Aaron Dessner
Encyclopedia
Aaron Dessner is a founding member of The National
. Together with Matt Berninger, who writes the lyrics, Aaron writes much of the music for the band. He is a Brooklyn
-based, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer.
, Clogs
, Doveman
, Final Fantasy
, Feist, Grizzly Bear
, Hayden
, Justin Vernon and My Brightest Diamond
.
produced an extensive AIDS charity compilation, Dark Was the Night, for the Red Hot Organization
. The record features exclusive new recordings and collaborations from a long list of artists including David Byrne
, Arcade Fire, Sufjan Stevens
, Feist, Sharon Jones, Cat Power
, Grizzly Bear
, My Morning Jacket
, and Spoon
. Dark Was the Night has raised over 1.5 million dollars for AIDS charities as of January 2011.
On May 3, 2009 4AD and Red Hot
produced Dark Was the Night - Live, a concert commemorating the newest Red Hot album. The show took place at Radio City Music Hall
and featured several of the artists that contributed to the compilation.
are frequent collaborators with a wide range of musicians. In 2009, Aaron contributed a track to the Dark Was the Night
compilation. This track, "Big Red Machine", was co-written with Justin Vernon of Bon Iver
, and was also featured in the 2010 documentary, Last Minutes with ODEN, a short documentary that later went on to win the overall Best Video Award at the first annual Vimeo
Awards ceremony. Justin and Aaron collaborated once again at the 2010 MusicNOW Festival
, performing together a cover of Sharon Van Etten's
"Love More." In 2008, Aaron premiered sketches with Thomas Bartlett (Doveman
) at the same event.
Marshall Curry
's award winning documentary Racing Dreams includes music contributed by both Aaron and The National
. "Win Win" directed by Thomas McCarthy
closes with "Think You Can Wait," a track written by Aaron and Matt Berninger
, recorded by The National
with additional vocals from Sharon Van Etten
.
2009 release, The Conformist, and Sharon Van Etten
's latest album, which is set for release in early 2012 by Jagjaguwar
. It will be Sharon Van Etten
's third full-length release, and the follow-up to 2010's acclaimed Epic
.
. Together created a work loosely based on the Mayan creation story Popol Vuh
that includes a 12 piece orchestra and four guest singers; Kim Deal
, Kelley Deal
, Matthew Berninger, and Shara Worden
.
The National (band)
The National is an indie rock band formed in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1999 and currently based in Brooklyn, New York. The band's lyrics are written and sung by Matt Berninger, a baritone...
. Together with Matt Berninger, who writes the lyrics, Aaron writes much of the music for the band. He is a Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
-based, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer.
Guest Performer
In addition to extensive touring and performances with the National, Aaron has performed with and supported David ByrneDavid Byrne
David Byrne may refer to:*David Byrne , musician and former Talking Heads frontman**David Byrne , his eponymous album*David Byrne , Irish footballer*David Byrne , English footballer...
, Clogs
Clogs (band)
Clogs are a mostly instrumental project led by Bryce Dessner and Australia's Padma Newsome. Their existence predates Dessner's other band The National...
, Doveman
Doveman
Doveman is a band founded by Thomas Bartlett. Originally from Vermont, Bartlett studied piano in London with Maria Curcio before moving to New York City to attend Columbia University. He attended Columbia for one year, when he left to focus on his studies of classical music. After leaving Columbia,...
, Final Fantasy
Owen Pallett
Michael James Owen Pallett is a Canadian composer, violinist, keyboardist, and vocalist from Toronto, Ontario. He won the 2006 Polaris Music Prize for the album He Poos Clouds....
, Feist, Grizzly Bear
Grizzly Bear (band)
Grizzly Bear is a Brooklyn-based indie rock band, composed of Edward Droste , Daniel Rossen , Chris Taylor and Christopher Bear . The band employs traditional and electronic instruments...
, Hayden
Hayden (musician)
Paul Hayden Desser who records as Hayden, is a Canadian singer-songwriter from Thornhill, Ontario.His early works are a largely eclectic mix of genres from grunge rock to alt country, as demonstrated by his first full album, Everything I Long For, released in 1995. Since then his work has become...
, Justin Vernon and My Brightest Diamond
My Brightest Diamond
My Brightest Diamond is the project of singer–songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Shara Worden. The band has released two studio albums, 2006's Bring Me the Workhorse and 2008's A Thousand Shark's Teeth, along with a remix album Tear It Down and a download-only release through iTunes...
.
Dark Was the Night
In 2009, brothers Aaron and Bryce DessnerBryce Dessner
Bryce Dessner is a Brooklyn based composer, guitarist, and curator primarily known as a member of The National. In addition to his work with The National, he is a founding member of Clogs, and the founder of the MusicNOW Festival. Bryce has a master's degree in classical guitar from Yale University...
produced an extensive AIDS charity compilation, Dark Was the Night, for the Red Hot Organization
Red Hot Organization
Red Hot Organization is a not-for-profit, 501 3, international organization dedicated to fighting AIDS through pop culture.Since its inception in 1989, over 400 artists, producers and directors have contributed to over 15 compilation albums, related television programs and media events to raise...
