The highly acclaimed Father John Misty plays two concerts in support of Big Sur Park School.

Father John Misty’s two Carmel concerts are almost sold out, which is not surprising. After all, this award-winning post-folk artist is a big shot, not only commercially successful, but also a good vocalist and an even better lyricist – a rare and sought-after combination.

The concerts benefiting Big Sur Park School can be partially explained by the fact that Joshua Tillman, the man behind the stage name, seems to be fond of Big Sur. One day in 2010, he left his indie folk band Fleet Foxes, where he was a drummer, and drove down the coast to Big Sur in a van with a bag of psychedelic mushrooms. He found himself naked on a limb, contemplating the place of humanity in the scheme of the cosmos. Soon he moved to Los Angeles and started working on a novel, creating an alter ego for himself, Father John Misty, on the way.

His first Father John Misty album, Fear Fun, came out two years later, in 2012. The following year, Tillman was married in Big Sur, apparently taking a liking to the area that never loses its appeal of austerity that can be useful for the artistic process, per Henry Miller and Ansel Adams.

While Tillman is not a Californian (born in Maryland, debuted in Seattle), his music and texts grasp the essence of modern post-hipster California life: beach, drugs, sarcasm and often a genuine search for spirituality.

His biggest banger to date is “Real Love Baby” from Pure Comedy, 2017, easy yet fresh in its seductiveness. His most iconic song remains “Hollywood Forever Cemetery” from Fear Fun, known also for its video with actress Aubrey Plaza, who first became famous for her role as April Ludgate on Parks and Recreation. “I’m Writing a Novel” from the same album is one of the tracks that fully demonstrates Father John Misty’s lyrical abilities, sense of humor and critical thinking.

He collaborated with Lana Del Rey in “Buddy’s Rendezvous” from the album Chloë and the Next 20th Century, released in 2022. His latest album is 2024’s Mahashmashana, with the scratchy and provocative “She Cleans Up” as a single, evidence that Tillman is able to steadily evolve.

With six albums as Father John Misty and several previously under the name J. Tillman, he has developed an enviable following.

FATHER JOHN MISTY plays 7pm Thursday, Dec. 18 and Friday, Dec. 19. Sunset Center, San Carlos and 9th, Carmel. $65-$106. (831) 620-2048, sunsetcenter.org