The National @ 9:30 Club

It's Wednesday and there isn't a lot happening tonight. However, one of the biggest indie bands of the year is headlining 9:30 Club. Fresh off of their tour with The Arcade Fire, The National will be in town supported by Shapes and Sizes and Talkdemonic. Following the normal DC trend for indie darlings (warranted or not)*, the show is of course sold out. However, I'm sure that you can find a way to get in if you really want to. If not, you can stream the show here.

Now, I must admit that a good number of the indie darlings secretly make me cringe. With The National, that is not the case. I've been a fan since I first discovered them in 2005. Their music generally features intelligent lyrics over lush arrangements. While they aren't the most upbeat band in the world, they are the kind of band that actually make you think and there is nothing wrong with that.

The National - Fake Empire
The National - Mr. November
Shapes and Sizes - Alone/Alive
Talkdemonic - Mountaintops In Caves

*Admit it, if a band gets any sort of national indie push that makes them project coolness (even if they suck), they tend to sell out DC, while the normal array of local hipsters are always in attendance and a good portion of the local bands are intelligently standing outside waiting to hand you a promo CD as you exit. If a band is still well under the radar when they come to town, there is usually enough room to pitch a tent.