The National

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Biography

Cincinnati, United States (1999 – present)

The National is a Brooklyn-based band formed in 1999, by friends from Cincinnati, Ohio. 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 Dessner (guitar, bass, keyboards), Bryce Dessner (guitar), Scott Devendorf (bass, guitar) and Bryan Devendorf (drums).

Their self-titled debut album”The National” (Brassland 2001) was recorded and released before they had played even a single show. They cut the album with engineer Nick Lloyd and formed a label with writer Alec Bemis, so those recordings could be released. Kerrang! magazine gave it four Ks, calling it “the stuff underground legends are made of.”

The National made a second album, “Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers” (Brassland/Talitres 2003). The staff was the same, though Peter Katis, who produced “Turn on The Bright Lights” and “Antics” by Interpol, helped produce and mix, and Australian composer Padma Newsome from Clogs collaborated on arrangements and strings.

Following the first session of several for Bernard Lenoir on France’s Radio Inter, an in-between EP was released, Cherry Tree, containing what would become the blueprint for the sound on their next record and the session of Sad Song’s standout Murder Me Rachael. After these accolades and being impressed by their live show, Roger Trust signed them to Beggars Banquet.

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  • Chadipoo

    the nature here is to always tryin' to do better!

    6 hours ago Reply
  • Tony--

    I need my girl <3

    yesterday evening Reply
  • olesya_sh

    if i stay here trouble will find me

    yesterday evening Reply
  • traytray89

    I can't wait to see these guys Sunday at BOSTON CALLING!

    Yesterday 8:00pm Reply
  • DraxQuin

    Pop Metal?! Where the hell is the metal.

    Yesterday 2:31pm Reply
  • Ssomeonee

    trouble will find me is like the best pop metal album i've heard in a while THANKS FOR THIS AMAZING ALBUM THE NATIONAL OMG <3

    Yesterday 2:06pm Reply
  • kick_yr_crutch

    Humiliation for me, Boxer has to be their masterpiece overall

    Yesterday 11:57am Reply
  • badname1986

    Also I'm real big on the new album. I've listened to it about 15 times now and This Is The Last Time is emerging as my favorite.

    Yesterday 8:19am Reply
  • badname1986

    Why do you people get so upset with people who don't like the band you like what is the big deal

    Yesterday 8:19am Reply
  • cheesheng

    *graceless*

    Yesterday 7:25am Reply
  • Wazyn

    хорошо-хорошо

    Yesterday 5:16am Reply
  • danilomac

    fuck

    Yesterday 11:41pm Reply
  • reehhatd

    I Need My Girl <3

    Yesterday 11:37pm Reply
  • yugman

    Trouble Will Find Me is a subtle masterpiece.

    Yesterday 9:56pm Reply
  • livesuffer-die

    if only there were more bands like this in the world..

    Yesterday 8:45pm Reply
  • Whatsername707

    Just when I thought The National couldn't get any better, they go releasing Trouble Will Find Me and have me hooked from day 1! My mom is even starting to like them =D Great stuff guys! I Need My Girl is on repeat =)

    23 May 5:48pm Reply
  • patcarvalhos

    "You didn't see me I was falling apart I was a television version of a person with a broken heart"

    23 May 5:33pm Reply
  • Chadipoo

    Howth break?

    23 May 3:37pm Reply
  • Funtomen

    I'm really enjoying "Trouble Will Find Me", but for now "Exile Vilify" is stuck on repeat.

    23 May 3:06pm Reply
  • NOHIDDENPATH

    Wow, TWFM what a fantastic track!

    23 May 1:57pm Reply
  • All 7812 shouts