The National

  • Cincinnati, OH
    hometown
  • Rock
    genre
  • 1999
    started
  • Bio
    full story
  • Badges
  • Share
  • Similar
  • Hive Picks
    More Hive Picks Artists
  • Artists To Watch
    More Artists To Watch Artists
  • Live In NYC
    More Live In NYC Artists
Close

About The National


Although formed during the post-punk revival of the late '90s, the National took inspiration from a wider set of influences, including country-rock, Americana, indie rock, and Britpop. The lineup began taking shape in Ohio and officially cemented itself in New York, with baritone vocalist Matt Berninger joining forces with two sets of brothers -- Scott (bass) and Bryan Devendorf (drums), and Aaron (guitar) and Bryce Dessner (guitar). After establishing themselves as a live act, the bandmates made their studio debut with The National, a self-titled record that appeared in 2001 to considerable acclaim. Two years later, the band returned with Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers, a deft blending of alternative country and chamber pop that found the band partnering with producer Peter Katis.

The National continued working with Katis throughout the rest of the decade. Following the release of an EP, Cherry Tree, in 2004, the band signed with Beggars Banquet and released Alligator. Although sales were modest, Alligator proved to be one of the year's most critically approved releases. 2007's Boxer, an ambitious effort that featured orchestration by the Clogs' Padma Newsome and piano by Sufjan Stevens, fared similarly well. It also became the band's first album to chart fairly well, peaking at number 67 on the Billboard 200.

A documentary by French filmmaker Vincent Moon was released in 2008, capturing the band during the Boxer recording sessions. That same year, the National released The Virginia EP, a collection of new material and various B-sides, and began working on a new studio album with Katis. High Violet appeared two years later, earning the guys the highest marks of their career and going gold in multiple countries. ~ Andrew Leahey, Rovi

Scroll up Scroll down

Music

From position 0, showing 10 items, asking 10
See All
Next Page
  • Conversation 16
    the-national
    Video
    Conversation 16
  • Conversation 16 (Live)
    the-national
    Video
    Conversation 16 (Live)
  • Afraid Of Everyone (Live)
    the-national
    Video
    Afraid Of Everyone (Live)
  • Bloodbuzz Ohio (Live)
    the-national
    Video
    Bloodbuzz Ohio (Live)
  • Fake Empire (Live)
    the-national
    Video
    Fake Empire (Live)
  • Terrible Love (Live)
    the-national
    Video
    Terrible Love (Live)
  • Terrible Love
    the-national
    Video
    Terrible Love
  • Apartment Story
    the-national
    Video
    Apartment Story
  • Mistaken for Strangers (Live)
    the-national
    Video
    Mistaken for Strangers (Live)
  • Apartment Story (Live)
    the-national
    Video
    Apartment Story (Live)

Interviews & Exclusives

From position 0, showing 8 items, asking 10
See All
  • Storytelling pt.1
    the-national
    video
    Storytelling pt.1
  • PUSH: The National (2011)
    the-national
    playlist
    PUSH: The National (2011)
  • Sneak Peek: The National, "Terrible Love (Live)" (2011)
    the-national
    video
    Sneak Peek: The National, "Terrible Love (Live)" (2011)
  • The National on their band name (2007)
    the-national
    video
    The National on their band name (2007)
  • The National on quitting smoking (2007)
    the-national
    video
    The National on quitting smoking (2007)
  • The National on how the band formed (2005)
    the-national
    video
    The National on how the band formed (2005)
  • The National on the video for "Abel" (2005)
    the-national
    video
    The National on the video for "Abel" (2005)
  • The National on disliking liner notes (2005)
    the-national
    video
    The National on disliking liner notes (2005)

Photos

From position 0, showing 10 items, asking 10
See All
Next Page
  • Scott Devendorf from The National
    The National
    Scott Devendorf from The National
    Rene Cervantes/MTV
  • Scott Devendorf from The National
    The National
    Scott Devendorf from The National
    Rene Cervantes/MTV
  • Bryce Dessner from The National
    The National
    Bryce Dessner from The National
    Rene Cervantes/MTV
  • Bryce Dessner from The National
    The National
    Bryce Dessner from The National
    Rene Cervantes/MTV
  • Bryan Devendorf from The National
    The National
    Bryan Devendorf from The National
    Rene Cervantes/MTV
  • Bryan Devendorf from The National
    The National
    Bryan Devendorf from The National
    Rene Cervantes/MTV
  • Matt Beringer from The National
    The National
    Matt Beringer from The National
    Rene Cervantes/MTV
  • Matt Beringer from The National
    The National
    Matt Beringer from The National
    Rene Cervantes/MTV
  • Aaron Dessner from The National
    The National
    Aaron Dessner from The National
    Rene Cervantes/MTV
  • Aaron Dessner from The National
    The National
    Aaron Dessner from The National
    Rene Cervantes/MTV

