Matt Berninger

Matt Berninger
274px Matt Berninger at Way Out West in Gothenburg, Sweden, August 2014
Background information
Born	(1971-02-13) February 13, 1971 Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
Genres	Alternative rock
Occupation(s)	Vocalist
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1999–present
Associated acts	The National, EL VY
Website	www.americanmary.com

Matthew Donald Berninger, known as Matt Berninger (born February 13, 1971) is a Cincinnati native, Los Angeles-based 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 Menomena and released the album Return to the Moon in November 2015.

Berninger is notable for his classic baritone voice.

Personal life

Berninger is a 1989 graduate of St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati where he played trumpet for the high school's band. 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.”

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. Together with Hope Hall and Andreas Burgess, Carin also helped direct the music video for "Bloodbuzz Ohio". They have a daughter, Isla. Matt has stated that the song "Afraid of Everyone" was influenced by his anxiety about being a new father.

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.