In 2004, Elverum abandoned the "Microphones" name to begin recording as Mount Eerie, briefly returning in December 2007 when he began selling a new 7" single by the Microphones ("Don't Smoke" / "Get Off the Internet") on his website and at concerts.
In 2020, Elverum returned to the Microphones name once more to release the project's 14th album Microphones in 2020. Microphones members/collaborators include Karl Blau, Dennis Driscoll, Kyle Field aka Little Wings, Mirah, Khaela Maricich aka The Blow, Adrian Orange aka Thanksgiving, Adam Forkner and K Records' founder, Calvin Johnson of Beat Happening and the Halo Benders.
Antlers
The Microphones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Little bird, I've got branches above my head
Sway with me aimlessly, walk over mountains high
Find winter nights with me, hang in your hammock high over me and over flight and all fright to me
Pick up your hands and become reindeers or maybe a storm
Be pleasant be glassy be born
Go ahead be the bird in my horns
on this journey into the lyrical depth of The Microphones' Antlers. The song is a poetic masterpiece and can be interpreted in multiple ways, but here's what it means to me. The first two lines of the song are an invitation to a little bird to build a nest. This could symbolize the human desire for companionship and the need for a safe and secure space. The branches above the head signify the protection that the bird can receive from the bigger and stronger entity - perhaps the singer himself or nature in general.
As the song progresses, the songwriter expresses his longing to have the bird beside him always. He invites the bird to walk aimlessly with him and explore the highest of mountains. Winter nights represent darkness and loneliness that people often experience, and the writer wants the bird to find comfort with him in such situations. The idea of hanging in a hammock over the writer could be a metaphor for emotional dependability or trust.
The writer then urges the bird to become anything - a reindeer, a storm, or anything else that it wants. This suggests that the writer is open to accepting the bird's uniqueness and individuality. Finally, the writer asks the bird to be the bird in his horns, which once again depicts the relationship between a protector and the protected. In a nutshell, Antlers is a beautiful and heartfelt song about finding love, companionship, and understanding in someone, even if that someone is a little bird.
Line by Line Meaning
Little bird I invite you, build your nest
Come with me and make your home in my tree
Little bird, I've got branches above my head
I offer you shelter, protection and safety
Sway with me aimlessly, walk over mountains high
Let's wander together without any direction
Find winter nights with me, hang in your hammock high over me and over flight and all fright to me
Explore the snowy nights and rest above me without any apprehension
Pick up your hands and become reindeers or maybe a storm
Transform yourself into a majestic creature or a raging tempest
Be pleasant be glassy be born
Experience beauty, clarity and new beginnings
Go ahead be the bird in my horns
Embrace your freedom and soar with me in my world.
Contributed by Mila E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.