His has been a triumph of ambition over intractable matter, a fulfilment of Mahler's faith in Arthur Schopenhauer's idea that the human will can overcome any force on earth.
As witty, sardonic and opinionated as his songs suggest, Mr. Tillman peppered his conversation with references to ArthurSchopenhauer and is aware that by creating a mythical Father John Misty persona who's either a mystical being or a comedian he's ripe for misinterpretation.