The painted portrait of Matt Berninger on the cover of his new solo album seems straightforward and on-brand enough for The National’s frontman. The image of him sitting quietly and alone in the corner of a gray room could easily pass for what one might imagine he does for…

The National performs at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley on Sept. 25, 2018. Photos: Jane Hu. BERKELEY — The National frontman Matt Berninger used to be nervous on stage. He’s even talked about the awkwardness of not knowing what to do with his hands. But Tuesday at the Greek Theatre,…

I often wonder if beautiful and depressing can co-exist; then I listen to one of The National’s albums and realize there is a place for both, and when put together, they can be amazing. This is the case on the group’s latest album, Sleep Well Beast. Sleep Well Beast The National…

Photos: Nick DeCicco and Roman Gokhman BERKELEY — Brooklyn rock group The National performed six new songs Friday night during a stop at Berkeley’s Greek Theatre, but the show wasn’t without its rough spots. While the new material, presumably for an in-progress seventh full-length album, often hit somber notes,…

The National performs at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley on July 29, 2016. Roman Gokhman/STAFF. The National headlined two nights at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, with the highlight on the first night being “I Need My Girl.” I’m biased, however, as this came the week that my daughter…

The National performs at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley on April 26, 2014. Roman Gokhman/STAFF. Don’t hate on me, but I’m into the whole “Hunger Games” thing. A friend dragged me to the first movie, and I thought it was all right; enough to get me to read the…

The National performs at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley on July 29, 2016. Nick DeCicco/STAFF. Director Tom Berninger did not gain an appreciation for indie rock after completing a documentary about his older brother’s Brooklyn band, The National. Mistaken For Strangers, which metamorphosed into a drama about the relationship…

Matt Berninger (center) and The National, courtesy. Two weeks ago I spoke to Matt Berninger, lead singer for The National, who perform just prior to Sir Paul McCartney next Friday at Outside Lands. I have twice before interviewed the band’s bassist, Scott Devendorf. You can read a story here and…