Jump to content

Jon Foreman: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Line 41: Line 41:
In 2006, Foreman and [[Nickel Creek]] member [[Sean Watkins]] started collaborating on a duo project originally called "The Real SeanJon," which was later renamed "[[Fiction Family]]."<ref name="news">{{cite web|url=http://www.nickelcreek.com/ |title=Nickel Creek official website |publisher=Nickelcreek.com |date= |accessdate=2012-03-08}}</ref> Their self-titled debut was released January 20, 2009.
In 2006, Foreman and [[Nickel Creek]] member [[Sean Watkins]] started collaborating on a duo project originally called "The Real SeanJon," which was later renamed "[[Fiction Family]]."<ref name="news">{{cite web|url=http://www.nickelcreek.com/ |title=Nickel Creek official website |publisher=Nickelcreek.com |date= |accessdate=2012-03-08}}</ref> Their self-titled debut was released January 20, 2009.


"The album was recorded and written in parts because Nickel Creek and Switchfoot are both hard working, touring acts, we were rarely home from tour at the same time," says Foreman. "Consequently the tracks were passed back and forth between Sean and I. Whoever was home from tour would chip away at the songs with no real expectations at all, mainly just for ourselves and for the love of the song I suppose. We came up with a few cowboy rules for the project: No double tracking. No pussyfooting. No tuning of vocals." <ref>[http://www.spin.com/articles/exclusive-nickel-creek-switchfoot-members-start-new-band Exclusive: Nickel Creek, Switchfoot Members Start New Band] - SPIN.com published October 3, 2008 (retrieved October 17, 2008)</ref>
"The album was recorded and written in parts because Nickel Creek and Switchfoot are both hard working, touring acts, we were rarely home from tour at the same time," says Foreman. "Consequently the tracks were passed back and forth between Sean and I. Whoever was home from tour would chip away at the songs with no real expectations at all, mainly just for ourselves and for the love of the song I suppose. We came up with a few cowboy rules for the project: No [[double tracking]]. No pussyfooting. No tuning of vocals." <ref>[http://www.spin.com/articles/exclusive-nickel-creek-switchfoot-members-start-new-band Exclusive: Nickel Creek, Switchfoot Members Start New Band] - SPIN.com published October 3, 2008 (retrieved October 17, 2008)</ref>


In 2013, Fiction Family released a new project: Fiction Family Reunion.
In 2013, Fiction Family released a new project: Fiction Family Reunion.

Revision as of 14:15, 24 March 2014

Jon Foreman
Jon Foreman in April 2008
Jon Foreman in April 2008
Background information
Birth nameJonathan Mark Foreman
Also known asJon
Born (1976-10-22) October 22, 1976 (age 47)
San Bernardino County, California
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, guitarist
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar
Years active1996–present
Labelslowercase people
Websitejonforeman.com

Jonathan Mark Foreman (born October 22, 1976) is the lead singer, guitarist, main songwriter and co-founder of the decorated alternative rock band Switchfoot. He started Switchfoot in 1996 with drummer Chad Butler and bassist Tim Foreman (Jon's brother).

Foreman was born in San Bernardino County, California, but his family moved to Massachusetts and Virginia Beach during his childhood. There he became fast friends with Todd Cooper, who encouraged him to learn guitar.[1] Cooper was later a guitar tech for Switchfoot, although he left in 2005 to pursue his own musical career. After several years, Foreman and his family moved back to Southern California, this time settling in San Diego. He graduated from San Dieguito Academy in the North County Coastal area of San Diego, California. Foreman attended UC San Diego and later dropped out to follow his singing career.[2]

Personal life

One of Foreman's favorite pastimes is surfing,[2] and when not on tour, he resides in San Diego, California.[citation needed]

Jon Foreman is a committed non-denominational Christian; however, his goal with Switchfoot has always been to make music for all people. "For us, these songs are for everyone. Calling us 'Christian rock' tends to be a box that closes some people out and excludes them. And that's not what we're trying to do. Music has always opened my mind — and that's what we want".[3]

Influences

Foreman cites Elliott Smith,[4] U2,[2] The Police,[4] James Taylor,[4] The Beatles, Radiohead,[5] Bach, Ronny Jordan, Miles Davis, Keith Green, Nirvana, Johnny Cash,[2] Bob Dylan,[2] and Led Zeppelin as some of his musical influences.[6] In 2001 he was awarded the "Les Paul Horizon Award" for the most promising up-and-coming guitarist at the annual Orville H. Gibson Guitar Awards in Los Angeles.[7]

