--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Even when I was calling myself the…" description: "\"Even when I was calling myself the Microphones I only really ever played new songs... because I feel, like, a pretty strong connection to the song when..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79f/phil-elverum-6384_connection_even-when-i-was-calling-myself-the-micro_2037616.jpg" --- # Even when I was calling myself the Microphones I only… ![“Even when I was calling myself the Microphones I only really ever played new songs... because I feel, like, a pretty strong connection to the song when I'm performing it.” quote by Phil Elverum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79f/phil-elverum-6384_connection_even-when-i-was-calling-myself-the-micro_2037616.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79f/phil-elverum-6384_connection_even-when-i-was-calling-myself-the-micro_2037616.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79f/phil-elverum-6384_connection_even-when-i-was-calling-myself-the-micro_2037616.jpg) > “Even when I was calling myself the Microphones I only really ever played new songs... because I feel, like, a pretty strong connection to the song when I'm performing it.” [Phil Elverum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-elverum/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The artist feels a deep personal connection to new material, emphasizing authenticity in performance over fame. **In simple terms:** Musician feels strong bond with new songs. Key Takeaway Perform with genuine connection to the music. Themes creativity authenticity performance artistry Mood introspective inspired thoughtful Type quote philosophical When to use this quote - live concert - studio recording - songwriting session Key Concepts musical expression personal identity audience engagement Questions to Reflect On - How does authenticity affect audience reception? - Can you sustain this connection over time? A Different Perspective Focusing on connection may limit commercial appeal. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Connection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/connection/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Strong connection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strong-connection/) ## Related quotes > [That's the thing about Taylor's music. When one of her songs lands in a specific place in your life, it feels like you're the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gracie-abrams/that-s-the-thing-about-taylor-s-music-when-one-of-her-songs-lands-in/) [Gracie Abrams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gracie-abrams/) > [The thing that will never go away is that connection you make with a band or a song where you're moved by the fact…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-grohl/the-thing-that-will-never-go-away-is-that-connection-you-make-with-a/) [Dave Grohl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-grohl/) > [I obviously have a different connection to each song in a different way, and they all mean something different to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-martinez/i-obviously-have-a-different-connection-to-each-song-in-a-different/) [Melanie Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-martinez/) > [Lilith Fair was a great experience for us the first time we played it. We were... not a new band, but a new band…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martie-maguire/lilith-fair-was-a-great-experience-for-us-the-first-time-we-played-it/) [Martie Maguire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martie-maguire/) > [We played New Year's Eve in Los Angeles, maybe 1978, opening for Kansas or somebody. Driving to the hotel after the gig, we came…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-nielsen/we-played-new-year-s-eve-in-los-angeles-maybe-1978-opening-for-kansas/) [Rick Nielsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-nielsen/) > [First time we played in New York was in 2013. It was all very eye-opening. A very bright lights, big-city sort of vibe, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-mayberry/first-time-we-played-in-new-york-was-in-2013-it-was-all-very-eye/) [Lauren Mayberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-mayberry/) > [New Year's was insane! It was the best show I've ever played for New Year's.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/les-claypool/new-year-s-was-insane-it-was-the-best-show-i-ve-ever-played-for-new/) [Les Claypool](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/les-claypool/) > [I knew I could play well on the grass, but I really played so well today. I knew exactly what I had to play…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/petra-kvitova/i-knew-i-could-play-well-on-the-grass-but-i-really-played-so-well/) [Petra Kvitova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/petra-kvitova/) > [And when they played they really played. And when they worked they really worked.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-seuss/and-when-they-played-they-really-played-and-when-they-worked-they/) [Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-seuss/) > [I never really played in an empty gym before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-carter-williams/i-never-really-played-in-an-empty-gym-before/) [Michael Carter-Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-carter-williams/) > [I've always loved music, but I never really played anything. After 'Walk the Line' and learning to play guitar, and having that sense of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/i-ve-always-loved-music-but-i-never-really-played-anything-after-walk/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [I played music practically my entire life. But the first time I ever really played music was with John and Robby and Jim That's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-manzarek/i-played-music-practically-my-entire-life-but-the-first-time-i-ever/) [Ray Manzarek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-manzarek/) > [I didn't grow up being a performer, really. I played baseball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morgan-wallen/i-didn-t-grow-up-being-a-performer-really-i-played-baseball/) [Morgan Wallen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morgan-wallen/) > [At the end of the touring on Bitte, looking back on all that stuff, I feel really proud of having written that music and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-longstreth/at-the-end-of-the-touring-on-bitte-looking-back-on-all-that-stuff-i/) [David Longstreth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-longstreth/) > [When he worked, he really worked. But when he played, he really PLAYED.