Aaron Dessner of The National | Broken Record

Depression Impact

Aaron Dessner's journey through depression profoundly influenced his musical path. He recalls discovering his father's drums at a young age, which sparked his initial interest in music. This passion became an emotional outlet during his teenage years when he faced severe depression, leading him to sneak out to play piano at night 1. His twin brother, Bryce, played a crucial role during this period, supporting Aaron academically and emotionally 2.

Music was the only thing that I felt like doing.

--- Aaron Dessner

This emotional connection to music laid the foundation for his creative process, allowing him to channel his struggles into his art 3.

   

Musical Inspirations

Aaron Dessner's musical inspirations are deeply intertwined with his emotional experiences. During the pandemic, he collaborated with Taylor Swift, creating the albums "Folklore" and "Evermore," which reignited his creative spark 4. He describes his music-making process as tapping into an emotional current within himself, often feeling like a soundtrack to a story yet to be told 5.

It's an emotional process where I'm tapping into a current within myself.

--- Aaron Dessner

This period of intense collaboration and reflection also led to personal growth as a producer, enhancing his appreciation for his band, The National, and their collective potential 6.