Interview: J. Tillman (of Fleet Foxes)
Of all the accomplished musicians in the modern folk era, Josh Tillman stands as the reigning prince. His catalogue spans the greater part of the past decade so if your knowledge of him is still only with that one Seattle Band, you better check out your iTunes.
The reality is, Tillman is better known as an accomplished multi instrumentalist songwriter than just the man behind the kit, and on his latest disc, Year in the Kingdome (out since late September), he takes his writing skills a step further. All in all his musical library of is one that continues to pick up steam, every record getting a little bit deeper. Just listen to the story telling on “There is No Good in Me”, or the organic feel of “Crosswinds”. Beautiful stuff really, and you can’t help you wonder if he had just a little bit more to do with the Fleet Foxes direction than they let on.
With a national tour fresh out the gates to carry the new record, I had a chance to ask some questions about the new disc and how things were going for the quiet storm known as J. Tillman. Afterward, I could tell he would rather let the music do the talking for him.
You’re about to kick off the tour behind your latest record. What can fans look forward to this time around?
Well, hopefully people are just looking for me to get on stage and play songs that I’ve written, any expectations outside of that may be disappointed.
The tour is taking you all over the place as apposed to the usual west coast dates. Anywhere in particular you’re excited to go?
Fargo, Birmingham, Atlanta, Los Angeles
You’ve got several records to your name, the bulk of which were before Fleet Foxes. What got you to change gears and join that band? How has it been juggling both?
I just loved the music, and the fit seemed kind of undeniable. It was a very “Five of Cups” time for me.
Your records, especially this latest one, have real attention to flow when the tracks are laid out. Is that a conscious decision when you’re writing, or more of a consequence?
Certain songs inspire other ones, this song cycle was very obvious to me immediately. With my last record it took a while for me to break the code.
There are some dark moments that come out on this record, “Though I Have Wronged You” being an example. Did you have some demons to work out here?
Those guys are always around. I’m not interested in working them out, they’re pretty playful.
“There is no Good in Me” is a great story song. What inspired that one?
It’s kind of Zoroastrian narrative, good and evil existing outside of our perceived moral duality. Or the idea that someone with influence enough can just dictate what “good” and “evil” are.
There are some striking details on this record, like the string sections on “Howling” and the woodwinds on “Crosswinds”. Were they all your idea?
They were. My friend Jenna is an incredible cellist. She’s great about just letting me sing parts and melodies to her, and then bringing them into existence. That’s not something that a lot musicians can or are willing to do.
I saw on your MySpace that your 2010 plans are TBA. Think you could give a few hints as to what your planning?
Just more music.
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