Foster the People

Foster the People Artistfacts

  • 2009-
    Mark FosterVocals, guitar, etc.2009-
    Mark PontiusDrums2009-2021
    Cubbie FinkBass2009-2015
    Sean CiminoGuitar, keyboards2017-2024
    Isom InnisMulti instruments 2017-
  • Foster the People was originally called "Foster and the People" after frontman Mark Foster. People consistently misheard the name as "Foster the People." The misinterpreted band name began to grow on Foster and his bandmates until they adopted it as their official name.
  • Part of Foster the People's rise to popularity can be credited to the extensive licensing of their music for ads and use in television shows and movies. The music of Foster the People can be heard on Payless shoes ads, Grey's Anatomy, Nissan commercials, SyFy's series Warehouse 13 and a 2010 FIFA soccer video game.
  • Foster the People have worked extensively with Paul Epworth, a noted producer who has also worked with the likes of Adele, Bloc Party and Cee-Lo Green.
  • Some unlikely influences that Mark Foster has cited as main sources of inspiration include the digital music project Aphex Twin, healthy doses of the Motown greats, and Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys.
  • In a 2010 interview, Mark Foster cited Kanye West as the producer he'd most like to work with in the future.
  • Mark Pontius and Cubbie Fink, the drummer and bassist of Foster the People, met Mark Foster after moving to Los Angeles. Pontius and Fink did not actually move to Los Angeles to pursue their musical career, however; both had moved there to attend film school.
  • When asked about the future of Foster the People in 2011, Mark Foster has alluded to the fact that they may not always stay together as a musical outfit, but all will continue on with their music. "It is really just a blessing to be creative," Foster has said, "and not have to deliver pizzas anymore."
  • For their 2011 tour, Foster the People conceived of the idea of a "Do Good Bus." This project consists of a bus full of volunteers that follow the band to every city on their 2011 tour. In each city the group of volunteers work with local charities on a project- everything from teaching music in schools to helping build homes with Habitat for Humanity.
  • When it comes to composing songs, Mark Foster says he composes the music first, and then often freestyles the words after creating atmosphere through harmonies and beats. In his lyrics, Foster often speaks from a fictional character's perspective, a good example of this is "Pumped Up Kicks," written from the viewpoint of a loner kid contemplating murder.
  • Mark Foster plays guitar, bass, drums and "pretty much any sort of stringed instrument" yet he says the piano is the only one that has changed his life.
  • Mark Foster married actress Julia Garner on December 28, 2019. Garner is best known for her starring role as Ruth Langmore in the Netflix crime drama series Ozark.

Comments: 1

  • Fosterkid001 from Indiathese guys shaped my life.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Dan Reed

Dan ReedSongwriter Interviews

Dan cracked the Top 40 with "Ritual," then went to India and spent 2 hours with the Dalai Lama.

Tom Johnston from The Doobie Brothers

Tom Johnston from The Doobie BrothersSongwriter Interviews

The Doobies guitarist and lead singer, Tom wrote the classics "Listen To The Music," "Long Train Runnin'" and "China Grove."

Boz Scaggs

Boz ScaggsSongwriter Interviews

The "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" singer makes a habit of playing with the best in the business.

Rosanne Cash

Rosanne CashSongwriter Interviews

Rosanne talks about the journey that inspired her songs on her album The River & the Thread, including a stop at the Tallahatchie Bridge.

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' Albums

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' AlbumsSong Writing

With the rise of Kindie rock, more musicians are embracing their inner child with tunes for tots - here, we look at pop stars who recorded kids' albums.

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"They're Playing My Song

"How much does it cost? I'll buy it?" Another songwriter told Jonathan to change these lyrics. Good thing he ignored this advice.