Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
"The folks he names as influences are somewhat unusual. Sure Willie, Waylon, and Cash; but then Paul Simon, The Beatles, Bestie Boys, and Jazz? Yeah Jazz- Miles Davis and John Coltrane, and he apparently can list a page full. "We're shooting for lyrical and smooth, emotional and seamless" I Think they're good shots.
Besides good diction and rational lyrics, I must add that some of the actual arrangements are fantastic. While the tunes are usually simple, the sometimes wierd, often haunting addition of background instruments that take over unexpectedly- then fade away altogether, are a wonderful inspiration. This is not a party sound- it's deeply introspective, funny in spots, but always thoughtful.
Foscoe is an apparently happy young man, and he's been at it long enough to have some maturity in his style, even though his age might lead you to think otherwise. Youth and maturity- enthusiasm and realism- make an unusual and compelling mix. - Bob Gray
"Foscoe has an amazing hypnotic voice that infuses itself into your soul and captivates you. His intensity and onstage presence draw you in and hold you there during his whole set." - Dallasmusic.com
A North Carolinian who now calls the Hill Country home, Foscoe fuses his bluegrass roots with the country-folk minimalism of the Texas singer-songwriter style. The result is a funky strain of eclectic Americana that has made Jones as popular on college campuses as he is at folk festivals. And that's saying something, as his witty, personal compositions were reconized at this spring's 2003 New Folk competition in Kerrville. Jones and his band the Distractions, play at the Cactus Cafe at 8:30p.m.
- Fun as Folk with Foscoe
Discography
1997 The single "My Problem" was used in the Guilty, a major motion picture staring Bill Pullman
2001 "Live" A limited edition album sold 1000 units
2003 "A song like this" New studio album set for release in Jan. 2004.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Foscoe Jones is a singer/songwriter who always gets asked the same two questions... “Is that your real name?” and “What kind of music do you play?”
The music is an eclectic mix of acoustic rock, old school country blues, and funky Americana.
“Its all about the song,” Foscoe explains “I try to write lyrics that are meaningful, up front, and to the point. The Distractions play according to what the song needs in order for it to fit the mood. The mood is an auditory representation of a feeling that captures the moment, and the moment is filled with darkness, desperation, truth, laughter, love, faith and hope.”
The name Foscoe is taken from a small town in the mountains of North Carolina.
"I lived in Foscoe, N.C. for a few years when I was going to school at Appalachian State University. I made a CD called Foscoe and the name kind-of stuck. One day someone asked me what my name was and I just found myself saying Foscoe Jones.”
Hailing from a family of musicians in North Carolina, Foscoe absorbed the guitar and fiddle sounds that filled his home and the stories that were shared at every gathering.
“The folks back in NC have a country / bluegrass sound. That style is in my blood and comes natural, but I grew up with jazz, hip-hop, rock and roll, funk, R&B, etc. You know, any good music I could get my hands on” Foscoe wrote his first song in 1987 and has been writing and performing ever since. FJ’s move to Austin in 1999 brought him in contact with what he considers the perfect mix of musicians.
Affectionately called The Distractions, Foscoe’s back up band is always a tight combo.
Links
