Aaron and Bryce Dessner
Encyclopedia
Aaron
and Bryce Dessner
are twin brothers and members of the rock band The National
. Aaron Dessner
writes 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 and releases by Doveman
and Nico Muhly
.
, Italy
and at the "Guitare Au Palais" Festival at the Palace of the Kings of Majorca
in Perpignan
, France
. They also performed at Matthew Ritchie's
Ghost Operator opening at the White Cube Gallery in London
.
Aaron and Bryce Dessner
curated the Red Hot Compilation
Dark Was the Night
20th Anniversary compilation which features 32 tracks and was released in February 2009. The compilation includes songs from The National, a version of Bob Dylan's
"I Was Young When I Left Home" performed by Antony of Antony and the Johnsons
with Bryce Dessner
on guitar, and a new song "Big Red Machine" written by Aaron Dessner
and Justin Vernon of Bon Iver
. Both performed on Sufjan Stevens
cover of the Castanets song "You Are the Blood." In 2009,The brothers also co-produced the Dark Was the Night
concert at Radio City Music Hall
with the Red Hot Organization
.
They were also a part of the 1990s rock band Project Nim, a progressive ensemble that was formed with Bryan Devendorf, Jenn Howard and another set of brothers, Charles and David Milling. During the late 1990s they toured primarily throughout the Northeastern United States while Bryce finished his academic career at Yale.
. Together they are creating 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
, Matt Berninger
and Shara Worden
.
Aaron Dessner
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...
and Bryce Dessner
Bryce 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...
are twin brothers and members of the rock band 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...
. Aaron Dessner
writes the majority of the music for The National. The brothers are co-founders, alongside Alec Hanley Bemis
Alec Hanley Bemis
Alec Hanley Bemis is a writer and manager for creative cultural projects who lives in New York City.-History:In 2001, Bemis co-founded Brassland with Aaron and Bryce Dessner, twins known for their prominent role in American independent music...
, of Brassland, a label that is home to artists including The National, the 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...
, catalog and releases by 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,...
and Nico Muhly
Nico Muhly
Nico Muhly is a contemporary classical music composer, who has worked and recorded with classical and pop/rock musicians. He currently lives in the Lower East Side section of Manhattan in New York City.-Early years:...
.
History
The two Dessners also write, produce, and perform contemporary music internationally in collaboration with many artists. In August, 2008, Aaron and Bryce performed a collaborative concert with David Cossin, and Luca Tarantino as a part of Soundres, an international residency program for contemporary music and art in SalentoSalento
Salento is the south-eastern extremity of the Apulia region of Italy. It is a sub-peninsula of the main Italian Peninsula, sometimes described as the "heel" of the Italian "boot"...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
and at the "Guitare Au Palais" Festival at the Palace of the Kings of Majorca
Palace of the Kings of Majorca
The Palace of the Kings of Majorca, or Palais des Rois de Majorque in French, is a palace and a fortress with gardens overlooking the city of Perpignan in Pyrenees-Orientales, Languedoc-Roussillon, France.- The Kingdom of Majorca :...
in Perpignan
Perpignan
-Sport:Perpignan is a rugby stronghold: their rugby union side, USA Perpignan, is a regular competitor in the Heineken Cup and seven times champion of the Top 14 , while their rugby league side plays in the engage Super League under the name Catalans Dragons.-Culture:Since 2004, every year in the...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. They also performed at Matthew Ritchie's
Matthew 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...
Ghost Operator opening at the White Cube Gallery in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
Aaron and Bryce Dessner
Bryce 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...
curated the Red Hot Compilation
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...
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...
20th Anniversary compilation which features 32 tracks and was released in February 2009. The compilation includes songs from The National, a version of Bob Dylan's
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
"I Was Young When I Left Home" performed by Antony of Antony and the Johnsons
Antony and the Johnsons
Antony and the Johnsons is a music group presenting the work of Antony Hegarty and his collaborators.-Career:British experimental musician David Tibet of Current 93 heard a demo and offered to release Antony's music through his Durtro label. The debut album, Antony and the Johnsons, was released...
with Bryce Dessner
Bryce 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...
on guitar, and a new song "Big Red Machine" written by Aaron Dessner
Aaron Dessner
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...
and 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...
