Pages tagged “the national”

The National announces May tour, various other stuff

By Joe Shearer on 1:56 PM on February 12, 2009

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

Found in: News

A Dozen Ways Sufjan Stevens Spent 2008

By Josh Jackson on 1:00 AM on January 12, 2009

Brian Wilson finally gave us a Smile in 2007. Chinese Democracy miraculously saw the light of day last year. Would it be too much to hope that 2009 is the year of Oregon? Or New Jersey? Or even a Rhode Island EP? Sufjan Stevens' second of his proposed 50-state project was Paste's album of the year way back in 2005, and he's been pretty coy about whether he's planning a follow-up or even whether he was ever serious about the project. Still, he's been doing more than learning how to hula hoop over the last 12 months. Here's a dozen... read more

Found in: Blogs, List of the Day

David Byrne, Sufjan Stevens, Gillian Welch, The National, Feist, many more contribute to Dark Was the Night comp

By Austin L. Ray on 2:18 PM on December 1, 2008

Today is World AIDS Day. Appropriately enough, it's also the day that the line-up was revealed for Dark Was the Night, a compilation release which will benefit AIDS/HIV awareness group, The Red Hot Organization.... read more

Found in: Culture, News

Seven Style Songs to Help You Get Dressed

By Kate Kiefer on 7:14 AM on November 6, 2008

In honor of Paste’s new Lifestyle section (look for its debut in the Dec/Jan issue), let’s put together an outfit using seven of the best songs about fashion. Start with the main attraction: a pretty dress. Pick a black one that gets you lots of compliments. 1.Sufjan Stevens “That Dress Looks Nice On You"... read more

Found in: Blogs, List of the Day

The National: A Skin, A Night/The Virginia EP

By Jeff Leven on 4:00 PM on October 21, 2008

The National is an intensely necessary band right now... read more

Found in: Movies, Reviews

Catching Up With... Shugo Tokumaru

By Sean Edgar on 3:00 PM on October 7, 2008

[Above: Tokumaru performs at the Mercury Lounge.]On September 23rd, Toyko-based singer/songwriter Shugo Tokumaru made his New York City debut at the Mercury Lounge with an unconventional backing band: Jon Natchez and Perrin Cloutier of Beirut, Bryan Devendorf of The National and Lawson White of So Percussion joined the eclectic pop singer for a vibrant performance at a capacity house. It was an odd but welcome sight to see an artist from the other side of the world, who's seen little exposure in Western entertainment media (even these blog things we're hearing so much about), embraced with such fanfare. But one listen to Tokumaru’s latest record, Exit... read more

Found in: Local:NYC

Ryan Adams, Zach Galifianakis, more join Merge 20th set

By Loren Lankford on 9:39 AM on September 17, 2008

As previously reported, Merge records is celebrating its first 20 years with a uber-special box set, released in 14 special editions and curated by some special musically inclined guests. Already announced? The currently guitar-less Peter Buck (of R.E.M.) and Junebug director Phil Morrison. Think that's exciting? Just wait until you hear who else the indie label has on the dock for your listening pleasure.... read more

Found in: Music, News

Matt Berninger of The National explains Boxer lyrics

By Jason Killingsworth on 5:57 PM on September 12, 2008

When music critics talk about Matt Berninger, lead singer of chamber-rock band The National, it’s usually in the context of discussing his baritone singing voice. (He jokes that it’s been compared to every brand of whiskey in existence.) But, while his voice does take you off guard, I’ve always been more fascinated with the lyrics he writes. Berninger adds just enough concrete detail to keep the songs grounded in reality but leaves the edges jagged and impressionistic so your mind is free to wander where it will. When I sat down with the band in September of 2007, I asked... read more

Found in: Music, Features

Fun Fun Fun Festival announces dates and line-up

By Loren Lankford on 10:15 AM on September 10, 2008

SXSW may be more popular, but it certainly isn't the only music festival rocking Austin, Texas, yearly. Beat the heat (and the crowds) at Transmission Entertainment's Fun Fun Fun Festival, which is held in Waterloo Park Nov. 8-9, features punk-rock legends (ALL, Flipper, Bad Brains) rubbing elbows with newer indie bands (Deerhoof, St. Vincent, The National), plus a whole host of other activities including band dunking booths, tattoo stands and comedy shows.... read more

Found in: Music, News