Silver Jews Archives

David Berman would have celebrated his 53rd birthday yesterday, and numerous friends and former bandmates took the occasion to celebrate the Silver Jews and Purple Mountains songwriter's passing. Amid tribute shows in New York and Philadelphia, the Portland-based zine chickfactor held their own night of performances at Bunk Bar, which included sets from Pavement members Stephen Malkmus and Bob Nastonovich, as well as the Spinanes' Rebecca Gates, William Tyler, Clay Cole, Frank Bruno, Red Ronne, A Certain Smile, and more. As Stereogum points out, Malkmus and Nastonovich performed together, covering American Water's "Random Rules" and the perennial Starlite Walker favorite "Trains Across the Sea." Elsewhere in the night, William Tyler and Rebecca Gates teamed up to cover Berman's Purple Mountains standout "Snow Falling in Manhattan." David Berman died this past August of what was later ruled a suicide. Since his death, numerous musicians have paid homage to the songwriter, both on social media and in tribute covers of their own. Watch footage of Berman's birthday celebration below and revisit our review of the songwriter's excellent 2019 album Purple Mountains here. https://twitter.com/lancebangs/status/1213774565907685376 View this post on Instagram Stephen Malkmus plays David Berman 😭😭😭✨✨✨ #randomrules #silverjews #davidberman A post shared by Michelle Ramin (@michelleramin) on Jan 5, 2020 at 1:31am PST View this post on Instagram I want Rebecca Gates and William Tyler to record this cover of “Snow Falling in Manhattan” like, tomorrow. These uncannily apt lyrics come right after I stopped recording: Songs build little rooms in time And housed within the song's design Is the ghost the host has left behind . #davidberman #purplemountains #rebeccagates #williamtyler A post shared by Chelsey Johnson (@stray_city) on Jan 5, 2020 at 2:05am PST

Silver Jews

Stephen Malkmus and Bob Nastanovich Cover David Berman Songs at Birthday Memorial Show

Silver Jews Members Are Hosting David Berman Tribute Shows on Late Songwriter’s 53rd Birthday

Watch Stephen Malkmus Cover 2 Silver Jews Songs in Glasglow

Avey Tare and Geologist Cover Silver Jews’ “Ballad of Reverend War Character”

Watch Bill Callahan Cover Silver Jews “I Remember Me” and “Trains Across the Sea”

First Aid Kit Release Tribute to David Berman, Cover Silver Jews’ “Random Rules”

David Berman: An Evolution in 11 Songs

Drag City: Our 1993 Feature on the Chicago Indie Label

Stephen Malkmus, Mountain Goats, More React to David Berman’s Death

David Berman Dead at 52

Purple Mountains’ David Berman Talks Staying Sober, Stephen Malkmus, and His “Best” Song in Reddit AMA

Stream David Berman’s New Album as Purple Mountains

David Berman Says Critics Enable Bad Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen Records

Silver Jews’ David Berman Announces Purple Mountains Album, Releases “All My Happiness Is Gone” Video

Silver Jews’ David Berman Releases First New Music in 11 Years as Purple Mountains

Silver Jews’ David Berman to Launch New Band in 2019, Says Bob Nastanovich

40 Albums We’re Excited For in 2019 [Updated]

10 Great Drag City Releases to Hear Now That Their Catalog Is Streaming

Drag City Is Now Streaming on Spotify, Tidal, and Google Play

Classic Drag City Albums by Pavement, Silver Jews, Bonnie “Prince” Billy and More Now Streaming on Apple Music

The Arcs Share New Single, ‘Young,’ Written With Silver Jews’ David Berman

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Silver Jews to Play in Underground Cave!

Silver Jews Celebrate Rosh Hashana in Portland

SPIN’s Week in Review, June 23-27

Silver Jews Unveil Fall Tour

The SPIN Interview: Stephen Malkmus

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