Matt Berninger

Matthew Donald Berninger (, born February 13, 1971) is an American singer, primarily known as the frontman and lyricist of indie rock band The National. In 2014, he also formed the EL VY project with Brent Knopf of Ramona Falls and Menomena. They released the album Return to the Moon in November 2015. In May 2020, Berninger issued the title track from his solo debut album, Serpentine Prison, released in October 2020. His second solo album, Get Sunk, was released on May 30, 2025.

Berninger is known for his classic baritone voice.

Early and personal life Berninger is a 1989 graduate of St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. He went on to study graphic design at the University of Cincinnati, where he met fellow band member Scott Devendorf in 1991. The two quickly became friends.

Berninger is married to Carin Besser, a one-time fiction editor for The New Yorker, who has often contributed to the band's songwriting (in songs such as "Brainy" and "Ada" from the album Boxer, among others) and backup vocals. Together with Hope Hall and Andreas Burgess, Besser also helped direct the music video for "Bloodbuzz Ohio". They have a daughter named Isla. Berninger has stated the song "Afraid of Everyone" was influenced by his anxiety about being a new father. In 2023, he, his wife, and daughter moved from Venice, Los Angeles, to live in Connecticut.

As a child, Berninger knew Neil Armstrong, who was a family friend of his uncle. Armstrong taught him to play pool.

Berninger has two siblings: Tom (who directed Mistaken for Strangers, a film about The National) and Rachel.

Berninger has discussed his battles with depression, calling it "like a flu that just holds on." He found that, with antidepressants, he was able to "find a way back to music and happiness."

In popular culture

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.

In 2019, Berninger appeared in Between Two Ferns: The Movie. Along with Phoebe Bridgers, they contributed the song "Walking on a String" to its soundtrack.

In 2020, Berninger was the subject of an episode of the fictional erotic podcast, Dirty Diana, produced by Demi Moore.

In December 2023, Berninger was interviewed by David Letterman.

Discography Albums Title Details Peak chart positions US AUS AUT BEL(FL) FRA GER IRE NLD SWI UK Serpentine Prison Released: October 16, 2020 Label: Book Records 161 32 20 1 82 19 11 18 25 21 Get Sunk Released: May 30, 2025 Label: Concord — — 41 4 — 13 — 38 23 27

Singles As lead artist Title Year Peak chart positions Album USAAA USAlt.Dig. USRockAir. BEL(FL)Tip. (featuring Phoebe Bridgers) 2019 — 24 — group=upper-alpha|"Walking on a String" did not enter the Flanders Ultratop 50, but charted as an "extra tip" on the Ultratip chart. 2020 — — — 10 — Serpentine Prison "Distant Axis" — — — 41 — "One More Second" 21 — — 6 — "Pray It Away" (with Hannah Georgas) — — — — — All That Emotion "Let It Be" 2021 — — — group=upper-alpha|"Let It Be" did not enter the Flanders Ultratop 50, but charted as an "extra tip" on the Ultratip chart. (featuring Hand Habits) — — — — — "Inland Ocean" — — — — 29 "—" denotes single that did not chart or was not released

As featured artist Title Year Peak chart positions Album USAlt.Dig. NZHot SCO UKSales "Representing Memphis" 2011 — — — — — The Road from Memphis "Coming Down" 2014 — — — — — Only Run "My Enemy" 2019 17 28 — 96 — Love Is Dead "7 O'Clock News/Silent Night" — — — — —If We Make It Through December "We All Have" 2021 — — 37 — — Sixty Summers "South For The Winter" — — — — — A Southern Gothic "Is This All There Is?" 2026 — — — — 14 Is This All There Is? "—" denotes single that did not chart or was not released

Other appearances Title Year Album "I'll See You in My Dreams" 2013 Boardwalk Empire: Volume 2 "Hush (Theme From Turn)" 2014AMC's Turn: Original Soundtrack "A Lyke Wake Dirge" "I'm Waiting for the Man" 2021 I'll Be Your Mirror: A Tribute to The Velvet Underground & Nico

Musical theater

Plays Cyrano (2018), with Carin Besser, Aaron Dessner, Bryce Dessner, and Erika Schmidt

Film Cyrano (2021), with end credits showing "music written by Aaron Dessner and Bryce Dessner" and "lyrics written by Matt Berninger and Carin Besser"