To start off, I would like to congratulate you guys on the release of Boxer, which I can already tell is going to be at the top of everyone's list for album of the year.

(Eric Rankin, Interviewer) The orchestration on Boxer is one of the stand out characteristics of the album. How did Padma Newsome end up working with you guys?

(Matt Berninger, Lead Singer of The National) We've worked with Padma since Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers. He's also in Bryce's other group Clogs. On Boxer, Padma was brought into the process earlier than on the other records and his contributions were much more thought through. We wanted to make sure the orchestration was more than just supportive. We wanted every instrument to be heard and have a voice and purpose, not just be there for ornamentation.

(ER) The lyrics throughout Boxer have a literary quality that ties the album together. Are there any authors that have influenced your writing style?

(MB) While working on Boxer I kept going back to Grace Paley's short story collection "Enormous Changes at the Last Minute." I had also been reading a lot of Jonathan Ames at the time. I sometimes steal tricks and turns of phrase from things I'm reading but I probably borrow as much from movies and TV as I do from literature.

(ER) As a kid I had always wished that my brother played an instrument so that we could start a little family band. The National have the peculiar factor of having two sets of brothers in the band. How does this affect the songwriting and relationship among band members?

(MB) Those guys have been playing together since they were kids so they have a good synergy and the fact that no one person is in charge allows us to tear songs apart without anyone's ego getting bruised. its all very collaborative.

(ER) How was the band formed?

(MB) We all ended up in New York about 12 years ago for different reasons; school, work, etc. About seven years ago we started getting together on weekends and after work and recording little song sketches on a four track. We did that for a long time until we decided we might as well put some of these together for a record. Things evolved very slowly. We never expected to get to where we are now. It was always just some thing we did on the side as a means of escape.

(ER) What is the writing process involve? Are lyrics and music written completely separate from eachother?

(MB) They pass along simple music ideas that I listen to over and over on my headphones and write lyrics to. We pass stuff back and forth for a while then start building and arranging the sketches we're all most excited about. It's a gradual process.

(ER) What's your relationship with Beggars Banquet like?

They're great. They let us do what we want.

(ER) Sufjan Stevens' piano playing seamlessly entered in to Ada and Racing like a Pro. What was the chemistry like between the band and Sufjan?

(MB) Bryce has toured with Sufjan so they've known each other for a while. He lives in the neighborhood and just came over one day to play a little on a few songs. It was a very casual collaboration.

(ER) Is there a message you're trying to drive home with Boxer?

(MB) Not at all. I'm not exactly sure what some of it's about.

(ER) Was there a moment in your life that inspired you to dedicate yourself to music? What keeps you going?

(MB) I sorta fell into it by accident and luck. I can't play any instruments so Scott asked me if I wanted to sing.

I would like to thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. I'm sure this interview will be appreciated by your fans, and hopefully create quite a few new ones.

Eric J Rankin 06/25/07