Foster The People: Torches, Classical Side of Dance Music

“Here we are, here’s the music, and that’s all you need to know right now.” – Mark Foster

A project that is both unequivocally radiating with talent and a seemingly natural response to what the industry might call ‘it’, Foster The People bounced their way up to Canada this week to support the release of their forthcoming LP Torches. Playing to a sold out crowd at Lee’s Palace on Sunday, an acoustic set at The Edge, and quick stop at Much Music, the band had just enough time for truffle aioli garnished Metropolitan burgers and single serving of what they’d like to call, “happy snow.”

“It doesn’t sound a thing like Fleetwood Mac but when I wrote the chorus for “Pumped up Kicks” I just kept thinking of Stevie Nicks and how she would do it,” says songwriter/keyboardist Mark Foster.

After an illusive (and exclusive) release of the lo-fi beach bubble and haze drenched single on the band’s website last year, average cult kids and promotional bloggers – akin to exceptional RSS skills and Hypemachine reflexes — added the single to 2010’s muse track dance list, and California’s newest gentle giants haven’t heard a moment of peace since.

“We’ve been playing a little bit of catch up lately but that’s kind of a good thing.” Says Mark. “I’d rather be catching up then trying to chase a rabbit down a hole.”

Succumbing to the pressures of restless fans and their relentless demand for new music, Mark along side Cubbie Fink (bass, vox) and Mark Pontius (drums, vox), released their self-titled three song EP late last year as apéritif to Torches due out in May.

“A lot of this record is like purging things from the past; laying to rest a chapter and coming into a new one,” adds Mark. “Our music is sort of empathetic towards the human condition and it’s a vision of what we wanted to do as a band. ”

Comparisons ranging from Supertramp to MGMT, the band’s highly anticipated LP is a combination of throwback electronic string and horn sections accompanied by a 60’s inspired beach rock that Mark says, “is just kinda there — whether I try and pull it up or not.”

Currently playing a series of sold out shows in New England en route towards Indio, CA for the Coachella Music and Arts Festival, Foster The People have quite the season ahead of them. Including the full European Festival loop, the band will be back to Canada in May with stops in Vancouver, Montreal, and finally Toronto again on June 18, 2010 at Mod Club Theatre.

Get the album on iTunes here!!

WORDS BY KATHERINE ALICIA SNACK