The Antlers (band)

The Antlers
The Antlers performing at Neumos in Seattle, Washington on May 5, 2010
Background information
Origin	Brooklyn, New York, United States
Genres	Indie rock, folk, dream pop, post-rock
Years active	2006–present
Labels	Fall Records, Frenchkiss Records, Transgressive Records, ANTI-
Website	www.antlersmusic.com
Members	Peter Silberman Michael Lerner Darby Cicci

The Antlers is an American indie rock band based in Brooklyn, New York. The band’s lyrics are written and sung by Peter Silberman. Their music is composed and performed by Silberman, Darby Cicci (trumpet, upright/electric bass, keyboards, synths, vocals) and Michael Lerner (drums). The instrumentation consists of vocals, electric guitar, keyboards/synths, drums and an array of other instruments including piano, horns, strings, and electronic elements.^[1] Silberman has said that the band's name is taken from The Microphones' song, "Antlers".

History

Early history (Uprooted and In The Attic Of The Universe 2006-2007)

Initially, The Antlers was a solo project created by vocalist and guitarist Peter Silberman immediately after he had moved to Brooklyn, New York City.^[2] Silberman’s first album, Uprooted, contained nine songs which he wrote and recorded himself. It was self-released in 2006. The follow-up album In the Attic of the Universe was also written and recorded by Silberman. It was released in November 2007 on Fall Records.

Cold War and New York Hospitals (2007)

After the release of In the Attic of the Universe Silberman recorded two EP’s entitled Cold War and New York Hospitals, the latter featuring Michael Lerner and Sharon Van Etten as guests. Shortly thereafter, Michael Lerner and Darby Cicci came on board transforming The Antlers into a collaborative group.

Hospice (2009)

The Antlers’ third full-length album, Hospice, marked the beginning of the project’s shift from Silberman’s solo project into its full-band incarnation, featuring significant contributions from Lerner and Cicci, as well as guest vocals by Sharon Van Etten.^[3] The band self-released the album in March 2009, selling out all of the quantities in stock. They later signed with New York-based label Frenchkiss Records, who released a re-mastered version of Hospice on August 18, 2009.^[4] Silberman has described 'Hospice' as the story of an emotionally abusive relationship, told through the analogy of a hospice worker and a terminally-ill patient.^[5] The album received critical praise for both its narrative and musicianship, and has since been listed on several "Album of the Year" lists.^[6] The artwork for the album was designed by Zan Goodman.

Burst Apart and (together) EP (2011)

In 2011 The Antlers released their fourth studio album Burst Apart on May 10 through Frenchkiss Records in the United States and on May 9 through Transgressive Records in the UK, Europe and Japan. The album was met with mostly positive reviews from musical publications and was regarded as a successful growth from their previous release ‘Hospice’.^[7][8][9] The record received praise from well-regarded publications such as New York Times, The Guardian, Under The Radar, and Pitchfork who gave it the endorsement of their ‘Best New Music’ category. The artwork for Burst Apart was designed by Darby Cicci and Zan Goodman.

On November 22, The Antlers released an EP entitled (together). The 8 song EP consists of remixes, and alternate versions of songs from ‘Burst Apart’. The EP features collaborations with a number of different artists including Bear in Heaven, Neon Indian, and Nicole Atkins. Along with the alternate versions from Burst Apart, the EP also features a cover of The XX’s “VCR”, a remix by PVT, and a new song featuring Cicci on vocals. The artwork for this EP was designed by Darby Cicci.

Undersea EP (2012)

On July 24, 2012, The Antlers released a four song EP entitled Undersea on ANTI- in the U.S. and Transgressive Records in the UK/Europe. This 4 song EP has been described by the band as an imitation of “the serenity of drifting off to sleep or sinking to the bottom of the ocean.”^[10] The record received widespread critical acclaim, with Pitchfork stating that the band’s “mutually reliant interplay has never been stronger than it is here.”^[11] Darby Cicci designed the artwork for the EP.

Familiars (2014)

The band’s 5th full-length studio album entitled Familiars was released on June 17, 2014 via ANTI- in the U.S. and Transgressive in the U.K./Europe. The album was recorded and produced by the band in their Brooklyn based studio, and mixed by Chris Coady. On March 31, 2014, after releasing a cryptic video teaser the week prior, the band announced the release of the nine-track album along with a music video to the album’s first single “Palace”. The video was directed by Hana Tajima. Darby Cicci designed the artwork for the album.

Familiars has received rave reviews from publications such as Rolling Stone, who commented that “Familiars finds the Antlers on a new, magnificent level of heavy songwriting.” ^[12] Many critics alluded to the growth of The Antler's artistic approach on the album. MOJO called the work "another existentially-minded beauty...turning agony into something approaching ecstasy." Loud and Quiet commented on the record's success: "Slow-burning, poised and richly beautiful... The Antlers have been responsible for a handful of the most soul-shifting moments in guitar-based indie rock over the last few years, and this should see the band cement their place in the genre's upper echelons."^[13]

Members

• Peter Silberman – vocals, guitar, harmonica, harp, accordion, keyboards
• Michael Lerner – drums, percussion
• Darby Cicci – keyboards, synthesizers, organ, bass, vocals, trumpet, bowed banjo

Additional members

• Justin Stivers – bass guitar on Hospice
• Timothy Mislock - bass guitar, guitar (touring)

Festivals and performances

In 2014, The Antlers performed at MusicfestNW and Hellow Festival in Monterrey, Mexico. In 2013, The Antlers performed at such festivals as First City Festival, Festival Centro in Colombia, and Formoz Festival in Taipei. In 2012, they performed at Bonnaroo, Lowlands, All Tomorrow’s Parties, Untapped, End Of The Road Festival, Pukkelpop in Belgium, OFF in Poland, and many others. Prior to this, the band performed at Austin City Limits festival, Sasquatch, and Great Escape in 2011, and Primavera Sound Festival, Osheaga Festival, and Lollapalooza in 2010.^[14] They also toured in support of The National for a number of dates in June 2010.