News

From position 0, showing 20 items, asking 10
See All
Next Page
  • The National
    The Top 10 Worst Places To Spend Memorial Day Weekend
    MTV Geek
    May 22, 2013
    This Memorial Day , many of you will be getting away for some well-deserved R&R. Some of you might head to the beach, some of you might take in the w...
    Read More
  • The National
    Vampire Weekend Score Second #1 Debut With Modern Vampires
    MTV News
    May 22, 2013
    Demi Lovato's Demi is singer's best chart bow at #3.
    Read More
  • The National
    Vampire Weekend Score Second #1 Debut With Modern Vampires
    MTV News
    May 22, 2013
    Demi Lovato's Demi is singer's best chart bow at #3.
    Read More
  • The National
    'The Voice' Judge Blake Shelton Planning All-Star Oklahoma Tornado Benefit
    MTV News
    May 22, 2013
    Oklahoma native country star hints he might tap 'Voice' co-stars like Usher for prime time fundraiser.
    Read More
  • The National
    Selfless Snaps: Zach Galifianakis Had Oklahoma on His Mind at 'Hangover' Premiere
    MTV Act
    May 21, 2013
    With news of the massive tornado that ripped through Oklahoma yesterday, it’s easy to forget that things like movie premieres still have to go on as...
    Read More
  • The National
    How the National Taught Me to Love Myself
    MTV Hive
    May 21, 2013
    I'm  alone in a hotel room in Chicago. My wife is out of town on business, my two year old is with his grandparents. I have no responsibilities other ...
    Read More
  • The National
    The 15 Greatest Prom Scenes In Movie History
    VH1 Celebrity
    May 21, 2013
    Everyone knows that the high school prom is the greatest most important day of your life ! Or at least one of them. Definitely in the top 10 ...
    Read More
  • The National
    Daft Punk, Thirty Seconds To Mars Release Albums; Fun. Performs 'Today' Summer Concert Series
    MTV Buzzworthy
    May 20, 2013
    Welcome to Buzzworthy's "The Week In Pop," where we round up new album releases, talk show musical guests, and TV performances by your favorite pop st...
    Read More
  • The National
    HOT DISH: Kenny Chesney Rocks the Rafters in Dallas
    Hot Dish
    May 20, 2013
    More News on CMT Music Awards, Kellie Pickler, Darius Rucker and George Strait
    Read More
  • The National
    Public Enemy Shut It Down At Hangout Festival
    MTV RapFix
    May 18, 2013
    by Gil Kaufman GULF SHORES, Alabama — MTV News' Sway Calloway said it from the stage, but after watching Rock and Roll Hall of Fame hip-hop icons ...
    Read More
  • The National
    The National Elect Comedian President In New 'Conversation 16' Video
    MTV News
    guys in the band play Secret Service agents, and they gave me an autographed record!" Schaal said. "Honestly, I would play the president of the United...
    Read More
  • The National
    Watch: Sufjan and Nico Muhly perform with The National
    www.drownedinsound.com
    The other day (yesterday!) The National played Brixton's O2 Academy, which is sponsored by a company whose name escapes me. Anyway, for 'Terrible Love...
    Read More
  • The National
    Listen: Two new tracks from The National
    drownedinsound.com
    Right, so it's been a while since The National have done anything to prick up our interest, or so it seems. High Violet was an awfully long time ago, ...
    Read More
  • The National
    The National: 'Don't Swallow The Cap' | Prefix
    www.prefixmag.com
    Tweet Seems like it was just yesterday that The National unleashed the first single from their new LP, Trouble Will Find Me. Oh wait, it was just like...
    Read More
  • The National
    Echo Chamber: The National's Matt Berninger on the Future of the Band
    pitchfork.com
    for almost 14 years, so another five years might be too much. We're actually at a better place with each other than we've ever been. I don't think our...
    Read More
  • The National
    The National to Play Tiny New York Shows Today
    www.jambands.com
    The National will play a few tiny shows around New York City today. The group will perform at Brooklyn, NY's Public Assembly at 5:00 pm as well as at ...
    Read More
  • The National
    The National Will Play a Lunch Set Today
    www.jambands.com
    The National have added a third club show to their New York club sweep. The New York-based group will play a local haunt in their Ditmas Park neighbor...
    Read More
  • The National
    The National's Bryce Dessner, Real Estate,Sondre Lerche, Nico Mulhy and More Share "The Chase" with Phillip Glass
    www.jambands.com
    Sunday night, a multi-generational mix of musicians participated in a benefit for the Big Sur, CA's Henry Miller Library at Brooklyn, NY's Music Hall ...
    Read More
  • The National
    The National Play Three Surprise Gigs in New York
    www.rollingstone.com
    Click to Enlarge Matt Berninger of the National performs at Mercury Lounge in New York. Griffin Lotz for RollingStone.com The National played three sh...
    Read More
  • The National
    The National Play Three Surprise Gigs in New York
    music.yahoo.com
    Related ContentView Photo The National Play Three Surprise Gigs in New York The National played three shows in small New York clubs yesterday, celebra...
    Read More

