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Their latest album, ''[[Boxer (album)|Boxer]]'', was released on May 22, 2007, and has also received widespread critical praise [http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/national/boxer?q=the%20national]. The album features contributions from various guest artists including [[Sufjan Stevens]] and [[Doveman]] (aka Thomas Bartlett). It received #2 best album of the year by [[Stereogum|stereogum.com]] and #1 album of the year by ''[[Paste (magazine)|Paste Magazine]]''.<ref> Paste Magazine issue #38 </ref> Their song "Fake Empire" from ''Boxer'' was featured on [[NBC]]'s new series, [[Chuck (TV series)|''Chuck'']], and [[Southland (TV series)|''Southland'']], [[The CW|the CW]]'s [[One Tree Hill (TV series)|''One Tree Hill'']] in its current fifth season and the 2008 film [[Battle in Seattle|''Battle in Seattle'']].
Their latest album, ''[[Boxer (album)|Boxer]]'', was released on May 22, 2007, and has also received widespread critical praise [http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/national/boxer?q=the%20national]. The album features contributions from various guest artists including [[Sufjan Stevens]] and [[Doveman]] (aka Thomas Bartlett). It received #2 best album of the year by [[Stereogum|stereogum.com]] and #1 album of the year by ''[[Paste (magazine)|Paste Magazine]]''.<ref> Paste Magazine issue #38 </ref> Their song "Fake Empire" from ''Boxer'' was featured on [[NBC]]'s new series, [[Chuck (TV series)|''Chuck'']], and [[Southland (TV series)|''Southland'']], [[The CW|the CW]]'s [[One Tree Hill (TV series)|''One Tree Hill'']] in its current fifth season and the 2008 film [[Battle in Seattle|''Battle in Seattle'']].


In the summer of 2008, they, along with [[Modest Mouse]], opened for [[R.E.M.]] on the promotional tour for the new [[R.E.M.]] album ''[[Accelerate (R.E.M. album)|Accelerate]]'' as well as playing at many festivals in [[North America]] and [[Europe]] such as [[Coachella Festival|Coachella]], [[Sasquatch Festival|Sasquatch]], [[Glastonbury Festival|Glastonbury]], [[Haldern Pop]], [[Rock Werchter]], [[Optimus Alive!]], [[Oxegen Festival|Oxegen]], [[Festival Internacional de Benicàssim|Benicàssim]], [[Lowlands (music festival)|Lowlands]], [[O2 Wireless Festival|O2 Wireless]], [[T in the Park]], and [[Lollapalooza]].
In the summer of 2008, along with [[Modest Mouse]], they opened for [[R.E.M.]] on the promotional tour for the new [[R.E.M.]] album ''[[Accelerate (R.E.M. album)|Accelerate]].'' That summer they also played many festivals in [[North America]] and [[Europe]], including [[Coachella Festival|Coachella]], [[Sasquatch Festival|Sasquatch]], [[Glastonbury Festival|Glastonbury]], [[Haldern Pop]], [[Rock Werchter]], [[Optimus Alive!]], [[Oxegen Festival|Oxegen]], [[Festival Internacional de Benicàssim|Benicàssim]], [[Lowlands (music festival)|Lowlands]], [[O2 Wireless Festival|O2 Wireless]], [[T in the Park]], and [[Lollapalooza]].


On December 17, 2008, The band released a letter to members of their mailing list letting it be known that they were in the beginning stages of recording a new album and it could be expected sometime in late 2009 or early 2010. During a Pitchfork interview in late March of 2009, Aaron Dessner said the album was still unnamed though lightheartedly suggested it would start with a "C" in the tradition of their previous two albums [http://pitchfork.com/news/34969-the-nationals-aaron-dessner-on-idark-was-the-nighti-new-national-album/]. Tracks that have been performed live, to be featured on the album, are called "Believe Me" (earlier called The Blue Sky and A Thousand Black Cities), "Karamazov" (a reference to the novel by [[Fyodor Dostoyevsky]] called [[The Brothers Karamazov]], a favorite of the band's members) which has also been known as "Runaway", and "Wake Up Your Saints," "Blood Buzz, Ohio" and "Vanderlylle Cry Baby."
On December 17, 2008, The band released a letter to members of their mailing list letting it be known that they were in the beginning stages of recording a new album and it could be expected some time in late 2009 or early 2010. During a Pitchfork interview in late March of 2009, Aaron Dessner said the album was still unnamed though lightheartedly suggested it would start with a "C" in the tradition of their previous two albums [http://pitchfork.com/news/34969-the-nationals-aaron-dessner-on-idark-was-the-nighti-new-national-album/]. Tracks that have been performed live, to be featured on the album, are called "Wake Up Your Saints," "Blood Buzz, Ohio," "Vanderlylle Cry Baby," "Believe Me" (earlier called The Blue Sky and A Thousand Black Cities), and "Karamazov" (a reference to the novel by [[Fyodor Dostoyevsky]] called [[The Brothers Karamazov]], a favorite of the band's members) which has also been known as "Runaway."


On February 17th, 2009, an album titled ''[[Dark Was the Night]]'' was released by [[4AD]], and was produced by Aaron & Bryce Dessner and is a 31 track compilation to benefit the [[Red Hot Organization]]. It also contains a new song by The National titled "So Far Around the Bend".
On February 17th, 2009, an album titled ''[[Dark Was the Night]]'' was released by [[4AD]], and was produced by Aaron & Bryce Dessner and is a 31 track compilation to benefit the [[Red Hot Organization]]. It also contains a new song by The National titled "So Far Around the Bend".

