Published: February 16, 2009 10:48 PM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
New Music Spotlight March 2009 Edition
Foster McGinty
Foster McGinty
The moment that I heard the first beat, tune, lyric from Foster McGinty I instantly became a fan. He has managed to recapture a sound from an era that truly represented an arsenal of talents from such iconic legends as Jimi Hendrix, The Who, and others. Now Foster has managed to put his own spin on this era's sound into an updated version that makes him a gem to listen too. In this recent interview, I caught up with the talented musician as he gives our Webzine the 411 on who he is and what are his goals. Enjoy this spotlight.
Isaac: Hi Foster. Welcome to your interview with Junior's Cave. Now that 2008 has officially ended, what are your reflections of the year 2008 for as a performer?
Foster: I spent a lot of the year building the foundation for 2009. 08' brought found me in a time of growth, creativity and what ultimately has become Peach Red. I went from playing basements around New York City to playing some pretty reputable rooms.
Isaac: What has drawn you to infuse Rock and Funk into a melodious tune?
Foster: I was born in Memphis, Rock- n- Roll, Blues; all that good stuff is in the river. The funk comes from how music makes me feel. Music makes a person feel sad, dark, happy, rejoice, pray...funky and on the verge of combustion is how music makes me feel. Most of the time...
Isaac: Elaborate a little about whom were your biggest influences in the music industry and why (Jimi Hendrix being one of yours)?
Foster: Jimi Hendrix is a given. He gives me cold chills when he just tunes his guitar. We share the same birthday which is cool. Bob Dylan, Betty Davis (not the actress), Eric Clapton, Billy Preston, Elmore James and many more old souls have influenced me as well in there own provocative way. Outside of the music industry, my Father and his brother, my Uncle Chuck, are the two that got me into music. The play in a Mowtown Dance Band still today called Midlife Crisis. Music runs thick in my family.
Isaac: Let's talk about what you feel Foster McGinty will bring to the music industry?
Foster: A brave new face ready to make a splash in an industry I feel has gone a little soft. The feeling that a lot of popular music today has lost guts and character is unmistakable. I hope to make a difference in an admirable way...
Isaac: If you had an opportunity to work with one artist or group, who would it be and why?
Foster: Bob Dylan. Not only has he released hundreds of outstanding songs and done countless tours/performances, he has lived to tell his story unlike so many other influential artists in music history. I'm actually reading his autobiography, Chronicles Volume One right now. Every page is full of wisdom and just about everything else imaginable. He is a true pioneer, that man has truly made a difference in the world through his music.
Isaac: How would you describe your music to others?
Foster: It's funky Rock- n- Roll like people have not heard in a while. You will hear a lot of old school elements without a doubt and I attribute that to my old soul. Bluesy elements are peppered through out my music as well. I never play the same performance or a song the same. I like to keep the audience to feel like the show is new every time ultimately giving them a reason to come back again. Expect to dance to the music and for you seats to get cold.
Isaac: What type of feedback have you received from your previous releases?
Foster: I only have one, an EP that I recorded in Greenwich Village at friends apartment in the fall of 2007. The E.P is titled State of Mind Music Box and it features six tunes that show my power trio Hendrix/Cream influence too much. It sold well at shows and people seem to enjoy it--I on the other hand have a hard time not talking over it when it's playing in the room. State of Mind Music Box was the birth of my vision, Peach Red is Foster McGinty.
Isaac: What can fans expect from your latest CD, Peach Red, you are working on currently? What is the inspiration behind the CD?
Foster: Peach Red was written entirely here in New York City where I have been living the past two years. Coming from a smaller town, New York opened a wide door off creativity and inspiration that finally had enough space to burst wide open. The door that opened and what spilled onto the carpet is Peach Red. I feel like Peach Red picks up where a lot of the sixties/early seventies left off, but shines a light on the wave of out modern scene as well. This album has been a series of firsts for me one being that I broke out of the trio mold for the first time. I added B3 Organ to six of the ten tracks--a friend of mine, Doran Danoff, did all of the work on keys. I also have experimented with background vocals for the first time--I really dig the results. For those that have my E.P State of Mind Music Box, you will notice an immeasurable amount of maturity with Peach Red.
Isaac: What can fans expect from Foster McGinty in 2009?
Foster: For starters, my debut album, Peach Red. I will also be releasing a music video to one of the tunes from the album, "Can't Help But Shine", at the same time. The video was shot in the East Village here in New York City. I will be booking a tour behind this record sometime late this summer hopefully.
Generally speaking, expect to here a lot more from me. I'm working hard, planting seeds, and moving forward all the time.
Isaac: Time for some shout outs to your family, friends, and fans…
Foster: Chelsea, Jesse, Dubway Studios, Dan, Antonio, The McGinty's....
