There’s a recent article in the New York Times detailing the making of this album and their history. Check it out here if you’re interested in reading it or hearing the new album.

I loved this quote from the lead singer, Matt Berninger:

“We never had a breakthrough moment,” says Matt. “People seemed to fall for us after listening to our records many, many times. The corporate model has collapsed, but small-label bands playing to 200 people a night can pay the bills and raise a family on it. That’s why we’ll have better and more interesting innovations.”

This is one of those quotes that inspires me. While sometimes I think it would be nice to be an artist on the level of a U2, I think I really truly aspire to be an artist along the lines of The National. They made a remarkably acclaimed album in 2007 called “The Boxer” and seem to only be getting better. They’re still growing and exploring and embracing the idea of what it means to be artists.

Sounds pretty cool to me.