Marcus Foster
Marcus Foster is back with his most diverse release to date - a collection of new songs entitled ‘The Last House’.
Recorded intensively over a short time in a Sussex Barn, this ‘mini album’ of six tracks showcases the range and capabilities of a celebrated UK recording artist bounding towards his prime.
Having one of his tracks become the theme song to an iconic US TV and Film series was just the first step of the journey.
Since the release of his critically acclaimed debut album ‘Nameless Path’ at the end of last year, Marcus Foster has submerged himself in songwriting and etching his footprints onto the world map with a rigorous touring schedule, taking in venues all over the UK, Europe and especially the US.
His hard graft hasn’t gone unrewarded, and along came invitations to accompany Michael Kiwanuka and Ben Howard (both nominated for this year’s Mercury Prize) on separate US tours throughout September and October; and with the upcoming release of ‘The Last House’, his own UK tour dates are to be announced soon...
With a knack for tying in delicate nuances of folk balladry with his unmistakable impassioned husk, Marcus Foster delivers a deftly crafted selection of tales, each rendering a respective personal twist.
In each of the album’s six tracks lies a new facet of Foster’s musicianship, manifesting itself between gospel-tinged crescendos, earthy folk, bluesy undertones and cinematic string arrangements.
Though recognisably anchored in Britain’s Folky shores with his ingenious finger picking, tracks like the first single ‘Worn Down By Time’ and ‘Solid Ground’ belie hints of an imagination caught wandering among the church choirs of America. His vocals flit between buttered drawls and rasping falsettos.
Pastoral acoustics combine with upbeat soul in the vein of a preaching Motown enthusiast, maybe with a pinch of Springsteen and the Black Keys thrown into the collection pot.
The innate simplicity at the heart of Marcus Foster’s songwriting shines through his attention to detail - each slight chord variation to match a new lyrical mood. The careful reflectiveness of ‘In This Town’ is offset by the guttural outpour of the bluesy ‘Strange Woods’, a reminder of why Marcus Foster is so highly regarded by critics and fans alike.
In his own words: "These songs were recorded in just under ten days, they are pretty raw but I feel like they have captured the energy I put into my live shows.
"I wanted ‘Worn Down by Time’ to sound similar to an old Otis Redding song or a bit like the way Van Morrison played with The Band on The Last Waltz. It has an old school sound to it and I can't wait to play it live with a horn section."