Hey everybody. This pinned thread will be for member presentations. Introduce yourself, tell us why you're here, and stay around a while. Unless you're brand new you should also be used to the "where are you from" thread, so they are similar. Obviously I'll start.

I'm allthewine but better known as Mark. I reside in Cincinnati, Ohio, which some of you might be familiar with as fans of The National. I'm here because I started this message board early this year. I created for no other reason but for loving The National and for knowing Internet basics and its impact on bands these days, and while I love and respect the long-running National Yahoo! Group I thought it was about time we had a more convenient way for fans to interact about this great band. If you want to get on my good side send me free food or praise the Cincinnati Cyclones or Pittsburgh Pirates.

Now I'm just interested in hearing from you.

- M

OK my name is Quack, I'm from England. I first heard of The National shortly after Alligator's release when I saw a banner for it on iTunes. I liked what I heard but put off buying the album for a good couple of months, when I finally bought it I kicked myself for denying myself those months of pleasure!

The rest is history really, I quickly collected their other albums and unlike other bands I found I always came back to listen to The National, I may go through a phase where I don't listen to them for a while but whenever I come back I'm still blown away, and I can't say that about many other bands!

Aside from The National I love travel and recently spent three months in Uganda where I didn't have access to any National songs so resorted to singing to myself.

My name is Adam and I live in Springfield, Ma with my finace, Rose, and daughter, April. I first saw The National in May of 2002 when they opened for Dan Bern.

I remember that night very well. It was a late show and I was there for Dan Bern. I had to get up early in the morning for work the next day and was not looking forward to the opening band, whoever they were.

The National began with just the the two sets of brothers on stage, they were playing some pretty, typical type of indie rock, I thought. This went on for a few minutes and I figured anyone of the three of them would just move towards the mic and begin to sing. Then this fifth guy kind of walks on stage very unassumingly, like he was a roadie going to adjust the high-hat or something, but then me moved to the mic and began to sing...

I remember that voice very well. It had been so long since I had heard anything with a baritone singer. It was a small crowd, but I swear there was an audible gasp when Matt began it sing. I believe it was "Son" they were playing.

It was an amazing and very moving performance and I bought their record that night and I've been a fan ever since. I was 21 at the time and I feel like I've kind of grown up with them. Every record has been a surprise to me. With BOXER it feels like it's the six of them all contributing equally like never before. I love how Matt's just repeating phrases so often now, like his vocal line is no more important than the drums or guitar line.

I didn't get a chance to see them again until 2005, at the same place I first saw them in 2002 (in Northampton, MA at the Iron Horse [which was was shown in that small documentary that came out. Clap Your Hands opened and took most of the audience with them when they finished. But as anyone who saw them on that tour, the National were just all the better for it.
I'm really happy they're getting so much press now, but its a little bittersweet, my favorite little band is all grown up.

Hi!

My name is Lia and I first listened to The National shortly after Alligator came out and I was given a mp3 mixtape, with several albums to listen to and write about, for a Portuguese music fanzine.

It didn't even have the titles of the songs anywhere, so I was just listening without any particular care when I got to Secret Meeting. I instantly liked it, although only a few months later would I fall madly in love with the record. At first I preferred the rockier songs, like Mr. November and Lit Up, but eventually started loving the whole thing.

They played in Paredes de Coura festival that year, but for work reasons I couldn't go. So I decided to travel abroad and see them live, this year. Signing up here seemed the next logical step to me

This isn't just for the new folks either, folks. I'm talking to YOU kern, klagg, allansson (whose idea this was in the first place), Fiz, ted maul, mr stephen. Chime in!

- M

Hi!

My name is Johan Allansson, and I currently reside in the most southern part of Sweden, just a stones throw away from Denmark (welll not quite but it would take me about 20-30 minutes to get over so). I'm a student at Lunds Universitet, and I am currently working (quite poorly) on getting a degree in Systemvetenskap (which is mostly computers and such, but with the intent of being able to lead larger project groups in developing new software products). Besides that my great passion in life is, and will probably always be, music. Listening, playing, writing and producing it appeals to me more or less equally and if I could choose this would definately be my future.

I first got into The National in October '05 when a friend of mine persitently nagged me into listening to them, and I've been an addict ever since. I was lucky enough to know who they were when they did a concert at Mejeriet in Lund in November '05, which was undoubtledy the best concert I've seen since Springsteen gave his all at Ullevi '03.

I came here through the link at americanmary.com, a few minutes after I learned that Boxer was gonna be released.

helloo

my name is Nat, i'm 19 (nearly 20 mind you). I currently reside in london, where i am a second year chemistry student! I'm a musician, a guitarist and bass player, and also an avid music fan turned DJ. I play in a few bands, namely The Sleep Wells, based in Cambridge.

