blog post I’m listening to: Ian Foster

Newfoundland is noted for its wealth of storytellers, a holdover from the days of the early Irish settlers, whose traditions were steeped in rich oral history. Many of Newfoundland’s great songwriters carry those traits to this day. One such songwriter is Ian Foster.

A review displayed in Fred’s Records, in St. John’s, describes Foster this way: “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 Brown, Paul Simon and Harry Chapan. A talent to watch for.”



Foster himself downplays the story aspect of his songwriting.  “As I’m writing I try to keep the musical landscape in mind. When I was a bit younger, like most songwriters, I wrote the story or my thoughts about some topic first and then tried to put the music to it. But as I played and wrote more and more I found that it became a 50 / 50 split, two sides of the same coin. They started coming at the same time. Now I find the music influences the lyrics and the lyrics influences the music“.

Foster claims he’s not influenced much by the more traditional songwriters and music of the past, and maybe he isn’t. But in my mind you cannot grow up in a place like Newfoundland surrounded by its musical traditions and not have it seep and creep into your soul.

Have a listen to some tracks from Ian Foster.

Who are you listening to?