David Berman Interview

David Berman is, essentially, Silver Jews. Other people play in the band, make guitar stuff and other noises, but Mr. Berman is the brilliance, and he just chooses the people he wants in there with him. He's an observer, but he's been through a lot of shit himself. He's a poet, used to be hooked on crack and he loves the hell out of his wife. He's a good dude, but who gives a shit about that. We interviewed him because he's a musician with a new album, Tanglewood Numbers, coming out.


What are you up to today?
I just got back from visiting my sister in Florida. While I was swimming in the Gulf my wedding ring fell off. My wife wrangled a British kid, a 12 or 13-year-old who began madly diving for it with his mask and flippers. Young boys are rarely given a purpose. When I left the beach at sunset he was still going, diving for gold.

Tell us something wonderful about your wife.
She actually sleeps in that fairytale position, on her side, with her cheek resting on her two hands, pressed together, palm to palm in the shape of a pillow.

What's the nicest thing you've said about her in a song or poem?
I'm not the kind of photographer that takes pictures of his own apartment. With all due respect to Jim Croce, but why should I say "I love you" with a song, when I can tell her face-to-face?

When is the last time you bummed her out? Why'd you do it?
Lately, when I sweat, a sort of spicy taco smell comes out of my armpits. Sometimes I play it up, finding excuses to wave my arms around or put my hands behind my head. My grandmother often said there was just plain meanness, and I had it.

What's it like playing music with [your wife]?
It is like a "bicycle built for two". That is the best way I can describe it.

Do you feel bad that she has to go to work when you just sit around and write in your diary all day?
I'm writing as hard as I can to be able to afford her to quit her job.

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