J. Tillman

J. Tillman

Joshua Michael Tillman (born May 3, 1981), better known by his stage name Father John Misty, is an American musician, singer-songwriter, and record producer. Tillman is known for his satirical lyricism and eccentric performance style. Tillman began his career in Seattle in the early 2000s, One of his demos reached Damien Jurado, and in 2003 he opened for him on his tour. Tillman began performing and releasing studio albums under the name J. Tillman. The albums were characterised for their folk sound and intimate lyricism. In 2008 Tillman joined the band Fleet Foxes, as their drummer during the tour for their first record, he also went on to play on their sophomore album Helplessness Blues (2011). Tillman left the band soon after the record was completed, and started a new solo project, now under the name Father John Misty, releasing his first record, Fear Fun, in 2012. The album was a radical departure from his previous output, featuring a more marked, indie rock sound, and satirical lyricism. His sophomore album I Love You, Honeybear (2015) received widespread acclaim, and was said to be a concept album, based on Tillman's relationship with his wife Emma. Honeybear was followed by another concept album Pure Comedy (2017), exchanging the romantic content of the former for a nihilistic view of society, consumerism, and politics. His next two records God's Favorite Customer (2018) and Chloë and the Next 20th Century (2022) explore soft rock and traditional pop respectively. During his career he has been either a permanent or touring member of Demon Hunter, Saxon Shore, Jeffertitti's Nile, Pearly Gate Music, Siberian, Har Mar Superstar, Poor Moon, Low Hums, and Jonathan Wilson, and has toured extensively with Jesse Sykes, and David Bazan. As a record producer and songwriter, Tillman has also made contributions to albums by more mainstream artists such as Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Kid Cudi, Lana Del Rey, and Post Malone.

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