Wednesday, January 09, 2013

Fun times for Father John Misty

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Josh Tillman had a creative breakthrough in 2011. After years of releasing critically acclaimed, low-selling solo albums, he joined a band called Fleet Foxes as they quickly rose from Seattle buzz to international popularity. But it was just a job, and, approaching 30, Tillman knew he had more to give.

Depressed but more financially fit, Tillman quit the band and moved to Los Angeles, where he tried to write a novel. Surrounded by the carefree 21st century hippie musicians of Laurel Canyon, Tillman changed musical directions, letting the sun shine in and dropping his (musical) pants.

Reborn as the character Father John Misty, Tillman’s new band is free to try on 1970s styles from Randy Newman-esque pop to Gram Parsons-y outlaw country with a modern attitude, equally inspired by today’s L.A. comedy scene (“Parks and Recreation”’s Aubrey Plaza stars in the band’s first video, for the song “Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings”).

So, it must feel weird to jump from obscurity to the drum seat to the center of attention, right?

“I hate to say it, but it really didn’t take much adjustment whatsoever,” Tillman laughs. “I’m a nightmare behind the microphone.”

He says he never saw the “artistic merit” behind the showmanship usually unveiled by those on the big stage, but he’s now old enough to be himself and not worry as much about potentially looking foolish.

Now 31, Tillman says, “I think, like any person in their early 20s, I very much wanted to be taken seriously … The J. Tillman (solo) albums, I stand by them. (But) at this stage in the game, I have to distance myself from them for my own creative purposes. I had to, like, prepare the sacrificial lamb for the slaughter and drink its blood,” he laughs, “in order to move on.”

Citing the search for truth and honesty as his mission, Tillman allows, “Your definition of that changes over time.”

His earlier work isn’t too dissimilar from Father John Misty’s album Fear Fun, which was released by Sub Pop last May, but there’s a lightness and a joy now that he had previously tried to suppress. He knew he had that in him all along, but just like Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz,” he had to take the long journey to find where it was.

“I had a moment of illumination when I realized, ‘This shit is so hard because you refuse to use the skills that you have.’”

Tillman says he knows he’s not the first, that some people learn that they’ve been too close to their own personalities and taking themselves for granted for years, only discovering later what was always staring back at them. The insight was, for him, simple but life-changing: “The melancholy and introspection is still there, but what I was leaving out was my ability to laugh.”

He doesn’t stop before the punchline anymore. It’s earned him a new group of fans. “Comedians really respond to this music in a way that makes me proud,” he notes. Backstage after a recent performance on “Conan,” fellow guest Sarah Silverman recognized Tillman’s girlfriend from one of the band’s videos.

A similar thread Tillman sees is that comedians have to go a long way with their craft to be taken seriously, like he has. He calls his current approach to songwriting akin to a magic trick, infusing serious songs with enough humor to make it go down easier. “It’s funny in some respects, but it’s got some dignity.”

He agrees that such an approach is not trendy now, and probably never has been, but people always like it when they hear it. “I think a lot of music at this point is just made under the premise of, ‘Just don’t fuck up!’ (My music) is like navigating a landmine of potential uncool choices.”

When he first arrived in L.A., he went to some comedy open-mics “as a voyeur” but quickly learned he was not built to be a traditional stand-up. He likes his humor best “when it’s totally inappropriate. In that respect, I’m really in the perfect position.”

“In some ways, I fit the bill for ‘white, male, acoustic guitar-playing singer-songwriter’ archetype. A lot of the shit I say on stage is wildly inappropriate, given that archetype. In that way, it’s more enjoyable for me.”

Father John Misty with Magic Trick
Wednesday, Jan. 9
Headliners Music Hall
1386 Lexington Road
headlinersmusichall.com
$12; 9 p.m.

c. 2013 LEO Weekly

Going backstage with ‘Yo Gabba Gabba!’

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The latest tour starring characters from the popular Nick Jr. TV program “Yo Gabba Gabba!” is called “Get the Sillies Out.” It’s their third tour, and if you’ve seen either of the first two tours, this one promises to bring the most popular elements of both together in addition to some new material.

The first threw everything together, maybe a little too much for young audiences. The second was more storytelling-based. Along the way, the producers learned the kids really wanted to hear their favorite songs. Cannons and bubbles remain, but the kids have had their say.

The 80-minute show has an intermission built in to ensure that the shorter half of the audience won’t grow restless or wear themselves out from smiling and dancing. Show creators Christian Jacobs and Scott Schultz both came from rock band backgrounds and are happily mindful that, for many present, it will be their first concert experience.

DJ Lance Rock (played by musician Lance Robertson) hosts the program, joined by cast members Muno, Foofa, Brobee, Toodee, Plex, and two other humans — gem sweater-wearing online celebrity Leslie Hall (also known for her novelty hit record "Gold Pants") and old-school hip-hop icon Biz Markie.

The TV show, now in its fourth season, has earned many adult fans, from parents relieved to have a kids’ show that doesn’t insult anyone’s intelligence to music fans who delight in seeing acts like Biz and co-star Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo, and guests ranging from the Shins to the Roots (and comedy fans who appreciate the Pee Wee-level of silliness, with appearances by comic actors like Amy Sedaris, Jack McBrayer and more).

Still, some adults are surprised to learn about such a hip level of love for this show aimed at preschoolers. Schultz says both Lance and Biz were perfect fits for the show, even before it became a reality, because both have kept in touch with their child within and delight in having fun with the little ones. Biz, Schultz notes, did earn his rep back in the day with songs like “Pickin’ Boogers,” so it shouldn’t seem like such a stretch. “He’s great, we’re just excited to have him.”

In addition to showcasing beloved songs like “Party in My Tummy,” another special aspect of the live show is the post-show meet-and-greet backstage, where delighted (though sometimes confused or scared) children can meet the characters, which appear much bigger in person than many children expect. Schultz says that lines often form for each character, revealing who is more popular. “I thought Tootie would be the one who’s the least popular, but she has a lot of fans … Obviously, Brobee and Foofa — Foofa’s probably the most popular.”

Some parents try to get closer — too close — to the charming DJ Lance, which explains why he has a bodyguard nearby for these events. Like many things about “Yo Gabba Gabba!,” this show has plenty for adults to look at, too.

For those wanting more “Yo,” Schultz says a movie is planned, as well as specials in 2013 — one of which will visit, for the first time, Lance’s room. (But not in that way.)

‘Yo Gabba Gabba! Live’
Sunday, Jan. 13
Palace Theater
625 S. Fourth St.
louisvillepalace.com
$25-$45; 2 & 5 p.m.

c. 2013 LEO Weekly