The National: American Rock Band Career and Biography

The National: American Rock Band Career and Biography


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The National is an indie rock band formed in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1999. The band consists of five members: Matt Berninger (vocals), Aaron Dessner (guitar, bass, piano), Bryce Dessner (guitar), Scott Devendorf (bass, guitar) and Bryan Devendorf (drums). They are known for their moody baritone vocals, rich arrangements, and introspective lyrics.

Early Life and Career

The band’s lead vocalist, Matt Berninger, was born on February 13, 1971. He studied graphic design at the University of Cincinnati and initially worked in advertising before pursuing music full-time. The band’s other members also hail from Ohio and all met while attending Cincinnati’s St. Xavier High School.

The National’s first album, “The National,” was released in 2001. They gained critical acclaim with their third album, “Alligator,” in 2005, which received a score of 89 out of 100 on Metacritic. Their subsequent albums, “Boxer” (2007), “High Violet” (2010), and “Trouble Will Find Me” (2013), continued to receive critical acclaim and commercial success.

Discography

Here is a list of The National’s studio albums:

Reputations

The National has been praised for their mournful yet triumphant songs, which feature lush orchestration and Berninger’s raw yet poetic lyrics. Their music has been described as “elegantly crafted, slow-burning rock songs” by Pitchfork. The band has been compared to artists like Leonard Cohen, Nick Cave, and Joy Division.

Social Media

The National is active on several social media platforms, including:

Personal Life

Matt Berninger is married to Carin Besser, a former The New Yorker fiction editor. They have two children together. The Dessner brothers are twins and also work as composers and producers. Devendorf brothers are siblings, currently resides in Brooklyn.

The National are known for their environmental activism, and have organized several benefit concerts for environmental causes. They are also involved in various philanthropic endeavors, working with organizations such as KEXP and the Red Hook Community Justice Center.

Net Worth

According to Celebrity Net Worth, The National has an estimated net worth of $10 million USD. In naira, it is around NGN 4,163,500,000, CAD 12,701,500, GHS 58,015,000, KES 1,087,600,000, ZAR 136,298,500, UGX 37,263,500, and INR 732,174,500 respectively.

Awards and Nominations

The National has received numerous award nominations throughout their career, including several Grammy nominations. They won a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album for “Sleep Well Beast” in 2018. Among many other well-known music awards and nominations.