Side projects

File:JonMarkForeman.jpg
Jon Foreman at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, 2007

Besides being the main songwriter for Switchfoot, Foreman has also made musical contributions away from the band, including writing with San Diego/Orange County based singer-songwriter Molly Jenson.[8] Foreman has also contributed to the books The Art of Being [9] and New Way to be Human, [10] the latter written by producer Charlie Peacock. He also appeared on Relient K's 2007 album, Five Score and Seven Years Ago, lending his vocal talents to the song "Deathbed." In September 2009, Jazz musician Karl Denson released the album "Brother's Keeper" in which two songs were co-written by Foreman, and one song, "Drums of War", was solely written by Foreman. Foreman also provided his vocals in accompaniment with Denson on the song "Drums of War".[11]

Fiction Family

Main article: Fiction Family

In 2006, Foreman and Nickel Creek member Sean Watkins started collaborating on a duo project originally called "The Real SeanJon," which was later renamed "Fiction Family."[12] Their self-titled debut was released January 20, 2009.

"The album was recorded and written in parts because Nickel Creek and Switchfoot are both hard working, touring acts, we were rarely home from tour at the same time," says Foreman. "Consequently the tracks were passed back and forth between Sean and I. Whoever was home from tour would chip away at the songs with no real expectations at all, mainly just for ourselves and for the love of the song I suppose. We came up with a few cowboy rules for the project: No double tracking. No pussyfooting. No tuning of vocals." [13]

In 2013, Fiction Family released a new project: Fiction Family Reunion.

Solo project

Foreman has also worked on various solo projects, independently releasing four EPs, titled Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer. For the project, Foreman teamed with Credential Recordings in a partnership with Switchfoot's imprint record label, lowercase people records.[14] In October 2008, Foreman released a collection of songs from his seasonal EPs along with two new tracks. The collection is entitled Limbs and Branches. In April 2009, he was GMA Dove Award-nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year.[15]

Songwriting style

Foreman's songwriting tends to be very dynamic, and he often employs a wide range of different instrumentation, including, but not limited to: guitar, violin, cello, trumpet, mandolin, sitar, flute, saxophone, clarinet, synthesizer, piano, miscellaneous percussion, and harmonica. Foreman has always aimed to use interesting instrumentation when writing for Switchfoot, mostly on some of the band's first albums such as The Legend of Chin, New Way to Be Human, and Learning to Breathe.

Solo discography

Extended plays

Box sets / compilation albums

  • Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer (Vinyl Collection) (October 28, 2008)
  • Limbs and Branches (October 28, 2008)

Singles

Other appearances

References

  1. ^ Interview with Todd Cooper[dead link]
  2. ^ a b c d e JON FOREMAN BIOGRAPHY - retrieved April 21, 2009
  3. ^ Switchfoot steps toward stardom - The Boston Globe published January 9, 2004 (retrieved August 9, 2006)
  4. ^ a b c "Jon Foreman - interview page". Listenin.org. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
  5. ^ Switchfoot Evicted By Radiohead, Embraced By Rock Radio - Published February 5, 2004 (retrieved April 21, 2009)
  6. ^ QUESTIONS ABOUT THE GUYS[dead link]
  7. ^ Switchfoot[dead link]
  8. ^ Molly Jenson - Published March 6, 2009 (retrieved April 21, 2009)
  9. ^ The Art of Being Book - Published September 21, 2004 (retrieved April 21, 2009)
  10. ^ New Way to Be Human: A Provocative Look at What It Means to Follow Jesus - Published March 2004 (retrieved April 21, 2009)
  11. ^ "Review of Karl Denson's Tiny Universe "Brother's Keeper". Starpulse.com. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
  12. ^ "Nickel Creek official website". Nickelcreek.com. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
  13. ^ Exclusive: Nickel Creek, Switchfoot Members Start New Band - SPIN.com published October 3, 2008 (retrieved October 17, 2008)
  14. ^ Jon Foreman from Switchfoot to release solo EPs + MP3 - Published November 27, 2007 (retrieved April 21, 2009)
  15. ^ Kim Jones. "40th Annual Dove Awards Nominees & Winners". About.com. Retrieved 2009-04-24.

Template:Persondata

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jon_Foreman&oldid=601035349"