Revision as of 06:40, 6 June 2009

The National

The National is a Brooklyn-based indie rock band formed in 1999, by friends from Cincinnati, Ohio. Influences range from Bruce Springsteen to Tindersticks. The band's lyrics are written and sung by Matt Berninger in a distinctive, deep baritone. The rest of the band is composed of two pairs of brothers: Aaron and Bryce Dessner and Scott and Bryan Devendorf. Aaron plays guitar, bass and piano, Bryce plays guitar, Scott plays bass and guitar, and Bryan is the drummer. Padma Newsome, from sister band Clogs, often contributes strings, keyboards, and other arrangements and instrumental flourishes.

History

Beginnings

When the band was formed in 1999 by a group of Ohio friends, it was called The National (although the domain name of the band's website is americanmary.com because, according to an interview with Better Propaganda, "[i]t's a song off our first record. We never thought of changing the (website) name, although we should have."[1] Several of the members continued to work day jobs throughout the early years, being involved in New York's dot-com boom in the late 1990s. Their first self-titled album The National was eventually released in 2001 on Brassland Records, a label founded by band members Aaron and Bryce Dessner, along with their friend Alec Hanley Bemis. Their debut album launched the band's career, as they had performed few live shows before its release.[citation needed] The release was followed two years later by another album, Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers. In 2004, they released the Cherry Tree EP which included live favorite "About Today" and "All the Wine" which would also appear on their next record.

Signing to Beggars Banquet and breakout

In 2005 the band quit their jobs and moved to a new label, Beggars Banquet Records, because the process of running their own label was becoming "too complicated".[2] Their first album on this label, Alligator, was met with much critical acclaim and featured highly in "Album of the Year" charts in the LA Times, Insound, Uncut, and many other publications[3] . This album gave the band increased exposure.

Their latest album, Boxer, was released on May 22, 2007, and has also received widespread critical praise [1]. The album features contributions from various guest artists including Sufjan Stevens and Doveman (aka Thomas Bartlett). It received #2 best album of the year by stereogum.com and #1 album of the year by Paste Magazine.[4] Their song "Fake Empire" from Boxer was featured on NBC's new series, Chuck, and Southland, the CW's One Tree Hill in its current fifth season and the 2008 film Battle in Seattle.

In the summer of 2008, along with Modest Mouse, they opened for R.E.M. on the promotional tour for the new R.E.M. album Accelerate. That summer they also played many festivals in North America and Europe, including Coachella, Sasquatch, Glastonbury, Haldern Pop, Rock Werchter, Optimus Alive!, Oxegen, Benicàssim, Lowlands, O2 Wireless, T in the Park, and Lollapalooza.

On December 17, 2008, The band released a letter to members of their mailing list letting it be known that they were in the beginning stages of recording a new album and it could be expected some time in late 2009 or early 2010. During a Pitchfork interview in late March of 2009, Aaron Dessner said the album was still unnamed though lightheartedly suggested it would start with a "C" in the tradition of their previous two albums [2]. Tracks that have been performed live, to be featured on the album, are called "Wake Up Your Saints," "Blood Buzz, Ohio," "Vanderlylle Cry Baby," "Believe Me" (earlier called The Blue Sky and A Thousand Black Cities), and "Karamazov" (a reference to the novel by Fyodor Dostoyevsky called The Brothers Karamazov, a favorite of the band's members) which has also been known as "Runaway."

On February 17th, 2009, an album titled Dark Was the Night was released by 4AD, and was produced by Aaron & Bryce Dessner and is a 31 track compilation to benefit the Red Hot Organization. It also contains a new song by The National titled "So Far Around the Bend".

Political and Social Support

The band threw their support behind Barack Obama's 2008 bid for the White House. In July 2008, the band designed and sold a t-shirt with a picture of Barack Obama on it along with the words "Mr November", a reference to their song from Alligator and the month in which the presidential election occurs. All proceeds were donated to the Obama Campaign Fund.[5]

Their song "Fake Empire" was used by the Obama campaign at many high-profile events during the election. On August 28, 2008 "Fake Empire" was the back music to a video that was shown at Invesco Field during the Democratic National Convention the night that Barack Obama accepted his nomination.[6] On November 4, 2008, "Fake Empire" was the background music to a video that was shown in Grant Park prior to Barack Obama taking the stage to give his victory speech on Election night.[6]

On October 16, 2008, The National played a rally for Barack Obama on Fountain Square in their hometown of Cincinnati. Dayton's own The Breeders opened the rally. Buses for early voting were available before the show to take voters to the Hamilton County Board of Elections.

In New York, on February 3rd, 2009, The National played at a benefit show for Philip Glass' Tibet House at Carnegie Hall.

Discography

Albums

EPs

Singles

Film and home video

References

  1. ^ Better Propaganda Interview with Matt Berninger
  2. ^ Tom (6 August 2005). "The National – Interview". Sixeyes.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2009-02-20.
  3. ^ "The National: Alligator (2005): Reviews". Metacritic.com. Retrieved 2009-02-20.
  4. ^ Paste Magazine issue #38
  5. ^ http://www.merchco-online.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=506_518
  6. ^ a b Martinez, Chris. "Oh, What A Night: Chicago celebrates with President-elect Obama in Grant Park :: Local:Chicago :: Articles :: Paste". Pastemagazine.com. Retrieved 2009-02-20.
  7. ^ Billboard, Allmusic

Interviews

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