. The record features exclusive new recordings and collaborations from a long list of artists including David Byrne
David Byrne
David Byrne may refer to:*David Byrne , musician and former Talking Heads frontman**David Byrne , his eponymous album*David Byrne , Irish footballer*David Byrne , English footballer...
, Arcade Fire, Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens is an American singer-songwriter and musician born in Detroit, Michigan. Stevens first began releasing his music on Asthmatic Kitty, a label co-founded with his stepfather, beginning with the 1999 release, A Sun Came...
, Feist, Sharon Jones, Cat Power
Cat Power
Charlyn Marie Marshall , also known as Chan Marshall or by her stage name Cat Power, is an American singer/songwriter and occasional actress and model. Cat Power was originally the name of Marshall's first band, but has come to refer to her musical projects with various backing bands...
, Grizzly Bear
Grizzly Bear (band)
Grizzly Bear is a Brooklyn-based indie rock band, composed of Edward Droste , Daniel Rossen , Chris Taylor and Christopher Bear . The band employs traditional and electronic instruments...
, My Morning Jacket
My Morning Jacket
My Morning Jacket is an American rock band from Louisville, Kentucky.The band consists of Jim James , Tom 'Two-Tone Tommy' Blankenship , Patrick Hallahan , Carl Broemel , and Bo Koster .-History:My Morning Jacket was...
, and Spoon
Spoon (band)
Spoon is an American rock band formed in Austin, Texas. The band is composed of Britt Daniel ; Jim Eno ; Rob Pope and Eric Harvey .-History:...
. Dark Was the Night has raised over 1.5 million dollars for AIDS charities as of January 2011.
On May 3, 2009 4AD and Red Hot
Red Hot Organization
Red Hot Organization is a not-for-profit, 501 3, international organization dedicated to fighting AIDS through pop culture.Since its inception in 1989, over 400 artists, producers and directors have contributed to over 15 compilation albums, related television programs and media events to raise...
produced Dark Was the Night - Live, a concert commemorating the newest Red Hot album. The show took place at Radio City Music Hall
Radio City Music Hall
Radio City Music Hall is an entertainment venue located in New York City's Rockefeller Center. Its nickname is the Showplace of the Nation, and it was for a time the leading tourist destination in the city...
and featured several of the artists that contributed to the compilation.
Collaborations and Contributions
Aaron and Bryce DessnerAaron and Bryce Dessner
Aaron and Bryce Dessner are twin brothers and members of the rock band The National. Aaron Dessnerwrites the majority of the music for The National. The brothers are co-founders, alongside Alec Hanley Bemis, of Brassland, a label that is home to artists including The National, the Clogs, catalog...
are frequent collaborators with a wide range of musicians. In 2009, Aaron contributed a track to the Dark Was the Night
Dark Was the Night
Dark Was the Night is the twentieth compilation release benefiting the Red Hot Organization, an international charity dedicated to raising funds and awareness for HIV and AIDS...
compilation. This track, "Big Red Machine", was co-written with Justin Vernon of Bon Iver
Bon Iver
Bon Iver is a Grammy nominated folk band founded in 2007 by American indie folk singer-songwriter Justin Vernon. It includes Michael Noyce, Sean Carey, and Matthew McCaughan. Vernon released Bon Iver's debut album, For Emma, Forever Ago independently in July 2007. The majority of that album was...
, and was also featured in the 2010 documentary, Last Minutes with ODEN, a short documentary that later went on to win the overall Best Video Award at the first annual Vimeo
Vimeo
Vimeo is a video-sharing website on which users can upload, share, and view videos. It was founded by Zach Klein and Jake Lodwick in November 2004...
Awards ceremony. Justin and Aaron collaborated once again at the 2010 MusicNOW Festival
MusicNOW Festival
The MusicNOW Festival was founded in 2006 in Cincinnati, Ohio, by guitarist and composer, Bryce Dessner. Originally held at the Contemporary Arts Center, then moved to Memorial Hall, a small historic theater located in the city's historic Over-the-Rhine district...
, performing together a cover of Sharon Van Etten's
Sharon Van Etten
Sharon Van Etten is an American singer-songwriter based in Brooklyn, New York City.Her songs were described by the music website Pitchfork Media as having "some echoes of folk tradition but generally in a more personal, introspective space." NPR Music asserts: "Her songs are heartfelt without being...
"Love More." In 2008, Aaron premiered sketches with Thomas Bartlett (Doveman
Doveman
Doveman is a band founded by Thomas Bartlett. Originally from Vermont, Bartlett studied piano in London with Maria Curcio before moving to New York City to attend Columbia University. He attended Columbia for one year, when he left to focus on his studies of classical music. After leaving Columbia,...
) at the same event.
Marshall Curry
Marshall Curry
Marshall Curry is a documentary filmmaker. His first feature-length film, Street Fight, was nominated for an Academy Award and a News and Documentary Emmy. His second film, Racing Dreams, won Best Documentary and was runner up for the Audience Award at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2009...
