Aaron Dessner Quotes

Aaron Dessner is a talented musician, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. As a founding member of the indie rock band The National, Dessner has played a crucial role in shaping the band's sound and success. His musical expertise, creativity, and collaboration with various artists have solidified his reputation as a respected figure in the music industry.

I had been living with my family in France as COVID was starting to spiral out of control in Europe. I said to my wife that maybe they should come back to the States with me because I was worried about getting separated.

David Longstreth is one of the great guitar heroes... -Aaron Dessner

David Longstreth is one of the great guitar heroes of our generation.

Our recordings, you feel that it's been, not labored, but you feel that it's been constructed in a way where sometimes it's hard for us to create the feeling that this was done in a room.

I think the idea is that every time we perform Big Red Machine music it should be different somehow - like, different people, different songs maybe, definitely different versions of the songs.

I tried hard not to think about the scope or scale of making a record that would be heard by millions and millions of people. I did a pretty good job of tuning that out.

If I'm not working on music, I'm probably torturing my infant daughter, Ingrid, with kisses or running or playing soccer in the park.

Our writing, especially during 'Boxer' - the recording process was the writing process, which is not the way I would advise anyone else to do it.

I do have a way of playing piano where it's very melodic and emotional, but then often it's great if whoever's singing doesn't sing exactly what's in the piano melody, but maybe it's connected in some way.

The National's favorite experiences as musicians are when we are collaborating with people a little outside of our world as a band.

From the very beginning, we just sort of made things up together. That's one of the great things about having a twin brother; you have a sort of feedback loop, where you can bounce things off of each other.

I guess I like minor chords better than major ones... -Aaron Dessner

I guess I like minor chords better than major ones, in general.

The National guys will tell you the same thing - I... -Aaron Dessner

The National guys will tell you the same thing - I tend to work until the last possible minute.

It's very exciting to have a festival in the heart of Boston. It's an amazing experience to be in a city and to be able to walk in and out of a festival. I think that's part of what's going to make Boston Calling really special.

Anyone who's speaking up about anything becomes a ... -Aaron Dessner

Anyone who's speaking up about anything becomes a target.

There have definitely been phases of the National, many years ago, where we did party, and various people, in their own way, fell off the wagon.

When you're working with someone new, it takes a second to understand their instincts and range. It's not really conscious.

After years of touring you experience music festivals that are mostly the same - where you copy and paste the same experience into a muddy field in California or a muddy field in England.

Seven' is this kind of nostalgic, emotional folk s... -Aaron Dessner

Seven' is this kind of nostalgic, emotional folk song.

I always want to have time to experiment, and have transitional things, and have these weird non-songs, but usually the stuff I'm working on comes down to this weird deadline, where it just never happens, and it's kind of a bummer.

I am an expert at applying premade pesto to pasta.... -Aaron Dessner

I am an expert at applying premade pesto to pasta.

Big Red Machine is really a community effort: I guess it involves almost 30 musicians. It does come out of our friendship, but it's really something that is deeply collaborative.

I used to think of 'alternative rock' as a radio format, kind of the way 'indie rock' used to have more meaning. But it means different things depending on where you are or what country you're in.

Whenever I write anything, I do sing to it, to try and make sure it's interesting or compelling to sing to. I've gotten in the habit of sharing that with other, more charismatic vocalists.

I grew up fly fishing when I was a kid. The feeling of it is fun. I went fly-fishing on Lake Delaware once, and I caught a record brook trout.

I kind of love opening, because it's easier and kind of just more fun to get up and play fast and furious and have a good time.

But I'd say recording and playing on stage are two completely different things. Being up there in front of all those people is like jumping off a cliff into icy water. The recording process is a totally different energy.

Die Like a Rich Boy' has, for me, some of the strongest lyrical content I've heard in many years; an epic love song laced with dark imagery and acerbic social criticism.

My wife is from Copenhagen and her father has been... -Aaron Dessner

My wife is from Copenhagen and her father has been a huge Liverpool supporter since the early 1960s.

There are people who want to hear what they consider your hits. There are people who want you to experiment and explore random, rare things. And it's kind of a different; they're two different beasts.

White people need to wake up and tell the truth about US history and the inequality and the ways in which racism is so entrenched.

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