Vox Pops - The National's Matt Berninger

Matt, 36, singer, The National

What musical discoveries have you made this year?
There's a record by the Forms I like and this year is the first I've really started listening to Andrew Bird.

What's on your Christmas wishlist?
Just to stay home in my own bed for a couple of weeks. And I need more socks.

What's your favourite festive song?
Probably that Pogues song, Fairytale of New York.

Are you pro or anti Brussels Sprouts?
I'm a fan.

Who would win in a fight over the turkey between the two sets of brothers in the band?
The Devendorfs are larger but they're much gentler, I'd assume the Dessners would fight dirty so I might put my money on them.

What's the worst thing on Christmas Telly?
A Christmas Story with Peter Billingsley. It's a great movie but it's on 24 hours a day for 2 weeks at Christmas…drives me crazy.

Which is the better: Macaulay Culkin festive-themed movie, Home Alone, or Uncle Buck?
I'm an Uncle Buck guy. John Candy was a genius.

If you could be a character in a Christmas film who would it be?
I'd like to be George Bailey (It's a Wonderful Life) or the Grinch.


Malcolm, 33, singer/guitarist
Musical discoveries?
I really like the Bat For Lashes album. And there's this band called Jakobinarina. I only heard them the other night but I bought their album off iTunes and it's amazing.

Christmas wish?
I'd like to maintain some self-respect after all this Christmas single shit.

Festive song?
Probably the Chris de Burgh one (A Spaceman Came Travelling). It's nice and OTT and always makes you feel Christmassy.

Sprouts?
I used to vomit as soon as they touched my mouth; it's the only food I can't actually eat.

Worst Christmas telly?
Eastenders, for fuck sake. It's so depressing and it would do a better job than any of my songs in ruining your Christmas.

Home Alone or Uncle Buck?
Home Alone. I've not seen Uncle Buck.


Amber, 28, singer, Black Mountain
Musical discoveries?
The Cave Singers, plus the new Sadies album is really good.

Christmas wish?
I was thinking of buying a new digital camera as my own little Christmas present to myself, one of those really tiny paper thin ones.

Festive song?
Amber: Oh god!
Matt (Camirand, bassist) pipes up in the background: I'm quite partial to Silent Night.

Sprouts?
Oh yes, oh yes.

Worst Christmas telly?
Worst thing? How about a good thing! Chevvy Chase?! National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, man.

Home Alone or Uncle Buck?
Uncle Buck! John Candy! I've probably seen that 10 times.


Will, 31, singer/guitarist, Okkervil River

Musical discoveries?
I've been listening to a lot of Curtis Mayfield, the first couple of Pavement records and a lot of Dusty Springfield.

Christmas wish?
The things that I want are intangible things like… not to have to tour so much. So I think I might do that. But then I'll always have to do that. So I may as well just be selfish and ask for a Wii.

Festive song?
Probably Oh Holy Night. I love the sense of humbling yourself before something spiritual.

Sprouts?
Oh I love Brussels sprouts.

Worst Christmas telly?
I will watch any stupid thing at Christmas that the family agrees on. But somehow that Bill Murray film, Scrooged, which always ends up coming on cable. It's like 11 and I still feel like sitting up. I'm stoned from turkey and drinking wine all day. I usually end up watching that whole movie. Which is not that good, but somehow I always like it at Christmas.

Home Alone or Uncle Buck?
I haven't seen it since I was a kid but I can tell you now, Uncle Buck!


Andy, 23, guitarist and James, 23, vocalist, The Twilight Sad

Musical discoveries?
J: Frightened Rabbit, fucking amazing!
A: Cambodian Gazette Archive. I was playing it in the dressing room the other night and everyone was like 'get that aff!'
J: I really like the new múm record.
A: And Kate Nash.
J: Fuck off! You fancy her. Don't put that!

Christmas wish?
J: One of those [points to dictaphone]
A: I'll probably get a lump of coal. I can't really ask for anything apart from my two front teeth.
J: I want the Rab C Nesbitt box set that you got.
A: Well d'you want me to give you it?

Festive song?
J: Oh the Home Alone one.
A: I like the one about the woman who's not got any cranberry sauce, that's a beast…Christmas Wrapping by The Waitresses.

Sprouts?
A: Pro
J: Anti

Worst Christmas telly?
A: I like Christmas TV.
J: Queen's Speech. Put that down.
A: Aye, let's get political!

Home Alone or Uncle Buck?
A: Home Alone.
J: Home Alone.
A: He's like my fucking hero. He's my desktop image and that.
J: Aye on his laptop. Our tour manager thought it was his son!