The National’s Matt Berninger on Why He Thinks of Himself as a Writer First

In this episode of Identified, Nabil Ayers sits down with Matt Berninger of The National to explore family, creativity, friendship, and the communities that shape us.

Matt reflects on growing up in Ohio, the artistic influence of his parents, discovering music through his older sister, and the local scenes that first made him believe a creative life was possible. From college bands and design school to moving to New York in the 1990s, he traces the experiences that eventually led to the formation of The National.

Nabil and Matt explore the unusual family dynamic at the heart of The National, a band built around two sets of brothers and decades-long friendships. Matt discusses collaboration, creative tension, trust, and how maintaining artistic relationships over time often resembles maintaining a family.

Guest: Matt Berninger
Host: Nabil Ayers
Executive Producer: Kieron Banerji
Produced by: Palm Tree Island

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Check out our Podcast:
➡️https://linktr.ee/identifiedpodcast

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00:00 Growing up in an artistic family
01:40 The creative influence of his parents
02:15 Discovering music through his sister
04:00 Moving to New York in 1996
05:00 The music scene that shaped him
06:00 The radio station that changed everything
08:00 Why he wanted to start a band
10:00 Design school and creative life
11:00 The beginnings of The National
14:00 Being the only non-brother in the band
18:00 Writer first, singer second
19:30 Creative relationships and family
21:00 The National’s parents and children
24:00 Supporting the next generation
27:45 What family means to Matt

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Identified is a podcast series that explores identity, race, culture, and family through personal conversations. Hosted by author and music executive Nabil Ayers, each episode dives into lived experiences that reveal how our backgrounds shape who we are—and how we find belonging.

Nabil is the author of My Life in the Sunshine (Viking, 2022), and has written for The New York Times, The Guardian, and GQ on themes of race, music, and personal history. He’s also the President of Beggars Group US, co-founder of Sonic Boom Records, and founder of the record label The Control Group / Valley of Search.

Identified brings together notable voices for reflective, vulnerable conversations about where we come from—and where we’re going.

Read more about Nabil:
➡️https://www.nabilayers.com/

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