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Map the collaboration web around a band

The National's members are listed, then Aaron Dessner's other bands are added to the same graph.

MusicBrainz musicbrainz.get_artist_relationships

Captured June 2026

Two hops

MusicBrainz relationships can be followed from a band to its members and then from one member to other bands. Expanding only the most connected member keeps the graph readable.

The prompt

Using MusicBrainz, map the web around The National: who's in the band, and what other projects do its members branch into?

The response

Using MusicBrainz, map the web around The National: who’s in the band, and what other projects do its members branch into?

Resolving The National, pulling its relationships, then expanding Aaron Dessner, the most connected member, to see where the web branches.

Executing musicbrainz.get_artist_relationships Executing musicbrainz.get_artist_relationships
Collaboration web around The NationalNetwork graph with The National connected to five band members, Aaron Dessner connected to five other bands, and a dashed sibling link from Aaron to Bryce Dessner.The National collaboration webMusicBrainz artist relationships, expanded through Aaron DessnerThe NationalseedMatt BerningerAaron DessnerBryce DessnerBryan DevendorfScott DevendorfBig Red MachineComplete MountainAlmanacEquinoxProject NimRed Bird Hollowseed bandmembersother bandsmember ofsibling
Two-hop MusicBrainz relationship graph: The National's core members, Aaron Dessner's other bands, and the sibling loop between Aaron and Bryce Dessner.

Starting from The National, the band resolves to its five core members plus three longtime touring players (Ben Lanz, Kyle Resnick, and James McAlister on horns and drums). The web really opens up through Aaron Dessner. He branches into Big Red Machine, his project with Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon, plus a handful of smaller outfits: Complete Mountain Almanac, Equinox, Project Nim, and Red Bird Hollow.

There’s also a nice structural detail. Aaron and Bryce Dessner are linked as siblings, and Bryce is also in The National, so the graph closes a small loop between the band and the family.

The Dessner connection

Aaron Dessner is expanded because he has the most connections. The graph also shows that Aaron and Bryce Dessner are brothers and both members of The National.