twirl: loving | the national

There was a time when I didn't really like The National. The band’s baritone vocals and sometimes somber lyrics had me thinking their songs were dull and depressing. My husband had been a fan of theirs for years, though, so naturally their music made frequent appearances on our playlists. And then one day, I just sort of started liking them. I think "So Far Around the Bend" got me there – it remains one of my favorite National songs and one of my favorite songs of all time. When High Violet came out, I added them to my regular music rotation and by the time their newest album, Trouble Will Find Me, was released, I was a fan. We got tickets to see them here in Charlotte at the lovely Fillmore and I was excited to see them live now that I actually liked them.

The show was last Wednesday and you guys… I fell in love. Hard. It’s kind of like when a good friend becomes that perfect someone and you realize that up until you had them in your life you were missing a piece of yourself but didn't know you were missing it. Dramatic? Sure. But it’s the perfect metaphor because looking back, I truly can’t believe that I waited so long to love this band. I’m a girl who loves emotion and beautiful melodies and poetic lyrics in my music, which pretty much encapsulates The National. I just didn't notice it until they were right in front of my face.

And y’all – Matt Berninger. What a fox. During the show, he sang "Mr. November" and jumped off the stage and the crowd parted and he climbed up on the railing right in front of me. He was singing in my face. I touched him. I realize how ridiculous it sounds for a 35-year-old woman to be swooning in this manner, but I cannot help it. Yes, Matt, you are the one I think about when I’m sitting in my fainting chair drinking Pink Rabbits. In fact, I kind of need a fainting chair when I think of you.

In all seriousness, though, the show was phenomenal. It’s at the tippy top of my “Best of” list. Oh, and I forgot to mention, when we were eating at the diner before the show, Scott and Bryan (drummer and guitarist, respectively) were eating at the counter and my husband asked the waitress to put their meal on our tab. After dinner, they stopped by and thanked us and introduced themselves and they were super nice guys. It makes me happy to think that this band that I love is made up of genuinely down-to-earth dudes.