Father John Misty is “all of me and none of me,” says Josh Tillman. The longtime signer/songwriter released Fear Fun, his debut under the Father John Misty moniker, after leaving the universally adored gods of indie folk, Fleet Foxes. It may sound like a brash decision considering Tillman had a job playing drums for a successful touring band, but he wasn’t satisfied with his role in the group. He wanted more creative input and, as a result, Tillman played his last show with the Foxes and bailed.
After moving back to the West coast, Tillman ventured down the Pacific Coast Highway to L.A. with a load of mushrooms and the goal of finishing a novel. Though the novel didn’t quite happen, he did make it to Los Angeles where he lived in a shed for a few months and wrote the majority of Fear Fun. The album is a colorful, hilarious odyssey through various stories and characters. Tillman’s musical palette is diverse, borrowing from ’70s soft rock, old-timey country, and indie rock.
Since releasing Fear Fun, Tillman has toured the world, released a freakin’ perfume, and begun work on a follow-up album, I Love You Honeybear. Tillman is currently on a solo tour, which will come through High Noon Saloon tomorrow. In honor of the almighty Father John, we celebrate five of his holiest works:
“I’m Writing a Novel”
This Fear Fun track is a three-minute country romp that more or less summarizes the album’s sense of humor. Throughout the song, you don’t really know if Tillman is telling you the truth as he details a psychedelic trip with a friend called Neil… but you get the feeling he probably is.
“Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings”
The album’s biggest hit, “Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings” is a hard-hitting indie rock track. The booming drums and crunchy guitars convey a sense of urgency and seriousness that other Fear Fun tracks don’t. The song was allegedly written after a debauched night Tillman and a girl spent at the celebrity-laden Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
“Nancy From Now On”
“Nancy From Now On” is a heartfelt ’70s rock throwback. The track boasts one of the best arrangements on Fear Fun, with spacious orchestral treatments and luscious vocal harmonies. Tillman’s creamy, manly voice really shines on this one, especially when he asks you to call him Nancy.
“This is Sally Hatchet”
This is another apocalyptic rocker, in the vein of “Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings.” Tillman narrates the story of a Sally Hatchet, a struggling girl with a spotty past life. The song starts out as a graceful, Beatles-esque tune and evolves into a warped, cacophonous finale. Mmm Mmm Mmmm!
“I Love You, Honeybear”
This is a newer Tillman track that exists solely on YouTube, but it’s one of his finest. If you’re in the market to expand your vocabulary, Tillman’s verbosity is at an all-time high on “I Love You, Honeybear.” The song is one of Tillman’s more obvious love tracks and it’s easy to believe his “steadfast conviction” as he sings about it.