After dropping out of college in New York, Josh Tillman moved to Seattle and spent a year paying rent by freelance writing and donating plasma. Befriending Eric Fisher (Damien Jurado, Rosie Thomas) while on tour in the fall on 2004, Tillman coerced him into recording what would become "I Will Return," a full-length reminiscent of the southern-gothic writings of Flannery O'Conner and the music of Nick Drake and Pete Seeger. The CD-R would be distributed and promoted word-of-mouth in paper sleeves while on the road (with acts such as Damien Jurado, Dolorean and Saxon Shore) for over a year until spring 2005 when KEEP Recordings offered to release a limited, special edition run of the record. Tillman continues to record constantly, finshing a full-length with Fisher entitled " Long May You Run, J. Tillman."
Tilman's fifth solo album Vacilando Territory Blues featuring his mournful vocals, backed by sparse and doleful acoustic guitar with occasionally understated piano, bells and violin was well-received critically in 2008 before release and earned him comparisons to Nick Drake.
Since then, Tillman has released 'Year In The Kingdom' (Western Vinyl, 2009) and 'Singing Ax' (Western Vinyl, 2010).
Note that Tillman is sometimes tagged by download services as J Tillman.
Milk White Air
J. Tillman Lyrics
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Besides here, besides here
If that′s what you want to hear"
Said the cat-scratch knees
To the pulled-back hair...
Why don't we go out there,
Why don't we go out there now?
Why don′t we go out there...
Something black, something pale
Wrapped in stone, the milk white air...
Why don't we go up there
Why don′t we go up there now?
Why don't we go up there
Why don′t we go up there now?
The lyrics of J. Tillman's song Milk White Air appear to be cryptic at first, but upon closer inspection, one can infer that there is a sense of restlessness and searching for something more in life. The lines "There's only one place I've been / Besides here, besides here / If that's what you want to hear" suggest a desire for something new and exciting, perhaps indicating that the singer is bored with their current situation or location. The "cat-scratch knees" and "pulled-back hair" could imply a sense of weariness or dishevelment, adding to the idea that the singer is looking for a change.
The repeated refrain of "Why don't we go out there / Why don't we go up there now?" further reinforces this idea of wanting to explore and escape. The following lines about "something black, something pale / Wrapped in stone, the milk white air" may suggest a mystical or otherworldly element to the search for something more. The "milk white air" could symbolize a sense of purity or clarity, while the "something black" and "wrapped in stone" could indicate mystery or hidden secrets.
Overall, the lyrics of Milk White Air evoke a sense of restlessness and a desire for something more, depicted through mystical and cryptic imagery. It's possible that the song is about the search for meaning or purpose in life, and the need to step outside of one's comfort zone in order to find it.
Writer(s): Joshua Tillman
Contributed by Anthony D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Nashath Mohamed
Good stuff.
Deserted Islander
@Gideon Agreed.
Gideon
indeed.