate and deeply resonant recordings.

Genres

Experimental Rock

Indie Rock

Lo-fi

Noise Pop

Olympia Wa Indie

Shoegaze

Slacker Rock

Related Artists

Bon Iver

Sufjan Stevens

Mount Eerie

Fleet Foxes

Iron & Wine

Bright Eyes

The National

Elliott Smith

Joanna Newsom

Phoenix

Death Cab for Cutie

Neutral Milk Hotel

Latest Release

Early Tapes 1996 - 1998

The Microphones

Album - 16 Tracks - Released December 9, 2016