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Coffee & Flowers: A podcast about The National

In season 1, the band guide us through their dark but hopeful album, 'Boxer'.

Christopher Hooton and David Rapson

As the band launch a new album and a new film simultaneously, Chris and Dave review and discuss this ambitious new project, chat to Bryce Dessner and Scott Devendorf about the division of labour on a project like this, and meet Eve Owen, a 19-year-old singer who features on the album.

Bonus: 'I Am Easy To Find' launch

The myriad stories that interweave throughout 'Boxer' and beyond all come together as we take a final look at the record as a whole.

S1 Ep13: Reflections

We consider what it means to end the album in a garden, beneath holiday rainbow lights and with a nice icy drink in your hand.

S1 Ep12: 'Gospel'

Ada lets us all have her neck. "The touching of a person's neck is much more intimate than kissing them on the mouth, don't you think?" - Matt Berninger

S1 Ep11: 'Ada'

Boxer's young professional takes a look in the mirror and asks us: "What is it all worth?"

S1 Ep10: 'Racing Like A Pro'

We enter "prison for jerks" and find two people struggling to escape this relationship jail of their own making.

S1 Ep9: 'Guest Room'

The (im?)possibility of reconciliation is explored in 'Start A War', and when the right time is to walk away. Plus, how identical twins approach guitar harmonies.

S1 Ep8: 'Start A War'

Unpacking 'Slow Show's "fraternal twin", we consider relationships within four walls. How do we enjoy comfort when it all too often rubs up against claustrophobia?

S1 Ep7: 'Apartment Story'

The album hits its mid-point and a fork in the roads: to go to the party, or to stay in? We explore the pros and cons of socialising and the curious lure of home.

S1 Ep6: 'Slow Show'

This episode we find a tender exploration of humans, their objects, and the connections we form. 

S1 Ep5: 'Green Gloves'

We consider the unheavenly travails of white-collar employment in a track that, for Matt, was all about restraint.

S1 Ep4: 'Squalor Victoria'

We follow the footsteps of two people in a game of cat and mouse with help from Brainy herself, Carin Besser.

S1 Ep3: 'Brainy'

We consider the unmagnicifcent lives of adults and the reluctant deal we all make with the world as we leave youth.

S1 Ep2: 'Mistaken For Strangers'

We begin exploring 'Boxer' with a tiptoe through the album's melancholic first track, exploring the real, the fake, and the big opener that almost wasn't.

S1 Ep1: 'Fake Empire'

A warm welcome to Coffee & Flowers, explaining who, what and why.

S1 Ep0: Welcome &amp; Why

Season 1 will be available 4 March on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other listening thingys!