Jon Foreman: Fall and Winter EPs

I’ve never understood critics who cry “sell-out!” to any musician that signs with a major label and is consequently played on Top 20 radio stations; if it means having your music heard by millions and putting food on the table, that sounds like success to me. For some artists, like Jon Foreman, once the marquees dim and the arenas clear out, they are left with just their music. For Foreman, a return to his indie roots was due and the music he found himself creating was unfit (read: too personal) for his band, Switchfoot. To remedy this, he started playing solo shows on the sidewalk, for small groups of loyal fans, after the big show was over. The simple acoustic guitar comes together with Foreman’s emotional lyrics to create the kind of music that is perfect for quiet nights alone and self-reflection. Thematically linked to the four seasons, the first EP, Fall is already out digitally. It, along with the Winter EP, will be released January 15 as a double disc. Both Fall and Winter “explore themes of alienation and loss of innocence” and one can’t help but wonder if this is a particular dark time in Foreman’s life. Hopefully, he’ll be up for the challenge that Spring and Summer will bring. Check out Jon Foreman’s website for the digital download of the Fall EP or wait a few weeks and you’ll be able to buy the physical copy, along with Winter.