The man was an actual poet
“And when I see her in the park
It barely merits a remark
How we stand the standard distance
Distant strangers stand apart”
but also so funny
“I met failure in Australia
I fell ill in Illinois
I nearly lost my genitalia
To an anthill in Des Moines
I was so far gone in Fargo
South Dakota got annoyed
That’s the shit I'm talkin’ 'bout
When I talk to you about
Ceaseless feasts of schadenfreude”
May 27, 2024
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Poet & songwriter best known as the frontman of “Silver Jews,“ and the lesser known “Purple Mountains,“ Berman has a way of exploring the beauty in the darker aspects of life. Berman tragically took his in 2019. He had such a special way with words both as a poet and a songwriter. My favorite song of his, “Famous Eyes” is linked above.
Jan 25, 2024
If you love Silver Jews, Purple Mountains, his books "Actual Air" and "The Portable February"
Then you miss Berman as much as I do.
I only caught him live once, in Portland, OR back in 2006 with his friend/fellow Silver Jew/PDX resident Stephen Malkmus accompanying him. It was an amazing evening. I had been a fan a long time by that point and the setlist literally covered the waterfront.
“It was the light in things that made them last,” Berman wrote in his poem “Governors on Sominex.” I'm grateful that David lasted as long as he did. His perfect, specific work will stand the test of time for a long time to come.
You can read Pitchfork's beautifully written tribute here.
Jan 4, 2025
Last night I attended an annual benefit concert that celebrates the life and work of David Berman. Last week, in preparation, a friend of mine whose obsession does not yet run as deep asked me to make a playlist. So I made this, as a (long) introduction. While it felt impossible to whittle the discography down to essential tracks, it seemed equally impossible to take a wrong turn in choosing, because every song he wrote had some magic in it.
I figured I’d share it here too, so theres the link^
Jan 5, 2025
Top Recs from @beatrix
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“Wanna be friends?” is an underutilized tactic in adulthood. Kindergarteners know what’s up.
Jul 9, 2024
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This is a type of walk I do almost every day. Walk in one direction until you hit a stoplight. Then immediately turn and walk in the new direction until you hit a stoplight and repeat until you get back home.
Mar 18, 2024
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I’m that open minded bitch
Aug 10, 2024