The National announces May tour, various other stuff

Wise and benevolent creator of Paste's 2007 Album of the Year, The National, is back and hard at work.

The five guys from Cincy (who now reside in NYC) have announced a handful of tour dates for the U.S. and Canada in the month of May. A MySpace blog entry from the band says it will test out new songs on audiences, which begs the question: When will The National release a follow-up to its critically acclaimed fourth album, Boxer? According to a previous MySpace blog entry, the album is in the early stages. "We will let you know when we can what the plans are for its release, but it's likely to find its way to you in 2010," the entry reads. (Say, maybe they should spend less time blogging and more time recording. We kid because we love, National!)

Also, the Dessner brothers, Aaron (bass) and Bryce (guitar), produced a charity compilation that will be released Feb. 17 in an effort to prevent the spread of AIDS. The 31-track Dark Was the Night features numerous exclusive tracks, including new cuts from The National, Feist, My Morning Jacket, Arcade Fire and others. The brothers are also in a group called Clogs, which will be playing in New York Feb. 26 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

Dates:

May
21 - Toronto, Ontario @ Kool Haus
22 - Montreal, Quebec @ Metropolis
23 - Boston, Mass. @ House of Blues
24 - Washington, D.C. @ 9:30 Club
25 - Washington, D.C. @ 9:30 Club
27 - Atlanta, Ga. @ Variety Playhouse
28 - Raleigh, N.C. @ Lincoln Theater
29 - Philadelphia, Pa. @ Electric Factory

Related links:
News David Byrne, Sufjan Stevens, Gillian Welch, The National, Feist, many more contribute to Dark was the Night comp
Review: The National - A Skin, A Night/The Virginia EP
Feature: Matt Berninger of The National explains Boxer lyrics

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