Father John Misty Reveals Story Behind His Taylor Swift Covers (And Her Camp’s Reaction)
Ahead of his show in Louisville, Kentucky tonight, Father John Misty stopped by local radio station 91.9 WFPK Radio Louisville. Josh Tillman played some music and discussed a variety of topics, including his provocative video for “The Night Josh Tillman Came to Our Apartment”, his new song “The Memo”, and most importantly, “Blank Space” and “Welcome to New York”: two Taylor Swift-via-Ryan-Adams-via-the-Smiths-via-the-Velvet-Underground covers he uploaded and later took down.
According to Tillman, the covers of “Blank Space” and “Welcome to New York” came together over the span of “like, an hour”, when he passed by his tour manager’s office and found her listening to Adams’ 1989. Tillman says that he never heard Swift’s originals prior to that day (although he concedes, “I’m sure I’ve been walking by a Cinnabon or something at the airport and heard it”). To record the new versions, he referred to a printout of Swift’s lyrics.
After he uploaded the covers, Tillman became surprised by their immense popularity. “By the time I got back to the bus that night,” he recalls, “my TM [tour manager] was like, ‘It’s the top trend on Facebook! It’s on USA Today!’, and I was like, ‘this is ridiculous,’ so I went and took them down, thinking, ‘now that’s over’.”
Except it wasn’t. Media outlets (including this one) began reaching out asking why he took down the covers. Even Taylor Swift’s camp got in touch to ask why they came down and encouraged him to put them back up.
So Tillman decided to troll everyone by issuing a statement that Lou Reed came to him in a dream and asked him to take down the covers. “I was annoyed at the media,” he explained. “I was like, ‘these people will print anything’, so I went and gave them the most fraudulent, the most blatantly absurd, unprintable piece of surrealistic nonsense – and they printed it!”
Listen to the entire interview above. Tillman begins addressing the “Taylor Swift thing” around the 26-minute mark, and at 36:40, he performs an acoustic version of “Bored In The USA”, from this year’s excellent I Love You, Honeybear.
Read our feature on Father John Misty, “How to Make Love”.
Watch Father John Misty and his wife Emma on a new episode of Pitchfork.tv’s Over/Under:
Not everyone can be a winner. Detroit native and hip-hop sensation 42 Dugg is back with a fiery new single, Win Wit Us. The track, a precursor to his highly anticipated album 4eva Us, Neva Them, showcases Dugg’s signature style and lyrical prowess. In the brand new single, produced by FLEXONTHEBEAT, TyMaz, and Marshak, Dugg calls out those who try to ride his wave without putting in the work, cementing his stance in the rap game. The release is accompanied by an official music video directed by Counter Point, where Dugg and his crew dominate the streets and clubs of Detroit, visually reinforcing his message of loyalty and resilience. Dugg raps in the hard-hitting track:
All of sudden they wanna win wit us / But ain’t spin with us.
Dugg previously teased this new era of his music with a trailer featuring Hill Harper, further building anticipation among his fans. “Win Wit Us” follows a series of recent hits including Wock N Red, SpinDatBac, and Go Again. Earlier this year, Dugg made a triumphant return to the stage with a sold-out “Welcome Home” show at Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena, featuring appearances by superstars like Meek Mill, Yo Gotti, Lil Baby, and more. Notably, the event saw Dugg unite Detroit’s rival hip-hop factions, Doughboyz Cashout and Team Eastside, in a historic move to end the city’s East-West beef. Fans can expect even more groundbreaking music from Dugg as he gears up for his upcoming album. Don’t miss out on the latest single available for streaming here and watch the music video below. Link up with 42 Dugg on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
Indianapolis’ own Reckless Rhymacide has just released his latest track, “It’s Yo Birthday,” produced by the renowned Whodunit Beats. This fresh spin on the classic “Happy Birthday” song brings a catchy vibe, making it a perfect fit for nightclub atmospheres and adult birthday parties. With its catchy beats and modern twist, the track is set to become a staple for birthday celebrations everywhere, offering a new, exciting way to mark the occasion.
Reckless Rhymacide’s “It’s Yo Birthday” showcases his unique flair for blending contemporary sounds with familiar themes, ensuring the song resonates with a wide audience. Whodunit Beats’ production enhances the track with deep, rhythmic basslines and sleek instrumentation, creating an immersive experience that draws listeners in. As the song gains traction, it’s poised to redefine how birthdays are celebrated, combining tradition with a fresh, energetic sound that captures the essence of today’s music scene.
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