Ian Foster

Artist Information

Biography

Ian Foster is familiar with the cycle of a song. Since 2006, the Newfoundland-based songwriter has been writing, recording and touring his work around Canada and Europe. His latest release, The Evening Light, showcases songs inspired by the road, and by an examination of home that can only be made from the distance of travel.

His music combines many of the classic elements of folk songwriting and storytelling with newer approaches to the genre. His albums contain a mix of traditional instruments (banjo, upright bass, accordion, violin and cello all appear on his newest release) and modern instruments and effects. He regularly plays both electric and acoustic live, making tasteful use of looping and delay effects to create a bigger sound than one would expect from a solo player.

A road warrior, Ian spends about half of every year playing shows, festivals, and conferences abroad, and regular shows all year long in his home province. His music has been played on radio internationally, from Newfoundland to the Netherlands. He has been nominated for multiple MusicNL (Newfoundland) and ECMA (East Coast Music Awards) over the last few years (including SOCAN Songwriter of the Year), and has been a finalist in the ISC (International Songwriting Competition), based out of Nashville, TN. He also has numerous co-writing credits, including one with the legendary folk songwriter Ron Hynes.
One can expect a dynamic live show, with regular stories interspersed throughout a set, adding a level of insight into the songs that can only come from an "in the flesh" performance.

Popular to fans and critics alike, Ian's music resonates. Glenn Meisner, long time producer at CBC Radio in Halifax has this to say: "Ian is special - There are those special things about he and his music that you cannot quite put your finger on - hard to express qualities that allow him to creep into your consciousness and superimpose his imagination on yours - rare qualities that separate the wheat from the chaff in this business." Tony Ploughman, chief music purchaser at Fred's Records in St. John's, notes, "For those who appreciate, embrace and applaud artistic quality, commitment, drive, and the fruits of a laborious creative process, Ian Foster is reason to take notice.”

Instrumentation

Ian Foster: Guitar, Piano, Harmonica, Vocals

(when with band)


Adam Press: cello
Janis Campbell: Violin
Joe Dominix: Guitar
Melanie O'Brien: back-up vocals

Discography

The Evening Light (2011)
We Begin Here (2009)
Found: Music From the Unmade Film (2009)
Room in the City (2008)
Through the Wires (2006)

Official Website

http://www.ianfoster.ca

Links

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Official Website

Audio

• Sparrow
  Listen  
• Deep Dark Night
  Listen  
• The House
  Listen  
• Daybreak
  Listen  
• Foot Of The Stairs
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Red Skies
• Orpheus and Eurydice
• Sparrow
• The House
• Deep Dark Night

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• A Keeper [+ Show ]
  

  “Spread the word – Ian Foster is a good’un…a lovely discovery for me. The Evening Light is a keeper....“Spread the word – Ian Foster is a good’un…a lovely discovery for me. The Evening Light is a keeper. Check it out.”
  --Les Siemieniuk
  

• Best Kept Secret
  

  “Ian Foster is Canada’s best kept secret.” -Gianni Zuretti

• Excellent [+ Show ]
  

  “Excellent…anyone who enjoys good songwriting and performance should enjoy The Evening Light” --Kei...“Excellent…anyone who enjoys good songwriting and performance should enjoy The Evening Light”
  --Keith Collier

• A Serious Songwriter, and a Seriously Good One [+ Show ]
  

  Ian Foster is a serious songwriter and a seriously good one, having cut his teeth on the local folk...Ian Foster is a serious songwriter and a seriously good one, having cut his teeth
  on the local folk and pop music scene. A storyteller and character sketch lyricist,
  comparisons can be drawn with David Gray, Hayden, Conor Oberst, and pioneers
  of the sub genre like Jackson Browne and Paul Simon. A talent to watch for.
  

• Room in the City [+ Show ]
  

  “Ian Foster’s Room in the City is an accomplished collection of songs about dark nights in bright pl...“Ian Foster’s Room in the City is an accomplished collection of songs about dark nights in bright places, long drives and longer conversations. Some astute observations (”A Lesson in Geography”), melodic sensibilities (”If the Weather Holds”), and cool delivery (”Sodium”) should get this Canadian singer-songwriter noticed.”
  
  

• "A Stayer" [+ Show ]
  

  “This is a man who has all the potential to become a stayer in the music scene. Soon he might earn h...“This is a man who has all the potential to become a stayer in the music scene. Soon he might earn his own spot next too his own idols Ron Sexsmith, Josh Ritter and Ryan Adams, where–according to us–he blongs.”–Valsam, Rootstime Magazine (Belgium)

Setlist

A typical solo set features songs from most of Ian's official releases, focusing on his story songs with a healthy amount of storytelling between songs if the atmosphere allows. Intimate, "songwriter-friendly" venues are the best environment for this type of performance.

Ian generally switches regularly between acoustic and electric guitars throughout the set; he uses some delay and reverb effects sparingly on certain songs to enhance the solo experience and serve the song. Harmonica is also featured, as well as piano if available.

Ian's band set typically consists of a rhythm section of drum and bass and focuses on a folk rock feel combining elements of classic folk and blues in the performance.


A sample solo set:

(1) Sparrow
(2) A Long Long Way
(3) Deep Dark Night
(4) If the Weather Holds
(5) Orpheus and Eurydice
(6) Red Skies
(7) That Little Dress
(8) Devils and Dust (Springsteen cover)
(9) A Lesson in Geography
(10) Tower of Song (Cohen cover)
(11) Calendar
(12) Daybreak
(13) Streetcars
(14) The House
(15) Hochelaga, Montreal

A sample band set:

(1) No Fool For You
(2) Gone With the Good Earth
(3) If the Weather Holds
(4) Janey Closes Her Eyes
(5) A Long Long Way
(6) The Drive Home
(7) Troubadours
(8) Another Night at the Amsterdam
(9) Tower of Song (Cohen Cover)
(10) Two Fires
(11) The First Day
(12) Different Songs

Basic Requirements

Calendar