Spouse Carin Besser Years active 1999–present Role Singer | Instruments Vocals Name Matt Berninger Occupation(s) Vocalist Website www.americanmary.com Siblings Tom Berninger | |
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Born February 13, 1971 (age 53) Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. ( 1971-02-13 ) Similar People Aaron Dessner, Tom Berninger, Bryce Dessner, Carin Besser, Bryan Devendorf | ||
Associated acts The National, EL VY | ||
Jay mohr and the national frontman matt berninger on mohr stories 280
Matthew Donald Berninger (born February 13, 1971) 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.
Contents
- Jay mohr and the national frontman matt berninger on mohr stories 280
- Matt berninger of the national my brother was wasted and singing into the camera
- Personal life
- In popular culture
- References
Berninger is notable for his classic baritone voice.
Matt berninger of the national my brother was wasted and singing into the camera
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 and they became best friends. Berninger quit a career in advertising in his thirties to start The National. He told The Telegraph: “I was doing well [in advertising]. 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 ("Brainy" and "Ada" from the album Boxer) and backup vocals. Together with Hope Hall and Andreas Burgess, Carin 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 (who directed Mistaken for Strangers, a film about The National) 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.