The National The National
While indie rock stalwarts the National emerged from Brooklyn in the early 2000s amidst a garage rock revival that included bands like the Strokes, the Walkmen, and, in the U.K., the Libertines, they distinguished themselves by drawing from a wider set of influences. Merging elements of alternative country-rock, Americana, and chamber pop as well as post-punk into their moody, crafted indie rock, their earliest albums won a dedicated fan base and critical praise before they made an impact on the charts with their fourth LP, 2007's Boxer. It marked a gradual shift away from some of their more rustic influences, as they embraced a more expansive, orchestral sound behind the literate lyrics and brooding vocals of frontman Matt Berninger. An album-oriented band that had yet to land on the Hot 100, the National catapulted into the Top Three of the album charts in multiple countries with 2010's High Violet. They remained a Top Three act throughout the decade, which included the still more expansive, Grammy-winning Sleep Well Beast from 2017.
Founded by lead vocalist Matt Berninger, Aaron Dessner(guitar, bass), and brothers Scott Devendorf (bass, guitar) and Bryan Devendorf (drums) in 1999, the Nationalemerged from Cincinnati, Ohio garage punk band Nancy. Consisting of Berninger, Scott Devendorf, Mike Brewer, Casey Reas, and Jeff Salem, Nancy released the album Ruther 3429 before disbanding when members including Berninger and Devendorf relocated to Brooklyn, New York. Once there, the two former graphic design students joined forces with Cincinnati native and Columbia University graduate Aaron Dessner and Scott's brother Bryan Devendorf. The quartet secured a weekly residency at Manhattan's Luna Lounge and went to work on their debut album. The National saw release in 2001 on Brassland Records, an independent label founded by Aaron Dessner and his twin brother Bryce, a Yale graduate with a Master's degree in music. Bryce soon joined the group on guitar, solidifying a lineup that would remain intact through their rise to mainstream success.
While indie rock stalwarts the National emerged from Brooklyn in the early 2000s amidst a garage rock revival that included bands like the Strokes, the Walkmen, and, in the U.K., the Libertines, they distinguished themselves by drawing from a wider set of influences. Merging elements of alternative country-rock, Americana, and chamber pop as well as post-punk into their moody, crafted indie rock, their earliest albums won a dedicated fan base and critical praise before they made an impact on the charts with their fourth LP, 2007's Boxer. It marked a gradual shift away from some of their more rustic influences, as they embraced a more expansive, orchestral sound behind the literate lyrics and brooding vocals of frontman Matt Berninger. An album-oriented band that had yet to land on the Hot 100, the National catapulted into the Top Three of the album charts in multiple countries with 2010's High Violet. They remained a Top Three act throughout the decade, which included the still more expansive, Grammy-winning Sleep Well Beast from 2017.
Founded by lead vocalist Matt Berninger, Aaron Dessner(guitar, bass), and brothers Scott Devendorf (bass, guitar) and Bryan Devendorf (drums) in 1999, the Nationalemerged from Cincinnati, Ohio garage punk band Nancy. Consisting of Berninger, Scott Devendorf, Mike Brewer, Casey Reas, and Jeff Salem, Nancy released the album Ruther 3429 before disbanding when members including Berninger and Devendorf relocated to Brooklyn, New York. Once there, the two former graphic design students joined forces with Cincinnati native and Columbia University graduate Aaron Dessner and Scott's brother Bryan Devendorf. The quartet secured a weekly residency at Manhattan's Luna Lounge and went to work on their debut album. The National saw release in 2001 on Brassland Records, an independent label founded by Aaron Dessner and his twin brother Bryce, a Yale graduate with a Master's degree in music. Bryce soon joined the group on guitar, solidifying a lineup that would remain intact through their rise to mainstream success.
