Musicians pay tribute to Silver Jews' David Berman

Berman started Silver Jews in 1989 with Stephen Malkmus and Bob Nastanovich. Berman was the only constant member, and released six albums, the last being 2008's Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea.

In May of this year, Berman launched his new project Purple Mountains, and released his first new music in over a decade. They released their self-titled debut album on 12 July via Drag City.

Drag City announced the news of Berman's death yesterday (7 August), writing, "We couldn't be more sorry to tell you this. David Berman passed away earlier today. A great friend and one of the most inspiring individuals we've ever known is gone. Rest easy, David."

We couldn't be more sorry to tell you this. David Berman passed away earlier today. A great friend and one of the most inspiring individuals we've ever known is gone. Rest easy, David. pic.twitter.com/5n5bctcu4j

— (@dragcityrecords) August 7, 2019

Upon hearing the news of Berman's passing, musicians around the globe have been paying tribute to the poet and musician.

I just downloaded his whole discography for the boat. Was ready to just log off and zone in on a master. We don’t know what happened but it makes me fucking terrified of myself of this job of this sorrow. Of this thing we get asked about as cathartic but never really is.

— Japanese Breakfast (@Jbrekkie) August 7, 2019

my fav david berman poem :( so sad to see him go pic.twitter.com/BPnYsJPwCH

— soccer mommy (@sopharela) August 8, 2019

So saddened by the loss of David Berman. A truly special songwriter and inspiration to us, but also a kind soul.

Last year — as a gift to our bandmate Neil — he recorded a version of ‘We Are Real’: ‘We Love Neil’. Won’t ever forget Neil’s reaction to watching it, thank you DB. pic.twitter.com/6JZOBdXYMX

— Los Campesinos! (@LosCampesinos) August 8, 2019

I didn’t know about my friend DCB when I wrote this must have been in the air .His death is fucking dark ..depression is crippling.. he was a one of a kinder the songs he wrote were his main passion esp at the end. Hope death equals peace cuz he could sure use it

— Stephen malkmus (@dronecoma) August 8, 2019

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So crushed. I grew up on David Berman and the Silver Jews catalogue in mostly real time... in such a way that his music and lyrics and vocals have touched me to this day and are still growing in significance (and of course a higher high of nostalgia on the side with each revisitation... and there has been so much revisiting these last few years I must say). I was so excited for these upcoming shows and how amazing the new Purple Mountains record is. I was so stoked and so proud of Jarvis and Jeremy and the @woodsist gang for knocking this album outta the park. David's music always hit on a basic human gut level just in the power of his lyrics and voice alone... in a way no other modern artist of my generation has been able to... We were friends but I was looking forward to hopefully becoming closer and was so excited to see him around with purple mountains and hopefully play on “trains across the sea” in philly. Speaking of that tune (and others)... I’ve been singing a few silver jews songs to my daughters at night before they go to bed... since they were little... (it was a no brainer in the dna of my upbringing...) they were always affected by Cassie’s beautiful voice in “Tennessee” and would wanna sing that part... to the extent the first song my oldest daughter Awilda sang from memory (and later we recorded a version of) was "trains across the sea" and she performed "new orleans" at her co-op talent show. When my family came thru Nashville David and Cassie took us in graciously and David bought the girls a Mr Games style trinket I guess you might call a diorama music box (?) either way it will be cherished always. Love forever to Cassie and David from Kurt, Suzanne, Awilda and Delphine. “Snow is falling in Manhattan...” “I loved being my mother’s son...” “when god was young... he made the wind and the sun. And since then it’s been a slow education. And you got that one idea again.........” “oh... oh oh... I’m lightening. Oh... oh oh... I’m rain. Oh... oh oh... it’s frightening... I’m not the same. I’m not the same. I’m not the same.” God bless @dragcityrecords for releasing so much (and all) of his material. R.I.P. David Berman. You will be missed.

A post shared by Kurt Vile (@kurtvile) on Aug 7, 2019 at 8:36pm PDT

Words cannot begin to describe how well these words describe the sadness and beauty of the vacant lot called our world. Horrifying that such a clear view of the void can be fatal. Rest In Peace DB. https://t.co/3Aa5vMxtLw pic.twitter.com/BjQSl4BhE0

— Deerhunter (@DeerhunterMusic) August 8, 2019

Very very sad to hear David Berman has passed away. A massive talent and a huge influence on us. RIP

— Aaron Dessner (@aaron_dessner) August 7, 2019

rest in peace to the great David Berman

— el-p (@therealelp) August 8, 2019

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We have no words to describe how we feel this morning to learn of the loss of David Berman. All our love goes out to his family & loved ones, the Drag City family and the musicians who journeyed with him. We were fortunate enough to have David contribute his sublime words to both Wildflower and our upcoming album. What a gift. On a personal level David was always there for me throughout the ups and downs of life and provided much guidance, solace and humor reflecting on our shared struggles. You helped me so much David. His book Actual Air remains a standalone work of rare beauty and a heartbreaking look at the magic inherent in the day-to-day. Farewell David ...you are the light by which we travel into this and that - r

A post shared by The Avalanches (@theavalanches) on Aug 7, 2019 at 5:19pm PDT