Foster the People is an American indie pop band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 2009. Its members include founder and frontman Mark Foster, and keyboardist Isom Innis.
Foster founded the band in 2009 after spending several years in Los Angeles as a struggling musician and working as a commercial jingle writer. After Foster's song "Pumped Up Kicks" became a viral success in 2010, the group received a record deal from Startime International and gained a fanbase through small club shows and appearances at music festivals. After releasing their debut album Torches in May 2011, "Pumped Up Kicks" became a crossover hit on commercial radio in mid-2011 and eventually reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100. The record also featured the singles "Helena Beat" and "Houdini". The group received three Grammy Award nominations for Torches and "Pumped Up Kicks".
After touring for two years in support of Torches, Foster the People released their second album, Supermodel, in March 2014. It was preceded by the lead single "Coming of Age". In July 2017, the band released their third studio album, Sacred Hearts Club, with the addition of Isom Innis and Sean Cimino, both former touring members, to the official lineup. From this album, their song "Sit Next to Me" peaked at number 42 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified quadruple platinum by the RIAA. Between 2018 and 2021, the band released a number of singles, two EPs and one album reissue.
A new single titled "Lost in Space" was released on May 31, 2024. Their fourth album, Paradise State of Mind, was released on August 16, 2024, to mostly positive reviews.
Members:
Mark Foster - lead vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards, synthesizers (2009-present)
Isom Innis - piano, keyboards, synthesizers, drums, percussion, backing vocals, bass (2017-present; touring member 2010-2017)
Former:
Sean Cimino - guitar, piano, keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals (2017-2024; touring member 2010-2017)
Mark Pontius - drums, percussion, occasional backing vocals (2009-2021)
Jacob "Cubbie" Fink - bass, backing vocals, synthesizers (2009-2015)
Name Origin:
Mark Foster originally named the band Foster & the People, but people misheard it as "Foster the People". Eventually, he took to the nurturing image it evoked of "taking care" of people, so the name stuck.
From: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genre(s):
Indie pop,
synth-pop,
dance-pop,
alternative rock,
indie rock,
neo-psychedelia
Active From: 2009-present