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
feels good images involve listener literal lyrics riddles song swing
A lot of the lyrics I write involve images that just swing the song in a way that feels really good to me and there isn't a literal explanation. They're not riddles for the listener to solve.
anxieties awake lie love romantic shadows social songs
I love to make songs out of some of those shadows - you know, some of the things you lie awake thinking about, social anxieties and romantic insecurities and all that stuff.
paid record seemed songs
'Alligator' was the first record that anyone paid attention to, and it seemed like it was the screamy songs that got us that attention.
song writing editing
When I have just sat down and tried to write the lyrics of a song, usually about half of it sounds like bullshit. I just have to go away from something and come back to it again later. I do a lot of editing and switching around and putting little pieces together to get the right mood and personality, and it takes me forever to get a song finished.
song bulls half
I have pit bulls barking at me on half of the love songs.
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.
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.
song different vocal
A different drumbeat or some vocal overdub could completely transform the song.
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.
song connected ifs
A song is a song and, if I am emotionally connected to do it, whether it is sad or not sad, I am going to chase that song.
song emotional singing
It's not hard to connect with the music on an emotional level and get inside the songs. It's odd, very vulnerable, and slightly embarrassing to be standing and singing and playing music in front of a bunch of strangers.
song writing want
The last thing you want to do is write songs about being in a band.
detail worried
Once you do have a child, you want to talk about every detail of it. And it is really boring to all your friends, and it should be. I was really worried about even going there at all.
I don't play an instrument. I pretend. I try to.