Tour Dates

From position 0, showing 50 items, asking 50
See All
Next Page
  • May 25 Saturday
    Boston, MA, US Boston City Hall Plaza
    Buy Ticket
  • Jun 4 Tuesday
    Providence, RI, US Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel
    Buy Ticket
  • Jun 5 Wednesday
    Brooklyn, NY, US Barclays Center
    Buy Ticket
  • Jun 6 Thursday
    Columbia, MD, US Merriweather Post Pavilion
    Buy Ticket
  • Jun 7 Friday
    Philadelphia, PA, US The Mann Center for the Performing Arts
    Buy Ticket
  • Jun 7 Friday
    Philadelphia, PA, US The Mann Center for the Performing Arts
    Buy Ticket
  • Jun 7 Friday
    Philadelphia, PA, US The Mann Center for the Performing Arts
    Buy Ticket
  • Jun 8 Saturday
    Richmond, VA, US The National
    Buy Ticket
  • Jun 10 Monday
    Raleigh, NC, US Red Hat Amphitheater
    Buy Ticket
  • Jun 11 Tuesday
    Pittsburgh, PA, US Stage AE
    Buy Ticket
  • Jun 11 Tuesday
    Toronto, ON, Canada Unknown venue
    Buy Ticket
  • Jun 13 Thursday
    Manchester, TN, US Great Stage Park
    Buy Ticket
  • Jun 13 Thursday
    Montreal, QC, Canada Lachine Canal
    Buy Ticket
  • Jun 14 Friday
    Toronto, ON, Canada Yonge-Dundas Square
    Buy Ticket
  • Jun 15 Saturday
    Columbus, OH, US Lifestyle Communities Pavilion
    Buy Ticket
  • Jun 23 Sunday
    Istanbul, Turkey Parkorman
    Buy Ticket
  • Jun 25 Tuesday
    Brussels, Belgium Cirque Royal - Koninklijk Circus
    Buy Ticket
  • Jun 28 Friday
    Cork, Ireland Live At The Marquee
    Buy Ticket
  • Jun 29 Saturday
    Roskilde, Denmark Roskilde Festival
    Buy Ticket
  • Jun 30 Sunday
    Rome, Italy Auditorium Parco della Musica
    Buy Ticket
  • Jul 1 Monday
    Milan, Italy City Sound - Ippodromo Del Galoppo Di Milano
    Buy Ticket
  • Jul 2 Tuesday
    Zagreb, Croatia Salata
    Buy Ticket
  • Jul 12 Friday
    Cincinnati, OH, US Bunbury Music Festival
    Buy Ticket
  • Jul 26 Friday
    Byron Bay, NSW, Australia Unknown venue
    Buy Ticket
  • Aug 1 Thursday
    Salt Lake City, UT, US Pioneer Park
    Buy Ticket
  • Aug 2 Friday
    Chicago, IL, US Grant Park
    Buy Ticket
  • Aug 4 Sunday
    Indianapolis, IN, US Murat Theatre
    Buy Ticket
  • Aug 5 Monday
    Milwaukee, WI, US Riverside Theatre
    Buy Ticket
  • Aug 6 Tuesday
    St. Paul, MN, US Roy Wilkins Auditorium at St. Paul Rivercentre
    Buy Ticket
  • Aug 9 Friday
    San Francisco, CA, US Golden Gate Park
    Buy Ticket
  • Aug 10 Saturday
    Los Angeles, CA, US Greek Theatre
    Buy Ticket
  • Aug 11 Sunday
    Hollywood, CA, US Fairbanks Lawn at Hollywood Forever
    Buy Ticket
  • Sep 7 Saturday
    St Louis, MO, US Central Field, Forest Park
    Buy Ticket
  • Sep 8 Sunday
    Nashville, TN, US Ryman Auditorium
    Buy Ticket
  • Sep 9 Monday
    Atlanta, GA, US Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
    Buy Ticket
  • Sep 11 Wednesday
    Charlotte, NC, US The Fillmore
    Buy Ticket
  • Sep 12 Thursday
    Asheville, NC, US U.S. Cellular Center (formerly Civic Center)
    Buy Ticket
  • Sep 13 Friday
    Louisville, KY, US Iroquois Amphitheater
    Buy Ticket
  • Sep 14 Saturday
    Rochester Hills, MI, US Meadow Brook Music Festival
    Buy Ticket
  • Sep 14 Saturday
    Rochester Hills, MI, US Meadow Brook Music Festival
    Buy Ticket
  • Sep 15 Sunday
    Madison, WI, US Orpheum Theatre
    Buy Ticket
  • Sep 17 Tuesday
    Morrison, CO, US Red Rocks Amphitheatre
    Buy Ticket
  • Sep 19 Thursday
    Seattle, WA, US Paramount Theatre
    Buy Ticket
  • Sep 20 Friday
    Seattle, WA, US Paramount Theatre
    Buy Ticket
  • Sep 21 Saturday
    Troutdale, OR, US Mcmenamin's Historic Edgefield Manor
    Buy Ticket
  • Sep 22 Sunday
    Vancouver, BC, Canada PNE Agrodome
    Buy Ticket
  • Oct 4 Friday
    Austin, TX, US Zilker Park
    Buy Ticket
  • Oct 11 Friday
    Austin, TX, US Zilker Park
    Buy Ticket
  • Oct 31 Thursday
    Helsinki, Finland Helsingin Jäähalli
    Buy Ticket
  • Nov 2 Saturday
    Copenhagen, Denmark The Forum
    Buy Ticket

