A year after Berman's rehabilitation, Silver Jews—with a lineup including Cassie, Malkmus, Nastanovich, Bobby Bare Jr., Paz Lenchantin, and William Tyler—released "Tanglewood Numbers". This saw the band embark on their first tour. Berman had been "100% sober" during "Tanglewood Numbers"' composition and release. This changed with touring which made him "a daily pot smoker." Berman said that "It was the only way I could cordon myself off from the fuss, and endure the boredom. I was a daily smoker from 2006 to 2009."