Father John Misty is the stage name of Joshua Michael Tillman, an American singer and songwriter. He’s a man with a million thoughts about a million things, so it’s no surprise he’s also a prolific musician, releasing 11 albums and seven EP’s, plus eight singles. Tillman has been DIY recording steadily since 2004.
Born in Rockville, Maryland, Tillman has a younger brother and two sisters. At an early age he decided to make music his career. Joshua learned to play the drums and at age 12 took up the guitar. The content of his songs were certain to be affected by the spiritual aspects of his upbringing, which he describes as “culturally oppressive.” He and his parents were estranged for many years, but have since resumed contact.
After a brief period of time he spent in a New York college, Tillman moved to Seattle at age 21 and joined a succession of eleven groups plying the Pacific Northwest indie rock scene.
He got noticed opening for Damien Jurado and was signed to the indie Fargo label, which issued his first solo album Minor Works (2006) followed by four more albums. In 2008 Tillman joined Fleet Foxes as their drummer and left after four years for his renewed solo career and sound under the pseudonym “Father John Misty.”
The November 2024 record Mahashmashana is the upcoming sixth studio album, and is to be to be released through Sub Pop and Bella Union on November 22, 2024. The album was produced in Los Angeles by Tillman and Drew Erickson with frequent collaborator Jonathan Wilson acting as executive producer. The album artwork was designed by artist Joe Roberts. Its title refers to the Sanskrit word Mahāśmaśāna (महाश्मशान), meaning “great cremation ground”.
REF: Wiki, Stereogum
Discography:
- Fear Fun (2012)
- I Love You, Honeybear (2015)
- Pure Comedy (2017)
- God’s Favorite Customer (2018)
- Chloë and the Next 20th Century (2022)
- Mahashmashana (2024)
Sacramento’s K-ZAP 93.3 FM plays Father John Misty–All part of 50 years of Rock, Blues and More, 24-7 on our station’s stream at K-ZAP.ORG/LISTEN/
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