The National’s sixth album, the ominously titled Trouble Will Find Me, is officially out today (it’s been streaming online for a week), and to celebrate, the Brooklyn baroque rockers crashed the Late Show With David Letterman last night (May 20). Supported by a string section, a horn player, and Doveman’s Thomas Bartlett on piano, the dapper five-piece performed Trouble cut “Don’t Swallow the Cap,” a velvety, krautrock brooder. After the sullen notes disappeared into the ether, Letterman raised his voice over the audience’s applause to state the obvious: “A lot going on there.”
What’s more, the National also recently performed a live studio session for New York City radio station WFUV. The entire set, recorded on May 9, will reportedly air on the station’s website tonight at 9 p.m. EST, but for now, the NPR affiliate has shared videos of the band playing Trouble highlights “Sea of Love” and “Graceless,” which can be found below.
