“People think I’ve been to the moon, they think I’ve met an alien”: The National’s Matt Berninger on how people react when they find out he’s worked with Taylor Swift, and why she’s such a great lyricist

Matt Berninger and Taylor Swift.

Taylor Swift has long been a fan of The National, at least once referring to them as her favourite band.

Her relationship with them goes deeper than admiration, though: she’s worked extensively with the band’s Aaron Dessner - notably on her ‘lockdown albums’ Folklore and Evermore - and guested on The National’s The Alcott, from their 2023 album First Two Pages of Frankenstein.