's award winning documentary Racing Dreams includes music contributed by both Aaron and The National
The National (band)
The National is an indie rock band formed in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1999 and currently based in Brooklyn, New York. The band's lyrics are written and sung by Matt Berninger, a baritone...
. "Win Win" directed by Thomas McCarthy
Thomas McCarthy (actor)
Thomas Joseph McCarthy is an American actor, writer, and film director who has appeared in several movies, including Meet the Parents and Good Night, and Good Luck, and television shows such as The Wire, Boston Public, Law & Order, and the Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation of Saint Maybe...
closes with "Think You Can Wait," a track written by Aaron and Matt Berninger
Matt Berninger
Matt Berninger is a Cincinnati native, Brooklyn based singer/songwriter, primarily known as the frontman of indie rock band The National.-Vocals:...
, recorded by The National
The National (band)
The National is an indie rock band formed in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1999 and currently based in Brooklyn, New York. The band's lyrics are written and sung by Matt Berninger, a baritone...
with additional vocals from Sharon Van Etten
Sharon Van Etten
Sharon Van Etten is an American singer-songwriter based in Brooklyn, New York City.Her songs were described by the music website Pitchfork Media as having "some echoes of folk tradition but generally in a more personal, introspective space." NPR Music asserts: "Her songs are heartfelt without being...
.
Producer
Production credits include Doveman'sDoveman
Doveman is a band founded by Thomas Bartlett. Originally from Vermont, Bartlett studied piano in London with Maria Curcio before moving to New York City to attend Columbia University. He attended Columbia for one year, when he left to focus on his studies of classical music. After leaving Columbia,...
2009 release, The Conformist, and Sharon Van Etten
Sharon Van Etten
Sharon Van Etten is an American singer-songwriter based in Brooklyn, New York City.Her songs were described by the music website Pitchfork Media as having "some echoes of folk tradition but generally in a more personal, introspective space." NPR Music asserts: "Her songs are heartfelt without being...
's latest album, which is set for release in early 2012 by Jagjaguwar
Jagjaguwar
Jagjaguwar is an indie rock record label based in Bloomington, Indiana.-History:In 1996, in Charlottesville, Virginia, friends of Darius Van Arman who performed in a band under the moniker The Curious Digit had just recorded a new album, but they were signed to no label...
. It will be Sharon Van Etten
Sharon Van Etten
Sharon Van Etten is an American singer-songwriter based in Brooklyn, New York City.Her songs were described by the music website Pitchfork Media as having "some echoes of folk tradition but generally in a more personal, introspective space." NPR Music asserts: "Her songs are heartfelt without being...
's third full-length release, and the follow-up to 2010's acclaimed Epic
Epic (Sharon Van Etten album)
Epic is the second album by American singer–songwriter Sharon Van Etten. The final song on the album, Love More has been covered in concert by high profile artists such as Bon Iver, Dave Alvin, and The National. The album was released on September 21, 2010 to critical acclaim.-Track listing:All...
.
The Long Count
The Long Count is a large commission for the BAM Next Wave Festival that finds Bryce and Aaron working alongside visual artist Matthew RitchieMatthew Ritchie
Ritchie attended the Camberwell School of Art 1983-86. He describes himself as "classically trained" but also points to a minimalist influence.Ritchie's art revolves around a personal mythology drawn from creation myths, particle physics, thermodynamics, and games of chance, among other...
. Together created a work loosely based on the Mayan creation story Popol Vuh
Popol Vuh
Popol Vuh is a corpus of mytho-historical narratives of the Post Classic Quiché kingdom in Guatemala's western highlands. The title translates as "Book of the Community," "Book of Counsel," or more literally as "Book of the People."...
that includes a 12 piece orchestra and four guest singers; Kim Deal
Kim Deal
Kimberley Ann Deal is an American singer, songwriter and musician, best known as the bassist of the alternative rock band the Pixies and the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for The Breeders. Deal first joined the Pixies in January 1986 as the band's bassist, adopting the stage name Mrs...
, Kelley Deal
Kelley Deal
Kelley Deal is an American musician. The identical twin sister of Kim Deal, she is the lead guitarist of The Breeders, besides having a solo career.- Early days :...
, Matthew Berninger, and Shara Worden
Shara Worden
Shara Worden is the lead singer and songwriter for My Brightest Diamond. She was previously a backup vocalist for Sufjan Stevens and the frontwoman of Awry.-Life:...
.
External links
- official site of The NationalThe National (band)The National is an indie rock band formed in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1999 and currently based in Brooklyn, New York. The band's lyrics are written and sung by Matt Berninger, a baritone...
- official site of Dark Was the NightDark Was the NightDark Was the Night is the twentieth compilation release benefiting the Red Hot Organization, an international charity dedicated to raising funds and awareness for HIV and AIDS...
- interview with Aquarium Drunkard
- interview with Pitchfork (the National and production projects