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-seuss/when-he-worked-he-really-worked-but-when-he-played-he-really-played/) [Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-seuss/) ## More by Phil Elverum > [I like the experience being in the audience and being overwhelmed by sound, like thick, oppressive loud sound and distortion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-elverum/i-like-the-experience-being-in-the-audience-and-being-overwhelmed-by/) [Phil Elverum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-elverum/) > [I want to not be associated with death or cancer, I don't want that life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-elverum/i-want-to-not-be-associated-with-death-or-cancer-i-don-t-want-that/) [Phil Elverum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-elverum/) > [They're all true - the cliches like 'one day at time' and 'ups and downs.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-elverum/they-re-all-true-the-cliches-like-one-day-at-time-and-ups-and-downs/) [Phil Elverum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-elverum/) > [A weird side effect of being in close proximity to death is an urgency.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-elverum/a-weird-side-effect-of-being-in-close-proximity-to-death-is-an-urgency/) [Phil Elverum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-elverum/) > [I like Copenhagen, just because my shows there have been really good for some reason. Not that I love the city itself, but every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-elverum/i-like-copenhagen-just-because-my-shows-there-have-been-really-good/) [Phil Elverum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-elverum/) > [My exposure to independent music was via Nirvana and grunge so I'd never gotten into punk. I don't really like that music of Crass,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-elverum/my-exposure-to-independent-music-was-via-nirvana-and-grunge-so-i-d/) [Phil Elverum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-elverum/) > [I feel like I spend most of my time in a state of writer's block! When things do come out, they come out quickly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-elverum/i-feel-like-i-spend-most-of-my-time-in-a-state-of-writer-s-block-when/) [Phil Elverum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-elverum/) > [It's a beautiful idea to focus on how everything is temporary and always in flux. It may feel bad now, but it will feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-elverum/it-s-a-beautiful-idea-to-focus-on-how-everything-is-temporary-and/) [Phil Elverum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-elverum/) > [My grandpa is the funniest person in the world, straight up. But mostly everyone in my family groans when he is 'on.' I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-elverum/my-grandpa-is-the-funniest-person-in-the-world-straight-up-but-mostly/) [Phil Elverum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-elverum/) > [Usually I work at the merch table until one minute before I have to go on stage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-elverum/usually-i-work-at-the-merch-table-until-one-minute-before-i-have-to/) [Phil Elverum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-elverum/) > [All the books on my shelves, when I would go to them to look for help with my anguish, they all just seemed so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-elverum/all-the-books-on-my-shelves-when-i-would-go-to-them-to-look-for-help/) [Phil Elverum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-elverum/) > [I wanted to make a record that would transcend the bad, hard feelings of a love relationship not working out, to make something that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-elverum/i-wanted-to-make-a-record-that-would-transcend-the-bad-hard-feelings/) [Phil Elverum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-elverum/) > [I sometimes think about the life that my daughter will have with no mom. What does it mean to have a ghost mom? Not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-elverum/i-sometimes-think-about-the-life-that-my-daughter-will-have-with-no/) [Phil Elverum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-elverum/) > [Every tour is different. Sometimes I'll get a band together and sometimes it's just me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-elverum/every-tour-is-different-sometimes-i-ll-get-a-band-together-and/) [Phil Elverum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-elverum/) > [In the early '50s, my great-grandmother and grandfather raised a baby gorilla named Bobo who wore clothes and played with the neighborhood kids.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-elverum/in-the-early-50s-my-great-grandmother-and-grandfather-raised-a-baby/) [Phil Elverum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-elverum/) [Explore all 99 Phil Elverum quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-elverum/) ## More Connection quotes > [I guess at it's very core love is connection that just makes so much sense you wonder how you used to live before you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-stone/i-guess-at-it-s-very-core-love-is-connection-that-just-makes-so-much/) [Benjamin Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-stone/) > [I believe that we have a huge problem with the water in America. We don't want to make that connection that these chemicals, at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-brockovich/i-believe-that-we-have-a-huge-problem-with-the-water-in-america-we/) [Erin Brockovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-brockovich/) > [There's overwhelming evidence... circumstantial and otherwise, to suggest a connection between Iraq and al Qaeda.