Foster the People set to rock Manila Saturday night

MANILA, Philippines – Multi-awarded indie-pop band Foster the People is set to rock the Smart-Araneta Coliseum Saturday night.

During a press conference Saturday where the band answered questions from the media, they described their musical influence as coming from many places.

When asked about their hit song “Pumped Up Kicks,” which had gone viral after being posted on the website of lead vocalist Mark 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.