The National Plan Grateful Dead Tribute Album for Charity

Back in 2009, the National's Bryce and Aaron Dessner curated 'Dark Was the Night,' a compilation that featured Bon Iver, Spoon, Feist, Dirty Projectors, David Byrne and Arcade Fire and benefited AIDS charity Red Hot. The album was so successful that the band will once again solicit their musical friends for another Red Hot album, only this time with a surprising twist.

"We're actually working on a new compilation record, like we did the 'Dark was The Night' record, that's going to be a Grateful Dead covers record," bassist Scott Devendorf told Spinner at Coachella.

So what Dead song will the National be doing? "We're just figuring that out right now. Matt [Berninger, frontman] has got to sing it, so we're thinking a Phil [Lesh] song, 'Box of Rain' or 'Unbroken Chain,' something like that," he says. "For us, the frontrunner right now is 'Box of Rain' I think, but we'll see."

While the project is in its very early stages, with Devendorf saying it could be out in the next year or two, there are already some possible performers. "I think Steve Reich is on it as far as doing some things. He's actually an old friend of Phil Lesh. They go back to younger days," Devendorf said. "Then there are newer, folky bands like Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver that are interested."

Devendorf, who says he's "shadow curating" the record, wants it to be musically daring. "It's not going to be like jam bands cover the Dead. There are so many cover bands. I think half of the record will be reinterpreting it," he says. "We're also trying to think of unusual [acts]. Crystal Castles would be awesome."

UPDATE: "Bryce and Aaron Dessner are currently working on a follow up to 'Dark Was The Night.' No details can be confirmed at this time." -- The National Management

The National Perform 'Terrible Love' on the Interface


Watch & Download the National's Full Interface Performance Free

Download the National Songs | Buy the National Albums