Comments on: David Berman of Silver Jews: The Lost Interview

By: Dead C

Dead C — Tue, 26 May 2009 02:08:09 +0000

JR-
thanks.

I don’t know the people like to say that “imitation is the sincerest for of flattery”. There’s truth in it but theft is theft. I think that someone can be a lot more successful if they encourage others to explore their own strengths and find their own voices. That’s what is sounds like you feel Berman has been able to achieve and, if so, I agree.

I also encourage people to look into some more of his interviews/work. I tend to research as much as I can before attempting an interview so as to avoid being to repetitive with the angle or questions. This obviously means that there is a lot of good shit out there to be found but, I avoided it intentionally. We try to cover things that we love or find interesting for those who might be into them too but, I also hope that people can find out about artists that they don’t know about and then go research them further.

By: JR

JR — Tue, 26 May 2009 00:29:44 +0000

Good interview, Berman is a great chap and I will always be interested in whatever he does. I’ve been getting more into reading/writing poetry through reading his book ‘Actual Air’ and listening to Joo’s stuff. Heck, I got plenty of writing tips from him just by reading his interviews. This interview is good un all but lets not forget that when he writes about his approach to his different crafts he’s just as interesting, wiki has some good links to other examples if anyone’s interested. Personally, I think he’s in a great position at the moment, the issues he pointed to on his final forum post are obviously difficult for him, but I think he knows he’s got something worth sharing- and there’s no real danger of him selling out or being a phony act, I think he hinted at that, referring to making the next Shiny Happy People record. He’s too funny for his own good!! That album is brilliant, makes me smile, party barge makes me grin AND it has sampled seagulls and ship horns, it’s perfect to listen on a sunny day – (altho i skip the first track which is like a clockwork gyspy nightmare). AAaaanyway – Honesty is his strength and I expect the vast majority of people are behind him like I am. The hardwork he puts into his art is appreciated and it’s that feeling of creating statements that are original and meant to last that make the difference for me, plus the scope for re-discovery is immense. He’s up there with Wilco and The Fall in my favourite artists. I don’t normally ramble on the internet like this, it’s just cos Mr Berman is so damn entertaining that I feel the need! Killer Cut!!

By: Dead C

Dead C — Sat, 23 May 2009 20:06:25 +0000

it and Brian-

Thanks

By: Brian

Brian — Mon, 18 May 2009 20:16:29 +0000

Nice! I liked reading this. I’m a huge SJ fan. In spite of the reason that brought me to this blog I will keep reading.

By: jt

jt — Sun, 17 May 2009 23:45:23 +0000

good man, dead c. dont let the bluebirds (negheads) tool ya’- one senses dudes like ‘john’ wouldve spent an age on carving out a tragically hip question for the bard just to show how incisive and disconnected they were

By: Dead C

Dead C — Wed, 13 May 2009 02:27:28 +0000

John-

I just found your above comment trapped through the SPAM filter. I just didn’t want to let a gem like that slip through the cracks. Don’t worry, it was not censored.

By: Dead C

Dead C — Tue, 12 May 2009 22:48:22 +0000

"supposed to"? What about yes or no questions? They're always longer than the answers. The most uneven question, as far its length versus the answer's, is obviously the one about suicide. There is no accounting for tone through emails and I felt that I may have over thought it. After I received his answer, however, I was glad that it was so long and overly explanatory. I didn't want to say, "Hey, I had a suicide attempt, but got a lot out of it" and then get a response from him saying, "Yeah, me too". I wanted to be extremely cautious about not coming across as endorsing something like that. Putting your hand on a hot grill is a bad idea, but learning that there is danger in experimenting with something like that still has its benefits.

By: Civil Jars

Civil Jars — Tue, 12 May 2009 21:12:40 +0000

Jesus.

Questions aren’t supposed to be longer than the answers.

I could be meaner, but it was nice to hear from Berman while he’s in between projects.

By: Dead C

Dead C — Tue, 12 May 2009 19:47:24 +0000

Thanks mom

By: john

john — Tue, 12 May 2009 17:20:19 +0000

Wow reading this “interview” was painful, your questions are long, pretentious, and directive. With the feeling I got after reading this I’m sure if Mr. Berman did not receive a invasive letter by you in the mail he would have just not responded, ever, or when finished reading each question answered a uninterested yes or no.