The National perform an intimate show live in the UBS Forum
by Mary Lucia, The National and Leah Garaas
August 13, 2013
Ahead of last Tuesday's generous 23-song set at Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul, The National stopped by to play songs off their latest record Trouble Will Find Me in Minnesota Public Radio's UBS Forum.
Between songs, host Mary Lucia asked about how the band's collaborative approach to Trouble Will Find Me differed from their past efforts. After five albums, frontmant Matt Berninger says recording Trouble was more casual because they've made peace with their dynamic and are more understanding of the necessary tension that their creative process requires while songwriting.
Though creative tension may have been the demise of The Replacements, Berninger is happy to hear the legendary Minneapolis band is getting back together for upcoming Riot Fest dates.
And so Lucia posed the inevitable Let It Be question. In "Don't Swallow the Cap," lyrics read "Play 'Let It Be' (pat yourself on the back) / or 'Nevermind' (dead seriously)." Which band is being referenced, The Replacements or The Beatles? Matt pleases The Replacements' hometown crowd maintaining he was a bigger fan of the Minneapolis band than The Beatles growing up as a kid. Good answer, Matt.
With it's recent appearance at the Tribeca film Festival, Lucia asked about Mistaken for Strangers, a documentary which was filmed by Berninger's younger brother Tom during The National's High Violet tour. With over 200 hours of footage, Mistaken documents more than a tour - it has themes of family, relationships, and creative challenges.
Listen to the full in-studio audio above to hear Matt talk more about his brother's suddenly skyrocketing film career, skinny jeans, and his surprising Smiths listening go-to spot.
Songs Performed
"This Is the Last Time"
"Don't Swallow the Cap"
"I Need My Girl"
"Sea of Love"
"Pink Rabbits"
"Graceless"
All songs off The National's latest record Trouble Will Find Me, out now on 4AD.
Produced by Jade
Engineered by Mike Demark, Maury Jensen, and assistant Joe Kimball
