This morning I was taking a stroll though Hollywood (don’t ask why) when a transient man in a large green army jacket approached me and asked if I had an extra cigarette. I remember he had this big black trash bag that he carried over his shoulder and his tired face was covered by a thick, dark beard- for a second I thought he was the drummer for a really hip indie band on Merge Records. Turns out he was just a transient though.

I told him ‘sorry, I don’t smoke’ and he just continued on his way as if he had never even stopped. I thought that was really badass and cavalier of him.

Later on in the day I stumbled across yet another transient, however, this time instead of bumming a smoke off me, he invited me to his alleyway and played a beautiful song for me on his guitar which he plugged into a tiny, fuzzed out amp and strummed like a crazy man. The song was about the perils of smoking and how there is no excuse to get into the nasty habit. I thought, ‘wow, this bum’s got skills’.

The song, oddly enough, was called ‘Don’t Smoke’ and the man’s name, even more oddly, was Phil Elverum.

Yes, it is true. Phil Elverum, the man behind the Eerie of Mount, has resurrected the legendary Microphones monicker for a brand new mini-record called Don’t Smoke/Get Off the Internet. No, he isn’t playing free shows in an alleyway dressed as a bum, but that would be awesome if he was. I’m sure it would make for an interesting bio at the very least.

Anyway, ‘Don’t Smoke’ sounds a lot like what you’d hear off the Glow Pt. 2 which means it’s pretty good. Elverum is selling the 7″ on his own website P.W. Elverum and Sun for 7 dollars (shipping to US) so head on over and buy it. In a few years it will be a collector’s item and you can show it off to your nerdy indie friends.

[mp3] The Microphones – Don’t Smoke
[buy] The Microphones – Don’t Smoke/Get Off the Internet 7″ @ pwelverumandsun.com