Matt Berninger
Matt Berninger
Matthew Donald Berninger, known as Matt Berningeris 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...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionRock Singer
Date of Birth13 February 1971
CityCincinnati, OH
CountryUnited States of America
vacation turns i-can
I can never turn a tour into a vacation.
song party what-if
The song 'Humiliation' is kind of about what if, outside of a dinner party or something, I was blown up by a drone missile, out by the pool. What an embarrassing way to go.
home writing years
I'm trying to figure out how to record at home because I have a tiny house and a seven-year-old and my wife also works at home. So I can't work in the house because she's trying to write, so I pitched a tent in the backyard. I'm literally trying to record in the tent.
nice real character
I usually always think of characters and sometimes the characters are a little bit invented, so it's nice to give these invented, blurry, personas an actually name. It makes me get closer to them or something like that. But they're not all real, they're weird amalgamations of reality.
fun focus having-fun
I focus on the words and then I have fun putting together the music after.
kids dark parent
My parents know that I have always been sort of a dark melodramatic kid, so they were never concerned.
song real heart
Not all the songs are real events, but I do write about stuff that is close to my heart and it comes out one way or another.
brother wind frustrated
Weirdly, I was still trying to be the older brother, and trying to get him [ Tom Berninger] to try to be more like me a little bit. Or not be more like me but ... I was frustrated that he sometimes let things stop him in his life, and he let the wind get knocked out of his sails a few times.
song different vocal
A different drumbeat or some vocal overdub could completely transform the song.
daughter body want
I don't want somebody telling my daughter who she can marry, or what she can do with her body. That's what was at stake.
rocks concerts appeals
I actually don't go to shows anymore. Rock concerts have lost their appeal for me.
party rocks clubs
Maybe because I have spent too much of my life in rock clubs. I don't really go to parties anymore either. I'll usually be in the bus by 11:30 after a show.
light way stage
Getting on stage and performing and standing under lights is such an unsettling experience - in a good and bad way - but it's the only place I can go to feel comfortable.
song drinking wine
I've never quite felt totally comfortable up on stage. I've gotten more comfortable, but drinking wine is a crutch that gives me a little courage. It helps me lose a little bit of the self-consciousness and the awareness of how awkward it is standing on a stage with lights and a bunch of people looking at you while you sing love songs.