About
Sam Foster is a road dog. He lives and breathes the idea that repetition and regularity are the chisels to refine his craft. Hailing from Winston-Salem, Foster emerged on the North Carolina music scene in 2014. He’s brought his brand of tenacity to eager crowds all over the Southeastern United States ever since.
Foster is a little bit country, a whole lotta rock and roll. While drawing much inspiration from legends of country music past and present, Foster’s sound can be more broadly described as rock. His roots run deep into the vein of American music, and he’s continually inspired by folk, soul, rock, and rhythm and blues. After releasing his debut solo album Rough Edges (The First Cuts) in 2015, followed by 2018’s Hardened Hearts, Foster formed Whiskey Foxtrot with singer-songwriter Seth Williams. The result was 2020’s Hard Lines & Headlights - the first and only studio offering from the outfit.
In late 2021, after splitting with Whiskey Foxtrot, Foster formed a backing band and now tours as both a solo act as well as Sam Foster and The Obsolete. Foster is proud to announce the release of Heatwaves, his first record with The Obsolete. The record retains Foster’s roots in country and Americana but forges ahead into new territory for the lead-man.
On “Let Me Out,” “Loud & Clear,” and the eponymous “Heatwaves,” Foster’s lyrics evidence a clear, growing concern with our planet and all the people on it. He digs into local lore with “Memorial Day” and “Get It Tonight,” and reveals his own story with “Seven Alarm” (sobriety) and “Drama Queen” (social anxiety). Heatwaves displays Foster’s full range of musical styles, and is a testament of where Foster is today on his artistic journey.
Sam Foster has shared the stage with national touring acts such as American Aquarium, Joshua Ray Walker, Margo Cilker, Seth Walker, Adam Hood, and Trapper Schoepp.
PRESS REVIEWS
“‘Loud & Clear’ is a song for the times – displaying as an artist observing the world around him, looking inward, and coming out the other side a different person. Listening back over Foster’s catalogue.. ‘Loud & Clear’ is something different. The song not only presents a new sound, but also showcases a person who is wiser through his observation and reflection – challenging his listeners to be more empathetic to their fellow man.” – Mason Winfree, Americana Highways
“…it was easy for me to begin the first listen with a little bias as to what I could expect from Heatwaves. With a bio that calls his music “a little bit country, a whole lotta rock and roll,” I felt I knew what to expect. The very opening of the album with the crack of the keys and the rolling rhythm on “Let Me Out” starts off high tempo and carries that over into the next tracks…
My expectation of the “rock” portion of this album clicks and not really in the way I thought. “Seven Alarm” and “False Poet-Prophet” are great examples of how the keyboard sound of a bygone era of classic rock like The Doors and The Beach Boys can find themselves delivering inspiration even today. Other tracks like “Even Steven” and “Drama Queen” at times feel as if they could have jumped out from 90s rock radio and while unique to Sam do embed certain elements of nostalgia.” – Joshua Gooch, Shutter 16 Magazine
“With a new backing group, the Obsolete, Foster breaks away from his days in Whiskey Foxtrot, taking audiences on a summer ride along a sonic highway paved with his blend of ‘a little bit country, and a whole lotta rock and roll…’ Foster relishes exploring new territory for “Heatwaves’” giving his alt-country foundation fresh footing with dives into 60s psychedelia, ala the Kinks and the Animals.” – Katei Cranford, YES! Weekly
“Highlighted by the title track, ‘Heatwaves‘, Foster touches on a variety of subjects including sobriety and social anxiety, while sharing his latest collection of songs. Included is a murder mystery, ‘Get It Tonight‘, and other local tales all before the final track ‘Loud and Clear‘ brings it home with a unique sound and message of the need for more empathy in today’s world. His fourth record in eight years, Foster’s range, songwriting, and live performances continue to evolve…” – Red Dirt NC