In Fall 2015, The Antlers ended a worldwide tour in support of Familiars. The tour began in June 2014 with performances across the U.S., Europe and Australia. Some of these performances included the Perth International Arts Festival, Arcosanti, and Standon Calling. The Antlers joined Death Cab for Cutie on tour in 2015, as well as a handful of dates with Spoon.

Television appearances

The Antlers appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on June 23, 2011 performing their song “Every Night My Teeth Are Falling Out” from the album ‘Burst Apart’. They also appeared on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on September 6, 2011, performing the song "I Don't Want Love" also from ‘Burst Apart’.^[15]

Soundtrack

• "Kettering" from Hospice has been used several times in film and television, including in episode one from the first season of the Netflix show Sense8, in a scene starring Joseph Mawle as Nyx and Tuppence Middleton as Riley Blue; in the 2014 Sundance Film Festival indie film Camp X-Ray, in a scene starring Kristen Stewart as Cole and Peyman Moaadi as Ali; in episode 10 from season one of The CW post-apocalyptic series The 100 ; in episode 13 of Season 3 of Chuck; and across the closing scene of the first season of AMC's spin-off series Fear the Walking Dead.
• "Drift Dive" from the Undersea EP is featured in the 2015 film The Age of Adaline, in a scene starring Blake Lively as Adaline and Michiel Huisman as Ellis.
• "Rolled Together" from Burst Apart was played in the closing scene of episode fifteen from the second season of the USA Network show, Suits.
• "Corsicana" from Burst Apart was featured in episode three from the fourth season of the USA Network show Suits.

Discography

Studio albums

Live albums

• In London (2015)

EPs

• February Tape (2006)
• Cold War (2007)
• New York Hospitals (2008)
• (together) (2011)
• Undersea US No. 186 (ANTI-, July 24, 2012)^[22]

Singles

• "Two" (June 22, 2009)
• "Bear" (November 16, 2009)
• "Sylvia" (March 22, 2010)
• "Drift Dive" (June 26, 2012)
• "Palace" (March 31, 2014)
• "Hotel" (May 5, 2014)

Music videos

Album credits

Familiars (2014)

Written and produced by The Antlers

Peter Silberman: vocals, guitar Darby Cicci: trumpet, upright/electric bass, piano, rhodes, synths, organ, vocals Michael Lerner: drums, percussion

Additional Musicians: Brent Arnold: cello (tracks 2, 6, 9) Andrew Dunn: trombone (tracks 2, 9) Timmy Mislock: guitar (tracks 5, 6) Jon Natchez: trombone (tracks 4, 6, 8), euphonium, tuba, bari/tenor sax

Lyrics by Peter Silberman All songs published by Distressor Songs (BMI), Dead Birds Fly in Reverse (BMI), Zip and Fly (ASCAP)

Engineered by Darby Cicci and Peter Silberman at Antlercorp Studios, Brooklyn Mixed by Chris Coady at DNA Downtown Studios Additional engineering by David Tolomei Mastered by Joe Lambert

Photography/Design by Darby Cicci Cover photography by Louise Lemercier

Undersea (2012)

Written and produced by The Antlers

Peter Silberman: vocals, guitars, harp Darby Cicci: synths, piano, bass, trumpet, vocals Michael Lerner: drums, percussion

Additional Musicians: Tim Mislock: guitar on “Drift Dive”

Lyrics by Peter Silberman Engineered by Darby Cicci Recorded at Antlercorp Studios, Brooklyn Mixed by The Antlers and Daniel Seiders Mastered by Joe Lambert Artwork/design by Darby Cicci

All songs published by Distressor Songs (BMI), Dead Birds Fly In Reverse (BMI), Zip and Fly (ASCAP)

Burst Apart (2011)

Peter Silberman: vocals, lyrics, guitar, mandolin, organ Darby Cicci: synthesizers, electric pianos, organ, bass, vocals, trumpet, banjo Michael Lerner: Drums, percussion

Engineered by Darby Cicci Mixed by The Antlers and Dan Seiders Mastered by Greg Calbi, Sterling Sound

Cover design by Zan Goodman and Darby Cicci Cover photo by Justin Hollar

Hospice (2009)

Peter Silberman – vocals, guitar, accordion, harmonica, harp, keyboards Darby Cicci – trumpet, bowed banjo Michael Lerner – drums, percussion Justin Stivers – bass Sharon Van Etten – vocals on "Kettering," "Thirteen," "Two," and "Shiva"

Recorded at Watcher's Woods, Brooklyn Mastered by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound Original release mastered by Timothy Stollenwerk

Artwork by Zan Goodman Design by Darby Cicci

References

External links

• Official website