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Father John Misty
Father John Misty: ‘What single thing would improve the quality of my life? A hit.’ Photograph: Ward & Kweskin
Father John Misty: ‘What single thing would improve the quality of my life? A hit.’ Photograph: Ward & Kweskin

Father John Misty: ‘Which living person do I most despise? Oh, he knows’

This article is more than 1 year old

The singer-songwriter on dreaming of a giant reptile, listening to sports radio and snogging under a police spotlight

Born in Maryland, Josh Tillman (AKA Father John Misty), 41, moved to Seattle in 2002, where he worked in a bakery and began to record music. In 2008, he became drummer for Fleet Foxes and spent four years touring with the band while continuing to work on solo material. In 2012, he released Fear Fun, his first album under the name Father John Misty. His second, I Love You, Honeybear, received critical acclaim. In April, his latest album, Chloë and the Next 20th Century, entered the UK album charts at No 2. Next year he will tour the UK. He is married and lives in Los Angeles.

When were you happiest?
Whenever it was, it’s likely I was actually miserable, destitute and alone.

What is your greatest fear?
Getting thrown down a well.

What is your earliest memory?
Not enjoying sleep training.

Which living person do you most admire, and why?
Grace Zabriskie – her style; her woodworking.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
I bore myself constantly.

Aside from a property, what’s the most expensive thing you’ve bought?
A rug.

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What is your most treasured possession?
My teeth.

Who would play you in the film of your life?
I had a really sweet conversation with my dad where he told me he didn’t understand what my life was like until he saw A Star is Born. I went with it.

What makes you unhappy?
Quite often I sit down to write a song and discover I have absolutely no passion for writing songs.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?
Sometimes, I can’t believe my posture.

If you could bring something extinct back to life, what would you choose?
Duelling to the death.

What is your most unappealing habit?
Acting distant and withdrawn, then asking my wife if something’s wrong. Also biting my nails, folding them in half and keeping them in my pocket.

What scares you about getting older?
This increasingly realistic conception of what’s possible.

Which book are you ashamed not to have read?
I don’t know how many people I’ve told that, “Yes, I have read that Ken Kesey book about Oregon and the logging family. It is amazing …”

What did you want to be when you were growing up?
A mutant turtle ninja.

What is your guiltiest pleasure?
Sports radio.

Have you ever said ‘I love you’ without meaning it?
Sometimes reciprocating an “I love you” with drunk acquaintances is an act of mercy. Still doesn’t feel great.

Which living person do you most despise, and why?
Oh, he knows.

What did you dream about last night?
I found a giant reptile and was feeding it cereal.

What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
A hit.

What has been your closest brush with the law?
The first time I ever touched a girl intimately was in a park after hours, eventually in the spotlight of a squad car. We were frozen so long the officer said he thought we were dead.

What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
Absolutely everyone is winging it.

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