Courtney was born as Martin Courtney IV in Ridgewood,
New Jersey, the son of Martin Courtney III and Mary Ellen Courtney. He attended
Ridgewood High School with current
Real Estate bandmate
Alex Bleeker and former bandmate
Matt Mondanile. After graduating from high school, he studied at
The Evergreen State College in
Olympia,
Washington, where his focus was "mostly literature." Courtney's parents run a real estate business, which inspired the name of the band. Courtney spent a short time as the keyboardist for indie punk rock group
Titus Andronicus from the neighboring town
Glen Rock, New Jersey in 2006. in Ridgewood on October 13, 2012, following Real Estate's tour for 2011's
Days. They have since had multiple daughters. He currently resides in upstate New York with his family. in 2013 Courtney released his first solo album,
Many Moons, on October 30, 2015, to critical acclaim. This was followed by his second solo release
Magic Sign, on June 24, 2022. ==Discography==