Florry, Michael Cormier, Swim Camp, Karl Blau and more pay tribute to David Berman with Late Homework compilation

After the passing of Silver Jews frontman and Purple Mountains songwriter David Berman in August, Francie Medosch of the Philly/New York based project Florry and Aaron Powell of Fog Lake felt compelled to find a way honor his life and work. Working with Michael Cormier of Friendship and Hour, who also runs the not-for-profit label Dear Life Records, the result of their idea is a new compilation called Late Homework – The Songs of David Berman, that features 27 different musicians’ interpretations of Berman’s songs.

On the comp, Florry covers the Silver Jews song “Tennessee,” Cormier takes on “Honk If You’re Lonely,” and fellow Philly artists Swim Camp and new-to-town singer-songwriter Karl Blau contribute “Frontier Index” and “Snow is Falling in Manhattan.” Other bands featured in the project include Emperor X, Franz Charcoal, The Funs, Mouse Trap, and many more.

Francie Medosch writes:

“There is an idea that poetry is not the poem itself, but rather the small tidbit here and there that you are able to find, make meaningful connections with. and carry with you in your heart. This is certainly true of what it’s like exploring the absurd yet strangely dignified world of David Berman. In every piece of his writing at any point you might stumble upon the most stunning view of the miraculous beauty of decaying American life. Every line had the same opportunity to blow your mind with it’s brutal and transformative honesty, achingly encompassing a landscape of tragedy-turned-comedy and vice-versa.”

All proceeds from the compilation will benefit Shatterproof, an organization dedicated to helping those struggling with substance abuse. Learn more at shatterproof.org.

On January 4, which would have been David Berman’s 53rd birthday, more Philly musicians will remember his work with a tribute show at World Cafe Live. Speedy Ortiz will be joined by members of Hop Along, Slaughter Beach Dog, Tigers Jaw, mewithoutYou, Radiator Hospital, and more to perform songs from the Silver Jews and Purple Mountains catalogs, with proceeds benefiting MusiCares. Find more information on the XPN Concert Calendar.

Listen to Late Homework below and purchase the compilation on Bandcamp.