Earlier this year, The National superfan, David Letterman, said that there is “nobody cooler” than the band’s frontman, Matt Berninger. Now, the two have come together for a 27-minute-long conversation, in which they discuss The National’s latest albums, Berninger’s creative process, shared experiences of depression, and more.
Arriving as both a podcast and a YouTube video, the chat begins with Letterman interviewing Berninger, but soon develops into a full-fledged conversation, with both men sharing stories from their respective time in the spotlight. Letterman talks a bit about seeing The National live this past year, and praises the band’s tightness. Then, the two discuss the band’s 2023 releases: First Two Pages of Frankenstein and Laugh Track.
Touching on the creative origin of those records, Berninger steered the conversation towards the depression he experienced during the pandemic, which has informed his recent writing. Relating to the experiences, Letterman spoke of his own mental health struggles, and thanked Berninger for his ability to illuminate the subject so articulately in his songs, making for an honestly heart-warming watch. Check it out below.
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This past year, Letterman has expressed admiration for The National loud and proud. In May, he asserted that “They oughta be in the [Rock and Roll] Hall of Fame,” and gushed over their signature style, praising their 2022 single with Bon Iver, “Weird Goodbyes.”
Then, just two weeks ago, when he appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert for his first visit to the Ed Sullivan Theatre since he ended his own show in 2015, Letterman asked The National to join him. The band was touring at the time, but flew to New York at the late-night legend’s behest to perform “Space Invader.” Thanking the band for making the performance happen, Letterman told Colbert that he would “love them forever.”
First Two Pages of Frankenstein arrived this past April, followed up by Laugh Track in September. In October, Berninger confirmed that work on his semi-autobiographical sitcom, Dos Apes, has been underway.
Next year, The National will head down under for an Australian tour in February and March, after which they’ll embark on a European leg. Check out their upcoming dates below, and grab tickets here.
The National 2024 Tour Dates:
02/24 – Auckland, NZ @ Spark Arena
02/25 – Wellington, NZ @ TSB Arena
02/28 – Brisbane, AU @ Riverstage #
03/01 – Sydney, AU @ Aware Super Theatre #
03/05 – Melbourne, AU @ Sidney Myer Music Bowl #
03/09 – Perth, AU @ Kings Park & Botanic Garden #
06/02 – Milan, IT @ Carroponte
06/03 – Rome, IT @ Um Cavea of the Auditorium Parco della Musica
06/05 – Paris, FR @ Zenith de Paris >
06/21 – Scheebel, DE @ Hurricane Festival
06/22 – Neuhausen ob Eck, DE @ Southside Festival
06/24 – Zagreb, HR @ INmusic Festival
06/25 – Vienna, AT @ Stadthalle +
06/27 – Bonn, DE @ Kunst!rasen +
06/28 – Antwerp, BE @ Live is Live Middelvijver
07/02 – Nr St Austell, Cornwall, UK @ Eden Sessions >
07/03 – Cardiff, UK @ Cardiff Castle *
07/04 – Manchester, UK @ Sounds of the City – Castlefield Bowl >
07/05 – London, UK @ Crystal Palace Park *>&
07/01 – Edinburgh, UK @ Edinburgh Castle +
08/06 – Copenhagen, DK @ Royal Arena
# = w/ Fleet Foxes and Annie Hamilton
> = w/ This Is the Kit
+ = w/ Bess Atwell
* = w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
& = w/ Kevin Morby
