5GB With David Berkeley; Playing Eddie’s Attic Tomorrow, Jan. 12

By Eileen Tilson/ @tktalt_tn

I remember seeing David Berkeley when he played at Unplugged in the Park a few years ago, and being mesmerized…Now normally I am not the biggest fan of whimsical singer/songwriters, but there was just something different about David. This Bay-area musician is multi-talented. With a new book “140 Goats and a Guitar: The Stories Behind Some Kind of Cure,” and a new album, Berkeley has been touring the country with a slew of tastemakers supporting him along the way. Berkeley returns to Eddie’s Attic tomorrow for an intimate performance and book reading. He joined us as part of our 5GB series before the show.
What was the first gig you ever went to?

David Bowie’s Glass Spider Tour in Denver was an early one. But I think the first was when my uncle took me to a Grateful Dead concert in Madison Square Garden. I was about 12. All sorts of things were passed around, and I’m not talking popcorn.

What is the best gig that you ever played/performed at?

The day after my wedding, I got a last minute call to open 2 shows for Dido at the Beacon Theater. My wife and I raced back from Vermont to NY and made it to the theater about 10 minutes before I had to be onstage. I didn’t have my guitar or anything to wear. A crew member loaned me a guitar, and someone went out and bought me a pair of jeans. I walked out and for some reason decided to say to the crowd, “Good Evening New York City. Thank you for being here. My name is Dido.”

What is the best gig you have ever been to?

Other than the Grateful Dead when I was 12? I was pretty pleased with Bon Iver at the Greek Theater a few months ago.

Gig you would most like to play?

I saw a clip of Susan Vega playing in a venue in Europe that is basically an underground cave. I can’t recall the name, but that might be the most amazing spot I’ve seen. Other than that, I’ve had this dream of doing a concert at Berkeley Castle in England.

What would be the lineup for your dream gig?

I’d love to play a show with Neil Young somewhere. How about Red Rocks? Or better yet, how about somewhere small like the Ark in Ann Arbor. How about like 30 shows with Neil Young at the Ark.

Catch David Berkeley tomorrow night at Eddie’s Attic