Discography

From position 0, showing 8 items, asking 10
See All
  • Trouble Will Find Me (2013)
    The National
    Trouble Will Find Me (2013)
    4AD
  • Trouble Will Find Me (2013)
    The National
    Trouble Will Find Me (2013)
    4AD
  • The Virginia EP (2012)
    The National
    The Virginia EP (2012)
    Beggars Banquet
  • High Violet (2010)
    The National
    High Violet (2010)
    4AD
  • Boxer (2007)
    The National
    Boxer (2007)
    Hi-Note
  • Alligator (2005)
    The National
    Alligator (2005)
    Blanco y Negro Records
  • Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers (2003)
    The National
    Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers (2003)
    Brassland
  • The National (2001)
    The National
    The National (2001)
    Brassland
Are You The National? Claim this page | Learn more about Artists.MTV | FAQ for Artists
The National Bio | The National Tour Dates | The National Music | The National Photos | The National News | The National Discography |
MTV | MTV Jobs | Privacy Policy | User Content Agreement | Copyright | Artist Index | Social Projects Agreements | Ad Choices |
Portions of this page powered by
This site contains content from artists, fans, and writers from around the internet in it's natural form. Such content is not representative of Viacom Media Networks.

©2012 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. MTV and all related titles and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.

  • Explore
    • Popular
    • Emerging
    • Genres
      • Rock
      • Hip Hop
      • Indie
      • Electronic/EDM
      • Country
      • Pop
    • Collections
    • Artist To Watch
  • Search
  • Are you an artist?
    • Claim Your Page
    • Learn More
    • FAQ
    • Opportunities