THE NATIONAL (BAND)

'The National' is a Brooklyn-based indie rock band formed in 1999, by friends from Cincinnati, Ohio.
Influences range from Tom Waits to U2. The band's morose, self-deprecating lyrics are written and sung by Matt Berninger in a distinctive, deep baritone. The rest of band comprises two pairs of brothers; Aaron & Bryce Dessner and Scott & Bryan Devendorf. Padma Newsome, from sister band, Clogs, often contributes strings, keyboards, and other arrangements and instrumental flourishes.

Contents

History

Discography

Albums

Singles

Interviews

External links

History

When the band was formed in 1999 by a group of Ohio friends, the two names that were seriously considered were "The National" or "American Mary", the latter being the title of one of their early songs. Several of the members continued to work day jobs throughout the early years, having participated in New York's dot-com boom in the late 90s. 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. The release was followed two years later by another album, ''Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers''.
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" [1]. 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 [2]. This album gave the band a lot more exposure, and many people mistakenly assumed that this was their debut release.
Their latest album, ''Boxer'', was released on May 22, 2007, and has also received widespread critical praise [3]. The album features contributions from various guest artists including Sufjan Stevens and Doveman (aka Thomas Bartlett).

Discography

Albums

★ ''The National'' (October 30, 2001)

★ ''Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers'' (September 2, 2003)

★ ''Cherry Tree (EP)'' (July 20, 2004)

★ ''Alligator'' (April 12, 2005)

★ ''Boxer'' (May 22, 2007)

Singles

★ ''Lit Up'' (Beggars Banquet Records, March 14, 2005)

★ ''Secret Meeting'' (Beggars Banquet Records, August 29, 2005--digital download only)

★ ''Abel'' (Beggars Banquet Records, November 14, 2005)

★ ''Mistaken For Strangers'' (Beggars Banquet Records, April 30, 2007)

★ ''Apartment Story'' (Beggars Banquet Records, October 15, 2007)

Interviews

★ The National's Matt Berninger Interview w/ The Scenestar - June 2007

★ The National interview at musicOMH.com (2005)

★ The National interview at musicOMH.com (2007)

★ Matt Berninger Interview 1 -
★ Sixeyes Interview w/ Matt Berninger

★ Matt Berninger Interview 2 - 3:AM Interview w/ Matt Berninger

★ Matt Berninger Interview 3 -
★ Sixeyes Interview w/ Matt Berninger - BOXER 2007

★ Interview in Kruger Magazine

★ Aaron Dessner Interview in God Is In The TV Zine

External links

★ www.americanmary.com - Official band website

★ www.myspace.com/thenational - Official band MySpace.com page

★ [4] - The National fan forum

★ www.brassland.org - Brooklyn, NY based record label started by The National's Aaron & Bryce Dessner and writer Alec Hanley Bemis.

★ The National play live and acoustic for Radiolibre

★ The Line Of Best Fit Q&A with The National

★ June 2007 Concert Review on BYT

★ The National at ontheinside.info