The National

I’ve been trying to catch up on some PVR’d interviews I have recorded – I love Jian Ghomeshi’s show The Q, on CBC. I love this kind of programme because humans fascinate me. I like hearing about people’s lives, and about their projects, and about the art they make.

Mr. Ghomeshi spoke with Billy Crystal, and then with John Malkovitch – both terrific talks to watch – and then the music segment featured Brooklyn-based The National. Interestingly, there are two pairs of brothers in this band – one pair are twins. *shrugs* Neat!

I only knew this band a little bit before this, but I was just struck by this hauntingly gorgeous song. It’s melancholy and meaty – it has weight. They remind me a little bit of Joy Division. And I mean that in the best possible way.

And melodic trumpets always make me swoon. [Sidenote: My very favourite and best music teacher played the trumpet as his primary instrument, and though mine was the flute, he taught me to play the trumpet a little bit… but I really didn’t have the chops – the impossibility of the omberture just killed me. Plus I was a little afraid it would make my lips even bigger. So. But oh, how I loved Mr. Grimble. Thanks for being so patient, sir!]

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Also? I find it refreshing to see people make music, who don’t seem to be obsessed with looking all hot and sexy every goddamned minute. You know what I mean?

Check out the show sometime, if you haven’t already. And Mr. Ghomeshi released a book last year (and he was kind enough to sign it for me) – a memoir called 1982 – I read it in October, and it had me LAUGHING OUT LOUD on an airplane, so hard, I swear the pilot was all, “Do not make me turn this plane around, missy!”

Enjoy!