Hey, everyone
“Torches” is the blockbuster debut from Los Angeles Indie rock band Foster The People. It was released on May 23, 2011 via Columbia Records, and still stands as the landmark effort cementing the band's commercial success. Although severely underrated and often unappreciated, Foster The People continue to make waves in the industry beyond the shadow of their debut.
Original members Mark Foster, Cubbie Fink, and Mark Pontius started Foster The People in October 2009 in Southern California. Lead singer Mark Foster composed hard hitting classic “Pumped Up Kicks” which was added to the band's self-titled EP just before recording their debut. They immediately uploaded it onto their website in the raw and the rest was history. Once the song went viral, Foster The People became a household name in the music scene - and the band even earned a couple of Grammy nominations for Pop Duo/Group and Alternative Music Album in 2012.
Other singles released alongside “Pumped Up Kicks”, were “Don't Stop (Color On The Walls)”, “Helena Beat”, “Call It What You Want”, and “Houdini”. Of course, the boys were thrown into a rigorous touring schedule traveling to Australia, as well as all around the United States, Asia, Europe, Mexico, and other countries performing their beloved hits. In 2010, touring musicians Isom Innis and Sean Cimino were added to the lineup, and just like that, a five-piece was born.
"Pumped Up Kicks" rapidly climbed the Billboard charts to number three in 2010 and the video hit over a million views on YouTube earlier this year. It goes to show good music never goes out of style, and Foster The People are here to stay.
On November 12, 2021, Foster The People released a vinyl format of the album called "Torches X" commemorating a decade since its release in 2011.