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/there-s-overwhelming-evidence-circumstantial-and-otherwise-to-suggest/) [Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/) > [When I discovered drama, I felt a connection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-fearon/when-i-discovered-drama-i-felt-a-connection/) [Ray Fearon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-fearon/) > [“Your passion is your connection to God.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-ray/your-passion-is-your-connection-to-god/) [Amit Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-ray/) > [Religion is no longer a connection point for most people. Our communities were built on coming together in physical locations once a week or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-mckelvey/religion-is-no-longer-a-connection-point-for-most-people-our/) [Miguel McKelvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-mckelvey/) > [“A man becomes creative, whether he is an artist or a scientist, when he finds a new unity in the variety of nature. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-bronowski/a-man-becomes-creative-whether-he-is-an-artist-or-a-scientist-when-he/) [Jacob Bronowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-bronowski/) > [“If you cannot wait for time to unearth roots, you must dig.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelou-keramati/if-you-cannot-wait-for-time-to-unearth-roots-you-must-dig/) Nelou Keramati > [“As a species, we are hardwired for connection. We are our best selves when we are sharing and communicating with others.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyler-henry/as-a-species-we-are-hardwired-for-connection-we-are-our-best-selves/) [Tyler Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyler-henry/) > [“If you feel you don’t know the right people, turn to the next person you see on the street and introduce yourself—that connection could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raoul-davis-jr/if-you-feel-you-don-t-know-the-right-people-turn-to-the-next-person/) [Raoul Davis Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raoul-davis-jr/) > [I'm uninterested in superheroes. I am only interested in real stories, real people, real connection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-lee-curtis/i-m-uninterested-in-superheroes-i-am-only-interested-in-real-stories/) [Jamie Lee Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-lee-curtis/) > [There's a spectrum of those moments of connection and the moments we fail to connect, going from super-large successes to failures. Success would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aimee-bender/there-s-a-spectrum-of-those-moments-of-connection-and-the-moments-we/) [Aimee Bender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aimee-bender/) > [I think my work comes out of both an intense desire for connection and what it means to feel isolated. There's always going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrienne-rich/i-think-my-work-comes-out-of-both-an-intense-desire-for-connection/) [Adrienne Rich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrienne-rich/) > [I always have this sense of food as triangular, in that one point is nourishment, one point is connection, and one point is pleasure,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/crescent-dragonwagon/i-always-have-this-sense-of-food-as-triangular-in-that-one-point-is/) [Crescent Dragonwagon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/crescent-dragonwagon/) > [I don't mind writing so I didn't find that difficult, it's just a question of finding the time to do it. I kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-cronenberg/i-don-t-mind-writing-so-i-didn-t-find-that-difficult-it-s-just-a/) [David Cronenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-cronenberg/) [Browse all 1,649 Connection quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/connection/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Even when I was calling myself the Microphones I only really ever played new songs... because I feel, like, a pretty strong connection to the song when I'm performing it.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Phil Elverum" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-elverum/even-when-i-was-calling-myself-the-microphones-i-only-really-ever/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Connection" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-elverum/even-when-i-was-calling-myself-the-microphones-i-only-really-ever/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79f/phil-elverum-6384_connection_even-when-i-was-calling-myself-the-micro_2037616.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79f/phil-elverum-6384_connection_even-when-i-was-calling-myself-the-micro_2037616.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79f/phil-elverum-6384_connection_even-when-i-was-calling-myself-the-micro_2037616.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Even when I was calling myself the Microphones I only really ever played new songs... because I feel, like…” — Phil Elverum", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Phil Elverum", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-elverum/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Even when I was calling myself...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-elverum/even-when-i-was-calling-myself-the-microphones-i-only-really-ever/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-elverum/even-when-i-was-calling-myself-the-microphones-i-only-really-ever/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```