Matt Berninger
Matt Berninger | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | February 13, 1971 Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. |
| Genres | Alternative rock |
| Occupation | Vocalist |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 1999–present |
| Website | www |
Matthew Donald Berninger, known as Matt Berninger (born February 13, 1971[1]) is a Cincinnati native, Los Angeles-based[2] singer/songwriter, primarily known as the frontman of indie rock band The National. In 2014 he formed the EL VY project with Brent Knopf of Ramona Falls & Menomena and released the album Return to the Moon in November 2015.[3]
Berninger is notable for his classic baritone voice.[4]
Personal life
Berninger is a 1989 graduate of St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati.[5] 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.[4] 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.”[6]
Matt 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.[7][8] Together with Hope Hall and Andreas Burgess, Carin also helped direct the music video for "Bloodbuzz Ohio". They have a daughter named Isla.[9] Matt has stated that the song "Afraid of Everyone" was influenced by his anxiety about being a new father.[10]
Berninger has two siblings, Tom (who directed Mistaken for Strangers, a film about The National) and Rachel.[11]
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.[12]
References
- ^ United States Birth Records
- ^ Barton, Chris. "'Mistaken for Strangers': Matt, Tom Berninger on the not-National doc". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
- ^ Gaerig, Andrew (November 1, 2015). "EL VY: Return to the Moon". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2015-11-14.
- ^ a b Dawidoff, Nicholas (23 April 2010). "The National Agenda". NY Times. Retrieved 30 January 2011.
- ^ Motz, Mark D. (2008-01-31). "Volume V, Issue 9". St. Xavier High School E-News (Mailing list). Retrieved 2008-01-31.
{{cite mailing list}}: Unknown parameter|mailinglist=ignored (|mailing-list=suggested) (help) - ^ Tang, Kevin (July 15, 2013). "19 Late-Blooming Artists Who Prove It's Never Too Late". BuzzFeed.
- ^ Chalupa, Andrea (17 May 2010). "The National's Matt Berninger on Dirty Lovers and Even Dirtier Politics". Huffington Post. Retrieved 30 January 2011.
- ^ Fury, Jeanne. "Interview with The National". Virgin. Archived from the original on 5 October 2011. Retrieved 30 January 2011.
- ^ Redfern, Mark (July 29, 2010). "Under the Radar Announces Wasted on the Youth Issue: Musicians and Actors on Their Childhood Memories". Under The Radar. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
- ^ Hyden, Steven (May 13, 2010). "Matt Berninger of The National". A. V. Club. Retrieved 2016-05-10.
- ^ "Happy Sibling's Day". Facebook. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
- ^ Breihan, Tom (February 23, 2011). "Ezra Koenig, Matt Berninger, Sam Beam Immortalized in Oil Paintings". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2016-05-10.
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