Photo by Deirdre O'Callaghan

"The band has almost ended here and there. I think we got past a lot of the ways it could have ended and ended badly. I think we got through those dark times-- just relationship issues, and frustration, and anxiety, and exhaustion, and tempers. [R.E.M.’s] Michael Stipe always used to say, Remember that you were friends first. We had to remind ourselves of that. I don’t know how long is healthy to be a rock band. We’ve been on for almost 14 years, so another five years might be too much. We're actually at a better place with each other than we've ever been. I don't think our band would end with an acrimonious situation any more. I think we've learned to love and respect each other now and we're kind of past all that stuff. I don't know if that means we'll stay a band for a lot longer-- but for a little while, at least."

-- The National's Matt Berninger, with some bleak realities regarding the longevity of the band. (Via an interview with Hayden in The Grid)