- published: 25 Jan 2016
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Matt Berninger (born February 13, 1971) is a Cincinnati native, Brooklyn based singer/songwriter, primarily known as the frontman of indie rock band The National.
Berninger is notable for his classic baritone voice.
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.
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 two-year-old daughter, Isla. Matt has stated that the song "Afraid of Everyone" was influenced by his anxiety about being a new father.