. Both performed on 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...
cover of the Castanets song "You Are the Blood." In 2009,The brothers also co-produced 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...
concert 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...
with 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...
.
They were also a part of the 1990s rock band Project Nim, a progressive ensemble that was formed with Bryan Devendorf, Jenn Howard and another set of brothers, Charles and David Milling. During the late 1990s they toured primarily throughout the Northeastern United States while Bryce finished his academic career at Yale.
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 they are creating a work loosely based on the Mayan creation story ‘Popol Vuh’ 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 :...
, 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:...
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:...
.
Albums
- Tower of Babel (Project Nim)
- Where the Nothings Live (Project Nim)
- Evenings Pop and Curve (Project Nim)
- The NationalThe National (album)The National is the 2001 debut album by the indie rock band The National. The album features a more country-tinged sound in comparison to future albums...
(October 30, 2001) - Sad Songs for Dirty LoversSad Songs for Dirty LoversSad Songs for Dirty Lovers is the second album by indie rock band The National. Released on September 2, 2003, this is the first album that the band worked with Peter Katis, who would produce the band's next albums Alligator and Boxer....
(September 2, 2003) - AlligatorAlligator (album)Alligator is the third album by Brooklyn-based indie rock band The National, released in April 2005. The album brought The National critical acclaim and led them to headline a tour, with opening act Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. The album was on many year-end top 10 lists, including Uncut and Planet...
(April 12, 2005) - BoxerBoxer (album)Boxer is the fourth studio album by Brooklyn-based indie rock band The National. It was released on May 22, 2007 by Beggars Banquet Records, and has since sold over 300,000 copies worldwide. The album features a guest performance by Sufjan Stevens on "Ada" and "Racing Like a Pro" and backing vocals...
(May 22, 2007) U.S. #68 - High VioletHigh VioletHigh Violet is the fifth studio album by The National, which was released on May 10, 2010 in Europe and on May 11, 2010 in North America via 4AD. The band produced the album themselves assisted by Peter Katis with whom they worked on their previous albums Alligator and Boxer at their own studio in...
(May 10, 2010)
EPs
- Cherry Tree EPCherry Tree (EP)Cherry Tree is an EP by the indie rock band The National, released in July 2004. "Murder Me Rachael" is a live version taken from a Black Sessions recording, while "Reasonable Man " is a song featuring Padma Newsome...
(July 20, 2004) - The Virginia EPThe Virginia EPThe Virginia EP is a 2008 EP/compilation album by The National, released on May 20, 2008 by Beggars Banquet Records. The CD was released along with a DVD featuring the band's documentary film A Skin, a Night by filmmaker Vincent Moon....
(May 20, 2008)
Singles
- "Abel" (Beggars Banquet Records, March 14, 2005)
- "Secret Meeting" (Beggars Banquet Records, August 29, 2005)
- "Lit Up" (Beggars Banquet Records, November 14, 2005)
- "Mistaken for StrangersMistaken for Strangers"Mistaken for Strangers" is a song by Brooklyn-based indie rock band The National from their fourth studio album, Boxer. The song was released on April 30, 2007 in the UK and May 1, 2007 in the US as the album's first single.-Reception:...
" (Beggars Banquet Records, April 30, 2007) - "Apartment StoryApartment Story"Apartment Story" is a song by Brooklyn-based indie rock band The National from their fourth studio album, Boxer. The song was released on November 5, 2007 as the album's second single. The single's B-side is "Mansion on the Hill," originally recorded by Bruce Springsteen on his 1982 album Nebraska...
" (Beggars Banquet Records, November 5, 2007) - "Fake EmpireFake Empire"Fake Empire" is a song by Brooklyn-based indie rock band The National from their fourth studio album, Boxer. The song was released in June 2008 as the album's third and final single.-Production:"Fake Empire" was written by Bryce Dessner of The National...
" (Beggars Banquet Records, June 23, 2008)
External links
- The National (official site)
- Clogs (official site)
- A performance by the Dessners from MusicNOW
- Soundres