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The National (band)

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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 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.

History

When the band was formed in 1999 by a group of Ohio friends, they decided to form a rubbish band the two names that were seriously considered were "The National" or "American Mary,"[citation needed] the latter being the title of one of their early songs. 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 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). It received #2 best album of the year by stereogum.com and #1 best album of the year by Paste magazine. Their song "Slow Show" from Boxer was featured on NBC's new series, Chuck and the CW's One Tree Hill in its current fifth season.

In summer of 2008 they, along with Modest Mouse, plan to support R.E.M. on the promotional tour for their new album "Accelerate."

In 2008 they designed a t-shirt for the Yellow Bird Project to raise money for Safe Space, a New York based charity that provides assistance to underprivileged children and families.

Discography

Albums

EPs

Singles

Interviews

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