Winter Arts Preview 2013: Pop, Rock, and Jazz

Father John Misty at SOhO Restaurant & Music Club: When Josh Tillman announced his departure from the Fleet Foxes last year, fans across the globe mourned the loss. As the drummer and baritone behind the Seattle folk act, Tillman delivered some of the Foxes’ most striking sonic tricks and stunning vocal harmonies. Yet, when he reemerged as Father John Misty just a few months later, fans promptly forgave him for abandoning the group. On Fear Fun, Tillman’s debut as Father John Misty, convoluted tales of drug binges, one-night stands, and Los Angeles landmarks mix and mingle with grand poetic ruminations on love, life, loss, and our inevitable demise. Musically, the album is brimming with folk tropes (think acoustic guitars, sing-along-style lyrics, and whistle breakdowns), but it’s also imbued with the kind of working-class, everyman wisdom that made artists like Springsteen, Petty, and Dylan famous. Add to that a killer backing band — and Tillman’s now-famous hip-shaking moves — and you’ve got the makings for our top must-see rock show of the winter. See it Friday, February 1 at 8 p.m. Call 962-7776 or visit clubmercy.com.

More Pop, Rock, and Jazz

El Ten Eleven. At Velvet Jones, Wed., Jan. 23.

Tristan Prettyman. At SOhO Restaurant & Music Club, Wed., Jan. 23.

Dengue Fever. At UCSB’s MultiCultural Center, Fri., Feb. 1.

Styx. At the Chumash Casino, Thu., Feb. 7.

Roberta Flack. At the Granada Theatre, Sat., Feb. 16.

The Neighbourhood. At SOhO Restaurant & Music Club, Wed., Feb. 20.

Blues Control. At the Biko Co-op Garage, Thu., Feb. 21.

Blues at the Crossroads. At UCSB’s Campbell Hall, Tue., Mar. 12.