Foster the People lead vocalist third generation to visit PH

Mark Foster, lead vocalist of Foster the People. AFP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Mark Foster, lead vocalist of the multi-awarded indie-pop band Foster the People, disclosed Saturday that he would be the third generation Foster to visit the Philippines.

“I’m so excited to be here right now, my grandfather was here in the 40s, for a few years my dad lived here in the 70s and I’m the third generation Foster to be here in the Philippines,” Foster told reporters during a press conference before their concert later in the evening.

Foster said initially that his grandfather told him in an email about staying in “a village an hour and a half from [Manila].”

When Foster read the email and said it was “Baguio City,” reporters quickly informed him it was “four to five hours away,” which made him laugh.

He recalled that his grandfather was then in the military and his father “was a hippie.”

“[My father had] really long red hair and big red beard and he went to Baguio Cathedral and there was a guy inside the cathedral praying,” Foster said.

“When the guy saw my dad his jaw dropped and his eyes grew big and said ‘Saint Peter!'” he added.

Foster also said that the Philippines was well praised by other international artists who have performed here.

“A couple of weeks ago the guitar player from Maroon 5 texted me and said he saw posters of us, so I asked what’s the vibe here,” Foster said.

“He told me that ‘everybody sang on pitch, the whole crowd sings along [and] they all sound amazing’,” he added.

Foster the People is set to perform at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum Saturday night.

When asked about their hit song “Pumped Up Kicks,” which had gone viral after being posted on the website of lead vocalist Foster, he said “happy songs with happy lyrics are boring.”

As a new artist, Foster said that they were very nervous when they first released their debut album “Torches”.

“It’s a very validating experience” to have the people accept their songs and their music, Foster said.

He said going around and meeting people and performing for them would “fill up a well” within him and he would later use this when he goes to the studio to write songs.

The Los Angeles-based trio has received nominations for Best New Artist and Best Rock Video in the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards for the hit “Pumped Up Kicks.”

They also recently got two Grammy nominations for Best Pop Group Performance for the same song. The first album “Torches” was also nominated for Best Alternative Album at the Grammys.

“Pumped Up Kicks” has also received five nominations in the 2012 Billboard Music Awards and won the Top Rock Song.

The song, written by Foster in March 2010 and posted on his website as a free download, went viral and rose the band to prominence which later led to their multi-album deal with Columbia Records.

Lead vocalist Foster, drummer Mark Pontius, and bassist Cubbie Fink formed the band back in 2009.

The band recently performed in Mountain View, California on October 20 and 21 before coming to the Philippines.

Foster said they have gone to many countries like India, Morocco, Japan, Turkey, Israel as they were touring. He said it was an experience being outside of the Western world.