During
our mid-year recap; I noted that Father John Misty's Fear Fun was, by far, my favorite release from
the last six months. So, it should come as no surprise that I highly recommend
you show up early to tonight’s show at Town Ballroom to see him opening for
Youth Lagoon. But, you may be asking yourself, who is this mysterious man, pictured
above looking bored amidst a coven of wandering witches (which, I am told on
the highest authority, happens all the time in the Pacific Northwest)?
Father John Misty is Joshua Tillman, and he has been releasing music since 2004 under the name J.
Tillman, and during his tenure as the drummer of Fleet Foxes. Tillman left
Fleet Foxes in early 2012 to further pursue solo work. As J. Tillman, the
singer wrote quiet and minimal folk songs for a series of earlier releases. Recasting himself as Father John
Misty, Tillman set out to do something different, and Sub Pop released his
debut, Fear Fun, under this new
moniker.
Fear Fun is in the vein of singer-songwriters like Sharon Van Etten
and Cass McCombs. It is stylistically diverse with strong, clear, vocals
uniting each track. Tillman handles the larger change in musical direction deftly, demonstrating
his versatility with strong songwriting and
witty lyrics. Sweeping and stirring songs like “Only Son of the Ladiesman,” are
mixed with rockers like “Hollywood Forever Cemetary Sings,” and more mellow pieces like “Nancy
from Now On.”
Father
John Misty is a headlining act in his own right. Being paired with the equally
strong Youth Lagoon makes tonight’s show at Town Ballroom an excellent
opportunity to see two rising stars in one place. Please enjoy the video,
linked below, for the single, “Hollywood Forever Cemetary Sings,” which features Parks and
Recreation’s Aubrey Plaza. In it, Plaza plays a very unique funeral guest.
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