When “Pumped Up Kicks” hit the airwaves, circa 2010. It was the era of peak music, the kind of music that defines a generation. Iconic music festivals, concerts, and no-skip albums were norms in the music scene in this era. Pumped Up Kicks by Foster the People was one of the groundbreaking songs that enthralled an audience of different people, races, and cultures, even surpassing the language barrier. 

      A song of many stories, which also marked the beginning of a successful spell, earned nominations, the lingering weight of fame, and unreserved expression of life in beats, melodies, and music created. A life-altering experience for Mark Foster -the founder. Also, the audience, and probably, every living thing that existed in that time capsule. 

    After high school, Mark Foster moved to Los Angeles to stay with his Uncle, a decision encouraged by his Father. Spent years searching for that breakout song, while working various jobs including, jingle music writer. He lived through his struggle with drugs, near-misses, and a resurgence of the mind to the path he chose when he moved. These experiences led to the formation of the band, which has lived through an illustrious career of many twists. 

     In the fall of 2009, Mark met Mark Pontius and together they formed the band. Creating another thing in common, aside from first names. This fateful meeting birthed a singing group with lives intertwined in grit, hunger, journey to stardom, and achievements. On the 7th of October, 2009, they had their first show at the Dakota Live Music Lounge. An occurrence that became repeatedly bigger, when the band which included, Cubbie Fink released their breakout song Pumped Up Kicks. Foster wrote the song while he worked at Mophonics as a jingle writer, a song that would go on to change the trajectory of their career. By the summer of 2010, the band was performing at shows and festivals around the country. Filling iconic centres and sending raucous crowds into a delirium of excitement with joy, trickling down spines. 

     Debut album ‘Torches’ was a big success, arguably global. Songs from the album were TV licensed, Grammy-nominated, won awards and received positive reviews. The album resonated with the world, as it became a bane of emotions, mostly happiness. Became the album of an era, a generation of millennials’ favourite collection. Another factor in the album’s acceptance is their story of resilient rise to fame. A story of hope the people latched on, while dancing, humming and absorbing the album. Real encounters they’ve been vocal about in interviews. 

    Foster the People’s music mirrored not just its members’ lives, but every life that absorbed their music. Portraying a life of resilience, hope, comebacks and wins.

   With 3 more albums to their debut, namely, ‘Supermodel’, ‘Sacred Hearts Club’, and recently, ‘Paradise State of Mind’. Singles and Extended Plays bolster a career that has always delivered widely accepted songs like ‘SHC’, ‘Imagination’ to mention a few. Different members have joined and left the group. Members have struggled with drugs and alcohol. Despite shortcomings, the band have retained the eclectic source of music which made them popular, delivering music that people love.