I got into the national last summer, having seen them support Editors at the Brixton Academy last may... i recall hearing "lit up" numerous times and "secret meeting" on BBC 6Music, and it wasnt long before Alligator took over my life. And now i am here.

haha. I'm sure everyone wants to know my story. Fiz can provide a good story about himself though.

Hello! I'm a newbie here so let's introduce myself. My name is Emmanuelle, i'm 27 and i live in France.
It's my uncle who tells me (and my sister) about the National, in 2005 i think. My sister became addicted to their musice before me, i must confess. Now, we're both fan. I saw them live twice. The first time in 2005, and i really loved the concert. The second time, i loved even more! Matt's voice is amazing.
Well, what else can i say about me...You must know, i'm a fan and completly obsessed with Placebo. But i listen to other music, like Franz Ferdinand, Bloc Party, PJ Harvey, The Cure, Interpol, Radiohead, Nirvana, Miossec, Joseph D'anvers, Florent Marchet (French singers), Yeah Yeah Yeahs... And i spend a lot of my time being on the internet on various forums, and other stuff.

At last, don't take care of my poor english, i try to do my best, but i'm French

My name is Rasmus Olsson, I'm 22 and just as Allansson I live in Lund in southern Sweden. Yes, we know each other, that's another story though, ha ha!

I ended up listening to The National after a visit to Pitchfork. There was an advert for 'Alligator', and as I loved the looks of it I clicked it, and that's how I found my favorite band. The link in the advert lead to the 'Alligator' listening post, where the whole album was streamed. I went back there two-three times a day to listen to the album, and eventually realized that I had to own the album.

My only concert-experience with the band was in Paris, where I saw them on 'le Trabendo'. Was anyone else on the forum there?

I write a lot of music myself, and have also made a cover of 'All The Wine', which I'll post here when I've made a proper recording of it!

This was a nice initiative! Who's next?

Hi! 47 yr old Mike here from Poynton (nr. Manchester), England.

First heard The National on Jools Holland a couple of years ago and thought 'they seem to be a good band to start listening to' - but didn't follow it up! Then, by chance, saw them supporting the Editors last year at Manchester Apollo and I became an instant fan and bought Alligator on the merchandise stall. Started getting the other National CDs and, thanks to this forum (Thanks Mark!), most of their live stuff that has been linked here.

I can't play an instrument, can't sing, can't write music but love listening to quite a wide range of stuff - usually when I'm driving, cutting the grass, d-i-y ing or cooking. My early influences were (don't laugh) prog rock - Yes and ELP. More recently its been Coldplay, Interpol, Radiohead, Massive Attack - its been great sharing some of the same musical tastes as my kids, particularly when we are in the car.

Currently TN are my favourite all time band, I know that may change but they will always be up there! Hoping to get to one of their UK dates this year.

........and the next one please!

Ok, my turn. Wouldnt want to upset the boss ;-)

Eh...My name is Kenny Legg, I am 25 years old, I live in Bristol, England and I have been a 'The National' addict now for about 18 months. *sobs*.

It all started for me when I read a lot of end of year polls and saw Alligator being consistantly near the top and also geting a lot of praise on the Interpol forum, who were my previous addiction. I then got Alligator for Xmas and after the first listen thought it was good, 2nd listen I thought it was really good and by the 3rd I was blown away.

I started working my way through the back catalogue and thought I could cope with my addiction, but then I saw the guys at Koko last year, which was one of the best gigs I've ever seen. It was also the first time I heard About Today, and there is still a mark in the floor of Koko where my jaw hit the floor.

I am going to the gig at Koko next Tuesday and would be good to meet up with any one else going.

You wouldnt be the same Rahaha from the Interpol forum with the big signature of The Sleep Wells by any chance?

Enjoy the gig tonight, I'm leaving now to get to London. I. CANT. WAIT

Hi - my name is ted. Ok, it’s not really, but am preserving my anonymity. I’m 31, and live and work in London. Spending most of my 9-5 in front of a PC, this board seems like as good as place as any to idle away the day – putting in the hours to keep me in sunglasses.

A mate leant me Alligator around 2 years ago, and I was hooked almost immediately. I went out and got hold of Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers and Cherry Tree, and realised that the brilliance of Alligator wasn’t a one off. Matt’s lyrics and the brilliantly layered, cyclical melodies drew me in, and before I knew it they’d become one of my all-time favourite bands.

Seen the band twice – once at ULU, once at Koko. Both times they were stunning. Going to the Fopp in-store gig next week, and to the Astoria show as well.

Other stuff I like – depends on the mood, but it’s mostly skinny white boys with guitars.

Time for some EPD (embarrassing personal detail). I recently went through an unpleasant break-up, and listened to Lucky You about 30 times on repeat - til the neighbours complained at 3am - with a bottle of scotch in one hand and a packet of Marlboro in the other. Sometimes I love being a cliche…

indeed i am!!! except i dont post there much at all.. i'm more commonly found on Editors' forum...

enjoy tonight! i'm sooo excited!