“What I call it is totally arbitrary, but I like the name. You’ve got to have a name. I never got to choose mine.”
—J. Tillman
So you can go ahead and rule out that Tillman, better known as Father John Misty, is an artist whose name reflects an alignment with modern American religious ideology. The singer/songwriter has been penning tunes and riding their waves since the mid-2000s through releases attached to more than one name. Having stints in both Fleet Foxes and Saxon Shore before venturing out solo under both his own name and then the moniker Father John Misty, Tillman’s talent has seen good company over the years.
The good Father John Misty will be coming to the 9:30 Club on October 23 with comedian Kate Berlant in tow, and we have tickets to give away.
Tillman’s own sound is one of folksy guitar and clever lyrical content. He’s got a sort of off-handed carelessness that makes itself apparent in his songwriting, of which the tunes seem to have passion, but an indifference for an audience. This manifests as an undeniable charm that is thematic throughout his work, especially in his newest material.
Last year, Father John Misty released Fear Fun through Sub Pop Records. The obscure collection of music was produced after a drug-fueled car trip in search of inspiration. Coming away with a new voice and angle on songwriting, Tillman thusly composed his most off-the-wall effort yet.
So, tickets. For a chance to win them, tell us your favorite drug-inspired musical band, album, or song. I’m going to go with the (post-At The Drive-In/pre-Mars Volta) Omar Rodriguez Lopez project, the band De Facto.
The winner will be chosen at noon on Friday, October 18. Tickets are still available.
