Father John Misty Biography

Born Joshua Michael Tillman on 3 May 1981, Father John Misty is a colourful character in the music world. He was a member of several indie bands, such as Fleet Foxes and Saxon Shore and also collaborated with artists like Beyonce, Lady Gaga and Kid Cudi.

Early Years

He started singing and playing instruments like the piano or the drums from an early age. He grew up in a medium that revolved around religion. Tillman considers that he was denied cultural experience when it comes to music. He wasn’t allowed to listen to music that was considerate inappropriate for his spiritual education and evolution. Afer graduating Nyack College, Joshua moved to New York. There he worked at a bakery and started to sing with Damien Jurado.

Breakthrough

Under Fargo Records, he released his debut solo album Minor Works. It was followed by reissues of his CDs I Will Return and Long May You Run. Soon after he enjoyed success with the Fleet Foxes for approximatively four years. Choosing to pursue his solo career, he picked the name Father John Misty and released the album Fear Fun in 2012. The album was critically acclaimed and it received a 83/100 rating on Metacritic.

Father John Misty consolidated his position in the indie scene with the album I Love You, Honeybear (2015). With another great Metacritic score of 87/100, the album spawned the hit single “Bored in the USA.”

Staying on Top

He grasped everybody’s attention when he ranted about the entertainment being stupid at a music festival in New Jersey. He played only two songs in the fifty minutes allocated and said that “stupidity just fucking runs the world because entertainment is stupid.” Tillman ended the controversial performance by saying to the crowd that he loves them.

Father John Misty uploaded songs like “I Want Real Love Baby” and “Holy Heil” on Soundcloud. He released the album Pure Comedy on 7 April 2017. With singles like “Pure Comedy” and “Total Entertainment Forever”, it was another critically acclaimed success for the indie singer.

Photo Source: Discogs