Coffee & Flowers: A podcast about The National

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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?

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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