Foster the People is an American indie pop band formed in Los Angeles in 2009 around Mark Foster, whose bright synth-driven sound helped define the early 2010s. Torches (2011) — with Pumped Up Kicks, a number three Billboard Hot 100 hit — is still the starting point, with Supermodel (2014) beyond. Explore Foster the People vinyl, CDs, and reissues at Wax Trax Records.
Foster the People formed in Los Angeles in 2009 around Mark Foster, initially with Mark Pontius (drums) and Cubbie Fink (bass; departed 2015). The band signed with Startime International / Columbia Records and released their debut Torches in 2011, with the breakthrough single Pumped Up Kicks reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100. The lineup has progressively contracted, with Foster as the sole consistent member and primary creative force across the catalog.
Foster the People's sound combines indie pop, alternative rock, indie rock, synth-pop, and dance-pop with Foster's distinctive vocal delivery and bright synthesizer-driven arrangements. Their work has been widely cited as a defining early-2010s indie pop template.
Columbia and Atlantic pressings of the Foster the People catalog have been issued in multiple color variant editions and limited deluxe pressings.
Listeners new to Foster the People typically start with Torches (2011).
