speed of dark

After Josh Tillman announced earlier this year that he had become a Fleet Fox, I thought of a lot of questions to ask him. When FF played their show at the Echo (see Fleet Foxes at the Echo) a few weeks ago, I asked Tillman if he would mind answering them for an interview. We did the exchange by e-mail, and these are the results.

Alt-Gramma: Last November you were doing shows with David Bazan (J. Tillman at the Glass House). Did Bazan impart any wisdom to you?

JT: Dave said, "I'm like a tortoise, man. Or a whale." That's helped me through a few bouts of potential towel throwing.

AG: His advice makes sense--develop a hard shell you can hide in when you need to, and swim free and sing your songs even when you don't know who is listening.
You sent out your MySpace bulletin in early May announcing that you had joined Fleet Foxes. How did that come about? How long was that deal in the works before you announced it?

JT: Well, that makes it sound way more officious of an event than it actually was. Here's a brief recap:
Robin: "Would you be interested in playing drums with us?"
Josh: "Sure!"
Robin: "Are you sure? Because I know you have your own stuff going on."
Josh: "No big deal. Sounds like fun."

AG: Although I knew you also played drums, your fans and I know you as a songwriter and guitarist. Do you see yourself as more of a drummer than a guitarist?

JT: Most of the time I feel like a singing/dancing corpse.

AG: Ew, that bad...I'm sorry!


What touring is really like, from Tillman's MySpace

AG: How do you see your role in supporting Fleet Foxes? Your voice and singing skills must have been a factor in FF asking you to join.

JT: I just asked the guys and they said that those particular skill sets definitely contributed to the attractiveness of the prospect of me being in the band.

AG: I can see why Fleet Foxes want you in the band. What about them is attractive to you? (Boy, did I word that question badly!)

JT: Casey's olive skin, Robin's broad shoulders, Sky's boyish charm, Christian's excellent posture; there are a million different ways that they're attractive to me.

AG: Do you have a favorite Fleet Foxes song?

JT: "Tiger Mountain Peasant Song" is a personal fave.

AG: How does solo artist "J. Tillman" feel about being just one of the guys in the band, especially a band led by a strong, creative talent like Robin Pecknold?

JT: I really enjoy the anonymity of being in a band. I didn't start playing music because I was into the idea of it being about me. It gives me a different perspective on myself and my value or lack thereof as a songwriter, which is helpful. It's mostly just about fun, which my endeavors as a solo artist haven't afforded me as regularly.

AG: You had Vacilando Territory Blues in the can a couple of months ago, didn't you? Is the album still going to be released? Has there been any discussion of your being an opening act for FF?

JT: I'm opening the FF European tour in Nov. and VTB is coming out in Europe in Jan. '09 or so. Not sure if it will come out in the US.

AG: You are a pretty prolific songwriter. Are you still writing new
songs, or are you taking a break?

JT: I've got a new batch of songs ready for an album called Lady, Be Still. Not sure when/how those will see the light of day.

AG: As it stands now, will you be on Fleet Foxes' next recording?

JT: Yes.

AG: I personally love small venues for the warmth and connection between the audience and the performer, and I felt it very strongly at the Echo show. How is the band planning to keep that connection when the audience numbers in the thousands instead of the hundreds?

JT: We like smaller places too. We'll probably try to do some two-nighters.

AG: Those Wilco shows will be huge: INB in Spokane holds 2700, and Les Schwab holds 8000.

JT: Well, that's what Jumbotrons are for.

AG: Thanks for adding the word 'Jumbotron' to my vocabulary. I did not realize those things had a brand name. And thanks for the interview!

Restlessness from Minor Works (2006)
My Waking Days from Long May You Run, J. Tillman

J. Tillman MySpace | Fleet Foxes MySpace

Album Reviews: Cancer and Delirium, Minor Works

J. Tillman's entire discography is now available on iTunes, including a remastered version of Long May You Run, J. Tillman.
Also buy directly from J. Tillman on MySpace