Matt Berninger at the 2020 Tibet House Benefit at Carnegie Hall
photo by Ellen Qbertplaya

The National's Matt Berninger covers Mercury Rev's "Holes" for 7 Inches for Planned Parenthood series

Matt Berninger at the 2020 Tibet House Benefit at Carnegie Hall
Matt Berninger @ Tibet House Benefit 2020 (more by Ellen Qbertplaya)

The National’s Matt Berninger covered Mercury Rev’s “Holes,” which opens their classic 1998 album Deserter’s Songs, at the NYC Tibet House benefit on Wednesday, and now he’s shared a gorgeous studio version of the song; it’s being released as a single as part of the second volume of the 7 Inches for Planned Parenthood series. “I found myself wasting a lot of time and energy worrying about all the threats to the world and to my kid’s rights,” Matt said in a statement about his cover. “Finally, I just turned everything off and tried to chill. I started listening to a lot of old favorite records and re-reading books. All my energy and optimism came back and I started recording a lot. So many people I know are having this experience and doing their best work right now. Instead of watching everything being destroyed why not have fun and create things that can fight back. I’ve never been happier. Joy is an act of resistance. IDLES said that.” The cover also features Gail Ann Dorsey, Mickey Raphael, the Walkmen’s Matt Barrick, Sean O’Brien, Harrison Whitford, Ben Lanz, and Kyle Resnick. Listen below.

The flipside of the single features a spoken word piece by attorney Neal Katyal titled “A Reproductive Rights Call To Action” set against a score by Sean O’Brien, and you can listen to that below.

The original 7 Inches for Planned Parenthood series featured songs by John Legend & St. Vincent, Sleater-Kinney, CHVRCHES, Foo Fighters, Sharon Van Etten, and more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xOmeNo-onU