REVIEW: CRYSTAL ECKSTADT | This was a night to remember, a more unassuming affair than one might suppose. But this is The National after all, and everything they do is unassuming—yet it’s not. To channel rock music into the gamut of existence and its myriad of emotions is what they do. As such, it’s not surprising then that they teamed up with Academy Award-nominated director, screenwriter, and graphic artist Mike Mills to create a short film starring Oscar winner Alicia Vikander.
I Am Easy to Find is a superb emotive piece tracing the fragments of a life. The score created by The National is the foundation for their new album, also entitled I Am Easy To Find. A five-city tour, “A Special Evening with The National,” that is drawing near its conclusion, gives the audience a chance to screen the film and hear the much-anticipated new music.
After the screening, a Q&A is hosted by Carrie Brownstein with Matt Berninger, Bryce Dessner, Alicia Vikander, and Mike Mills on the panel. Regarding the making of the film, Vikander said that it was one of the best artistic experiences she’s ever had. Following the Q&A, The National then took the stage joined by both Feist and Phoebe Bridgers.
Along with Matt Berninger, French singer Mina Tindle and Kate Stables of This Is the Kit were up front showcasing the direction of the female influence on the up-and-coming album. Feist joined for “Hey Rosey,” “Hairpin Turns,” and the currently released “You Had Your Soul With You.” Phoebe Bridgers joined for the unreleased “Where Is Her Head” and “Rylan.” Yet, if anyone was longing for older music, it was not forgotten. The encore included “The System Only Dreams In Total Darkness,” “Bloodbuzz Ohio,” “I Need My Girl,” and “Fake Empire.”
If you missed the “A Special Evening with The National” tour, there will be a May 7th screening at The Theatre at the Ace Hotel in Los Angeles before they embark on a world tour supported by Alvvays and Courtney Barnett. In a bold move, proceeds from the North American leg of this tour are going to support Planned Parenthood.
