Interview: Jennifer Foster Chats About Her Upcoming Album- Powerline, Out April 3, 2026

What inspired the theme or concept behind this album?

Many of the songs on this album were inspired by the place I grew up - a small farm in rural New Brunswick, and I wrote it at a time when there was a lot of change going on in my life. Part of the change was letting go of this place that had shaped me.  

Were there any particular events or emotions that shaped the songwriting?

There’s celebration, fun, questioning the past, saying goodbye, reflecting, taking one good last look at my happy place before letting it go. What was the reality there? What was illusion? 

Were there any challenges you faced during the recording process?

One big challenge I faced during the recording process was that shortly after recording the bed tracks at Union Sound in Toronto, got a concussion and had to take a lot of time off. Getting through that injury so I could get back into the studio and finish recording took quite some time. I hadn’t figured that into my process! And I had to readjust my expectations and timeline. But in the end, I think it actually helped the album. The break gave the recordings some time to breathe, and when I came back I had a bit more perspective about the direction I wanted to take. 

Which track was the most fun to create, and why?

There’s a track called "Can I Come Live with You" which is an upbeat, free-wheeling kind of song. I wanted it to feel really fresh and alive - not too polished. It’s a song where I’m saying goodbye to the farm and all the creatures and trees etc., in a celebratory way and it’s a bit of party. We had a lot of fun trying things out to create the world of this song. I played this little pottery flute called a macarena which I’ve had since I was a kid - it makes these slightly wonky flute sounds which are so full of character. We put a piece of sponge under the strings of my acoustic to create a more percussive guitar sound. And there are some really fun background vocals on it too.  

Did any collaborations influence the sound or direction of this project?

I co-produced the album with Robbie Grunwald, who is a fantastic producer, engineer, and keyboard player. He has an incredible range of keyboards and synths, and that definitely shaped the sound of the record. He’d often just swing over to one of his instruments, start twiddling some knobs, and say, “Hey, what about this?” It created a really playful environment where we could experiment. The collaboration felt very organic, and I think the result is a bit of magic. 

How do you feel this album represents your evolution as a band/artist?

This is largely a concept album, which is something I’ve always wanted to do but hadn’t really done before. It’s an album about a place and a time - each song feels like a snapshot, and together they tell a larger story. I’d also say it’s my most personal album to date. I made a conscious decision to build the songs around the acoustic guitar, so the voice and guitar are really the centre of everything. All the other elements are there to support that. I wanted the songs to be able to stand on their own strength. 

What do you hope your fans take away from this album?

I hope listeners feel the authenticity of these songs. They’re a window into my own world, but I also hope people can connect with them and feel some recognition there - or maybe even some inspiration to really feel into their own lives and their own unique stories. 

What can fans expect from your upcoming tour or album release events?

I’m celebrating the release with an album launch show in Toronto at The Rivoli on April 1st, followed by dates across Southern Ontario and the Maritimes in June, and some festival appearances this summer. 

If you could describe this album in three words, what would they be?

Fresh, melodic, true 

Is there a specific moment during the album’s creation that you’ll always remember?

Recording group handclaps. Getting the whole band around one microphone with our headphones on and just clapping together to the track. So joyful!