This Wednesday, April 22nd, The Antlers will play their most intimate local show in well over a decade when they come to Johnny Brenda’s on the final night of headlining dates behind 2025’s Blight, the seventh full-length from Peter Silberman’s indie rock project. The North American dates — which began on the West Coast in January, before detouring to the UK and Europe in March — have had Silberman and drummer Michael Lerner joined by TŌTH (Alex Toth of our phriends Rubblebucket), who is opening each show and joining The Antlers for a couple of songs, as well… I recently got a chance to chat with Peter Silberman about this latest album and tour, in addition to the 20th anniversary of The Antlers’ debut and nearly 20 years of playing in Philly…
Izzy Cihak: Last year you released Blight, the first studio LP from The Antlers in close to half a decade. How do you think the album compares to previous releases? I understand that it was recorded over several years and primarily done in your home studio.
Peter Silberman: I think Blight has the DNA of most, if not all previous albums within it, but covering a different subject matter than any of the others. Throughout the record, there are production choices that call back to earlier albums like Hospice, like explosive maximalist moments that are meant to overwhelm. And then lyricism that may be drawn from previous eras as well, like unbroken and densely-worded verses. But the themes of consumerism and ecological grief set it apart.
Izzy: The album has received some pretty amazing praise from a number of outlets. Have you had any favorite reactions to the music, whether things critics have written about it, things fans have told you, or just responses the music’s gotten from live audiences?
Peter: I’m grateful for the positive reactions to the album and the time spent writing them, but mostly I don’t read them. I feel confident in the work itself, but my mind has a tendency to internalize criticisms in a way that’s not helpful. Direct reactions from people have been really interesting and somewhat polarized — either the album resonates strongly, especially with those who have already been feeling a sense of ecological anxiety or dread; or not at all, perhaps because the subject doesn’t interest them.
Izzy: Do you currently have a favorite song from the album, whether one you most enjoy performing, one that seems to evoke the most moving reactions, or one that you’re just most proud of?
Peter: I think my favorites off the album are the ones that are hardest to perform, which have largely been left off the setlist. “Deactivate” comes to mind. I feel very proud of how the lyrics and production came together with that song. I think of it as black comedy — deeply disturbing but also, in a strange sense, kind of funny.
Izzy: You’ve played Philadelphia a lot over the years, with numerous shows at Union Transfer, First Unitarian Church, and The Fire (in addition to a handful of other spots). Do you have any memories of or thoughts on the city?
Peter: Some of our first shows outside of NYC were in Philadelphia, namely those shows you mentioned at The Fire, which were honestly abysmal. But Philly is an example of a city where the shows have improved so much from when we first started playing there that it makes me truly appreciate all the wonderful shows we’ve had in the years since.
Izzy: You’re going to be wrapping your current North American tour right here, so I’m curious how the dates have gone so far? What have been some of the highlights or standout moments?
Peter: The shows on these tours this year have been consistently great. I feel like we’ve found a nice balance of new material and older songs, and it’s been fun playing keys for 1/3 of the set. Michael and I started playing as a duo about two years ago (after nearly 20 years playing together in various configurations) and at this point it feels pretty dialed in. The shows require a lot of focus but they also feel loose and personable.
Izzy: Your show at Johnny Brenda’s will be The Antlers’ most intimate show here in well over a decade. How do you like playing super intimate, standing-room barroom venues in particular?
Peter: Lately I’ve really been loving playing these smaller clubs, it feels right for the kind of show we’re putting on. The directness and closeness to the audience emanates an energy that helps the show feel alive and conversational.
Izzy: You’re on the road with TŌTH, who’s not only an amazing musician, but a totally amazing live performer. And I know he’s a longtime friend. What are your thoughts on him and his music, and how has it been getting to be on the road with him?
Peter: Alex and I actually only met recently, but it’s been great touring together, he’s a lovely guy. His set is very different than ours — higher energy, lots of crowd participation, just a different vibe altogether. And I think that contrast has been a good way to start the show and loosen everyone up. Plus we get the added bonus of him joining us on trumpet for a few key songs.
Izzy: Not to pull focus from your new music, but The Antlers’ debut, Uprooted, turns 20 this year, so I’m curious how you feel about that collection these days?
Peter: I can’t really believe it’s been so long, but if I ever listen to that album now, I can hear just how long it’s been. It’s a little bit of a tough listen for me, as my voice is so undeveloped in those recordings. But the record is unusually raw and desperate feeling, which makes it special in its own way. When I first released it, pretty much nobody was listening or interested. So the most unbelievable thing to me is that that record has finally found its following and people who know it so well.
Izzy: Finally, what’s next for you, after these dates wrap, whether relating to The Antlers or any other projects of yours?
Peter: My other group Cowboy Sadness is mixing our second album as we speak. So I’m excited to finish that up, release it and play some shows with my guys Nick Principe and David Moore. As for Antlers, I’m not sure where we go from here now that the Blight shows are winding down. Eventually another album will appear.
*Get your tickets here.
