Matt Berninger

Matt Berninger
Matt Berninger at Sziget Festival, Budapest, in 2011
Background information
Born	1971
Origin	Cincinnati, Ohio
Genres	Alternative rock
Occupations	Vocalist
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1999–present
Associated acts	The National
Website	The National

Matt Berninger (born 1971) is a Cincinnati native, Brooklyn based singer/songwriter, primarily known as the frontman of indie rock band The National.

Vocals

Berninger is notable for his baritone vocals making The National's melodies original and distinct, allowing words to come to life with stories of "gloomy vignettes about young city dwellers".^[1]

Personal life

Berninger is a 1989 graduate of St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati.^[2] 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.^[3]

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.^[4][5] Together with Hope Hall and Andreas Burgess, Carin also helped direct the music video for "Bloodbuzz Ohio".^[6] They have a two-year-old daughter, Isla.^[7] Matt has stated that the song "Afraid of Everyone" was influenced by his anxiety about being a new father.

References

1. ^ Hyden, Steven. "Matt Berninger of The National". Interview. A.V. Club. http://www.avclub.com/articles/matt-berninger-of-the-national,41019/. Retrieved 30 January 2011. 
2. ^ Motz, Mark D. (2008-01-31). "Volume V, Issue 9". St. Xavier High School E-News mailing list. http://www.stxavier.org/s/106/stxavier.aspx?pgid=1113. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
3. ^ Dawidoff, Nicholas (23 April 2010). "The National Agenda". NY Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/25/magazine/25national-t.html?pagewanted=all. Retrieved 30 January 2011. 
4. ^ Chalupa, Andrea. "The National's Matt Berninger on Dirty Lovers and Even Dirtier Politics". Huffington Post. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andrea-chalupa/the-nationals-matt-bernin_b_578896.html. Retrieved 30 January 2011. 
5. ^ Fury, Jeanne. "Interview with The National". Virgin. http://web.virginmobileusa.com/life/interviews-the-national. Retrieved 30 January 2011. 
6. ^ "The National’s Bloodbuzz Ohio by Hope Hall, Andreas Burgess & Carin Besser". Promo News. http://www.promonews.tv/2010/05/17/the-nationals-bloodbuzz-ohio-by-hope-hall-andreas-burgess-carin-besser/. Retrieved 30 January 2011. 
7. ^ "Under The Radar cover featuring Matt Berninger along with his one-and-half-year-old daughter, Isla.". Under The Radar. http://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/under_the_radar_announces_wasted_on_the_youth_issue. Retrieved 2010-09-13. 

Persondata
Name	Berninger, Matt
Alternative names
Short description	lead singer for indie rock band The National
Date of birth	1971
Place of birth
Date of death
Place of death