“Like they used to say about Joe Montana, he threw soft because he couldn't throw hard. He was successful because he didn't try to do what he couldn't. I couldn't rock out harder than everybody, or overpower people with mastery like Jack White of the White Stripes, so why try? That's why I've always worked harder on words.”

American musician, singer-songwriter and poet

David Cloud Berman was an American musician, singer-songwriter, and poet. He founded the indie rock band Silver Jews and remained its only constant member, alongside Pavement’s Stephen Malkmus and Bob Nastanovich. Berman worked across music and poetry, and Silver Jews became the project most closely associated with his name. His writing and lyrics are linked to the same dry, observant sensibility that shaped his work as a poet and songwriter.