Matt Berninger


Matthew Donald Berninger is an American singer-songwriter, primarily known as the frontman of indie rock band The National. In 2014 he also formed the EL VY project with Brent Knopf of Ramona Falls & Menomena and released the album Return to the Moon in November 2015. In May 2020, Berninger announced that he would be releasing his debut solo album Serpentine Prison in October and shared the title track.
Berninger is known for his classic baritone voice.

Personal life

Berninger is a 1989 graduate of St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati. He went on to study graphic design at the University of Cincinnati, where he met fellow band member Scott Devendorf in 1991. The two quickly became friends. Berninger quit a career in advertising in his thirties to start The National. He told The Telegraph: "I was doing well . But, once I entertained the thought that maybe I wouldn't ever have to go and sit in conference rooms with MasterCard to discuss web ads again, I couldn't shake it."
Berninger is married to Carin Besser, a one-time fiction editor for The New Yorker, who has often contributed to the band's songwriting and backup vocals. Together with Hope Hall and Andreas Burgess, Besser also helped direct the music video for "Bloodbuzz Ohio". They have a daughter named Isla. Berninger has stated that the song "Afraid of Everyone" was influenced by his anxiety about being a new father.
Berninger has two siblings: Tom and Rachel.

In popular culture

In 2011, a portrait of Berninger was painted by British artist Joe Simpson; the painting was exhibited around the UK including a solo exhibition at The Royal Albert Hall.
In 2019, Berninger appeared in . Along with Phoebe Bridgers, they contributed the song "Walking on a String" to its soundtrack.

Discography

Albums

Other songs