This is part two of a series on Women & Passion. You can read the introduction here.

“She has a way of writing songs for anyone who has ever been at the short end of the stick and turning it into a victory. Lyrically, her details are very poetic and brave. Most songwriters hide behind oblique imagery. Jen revels in baring her heart.” -Jeff Trott, Producer, ‘The Underdogs’

Jen Foster is on her way up, and in the music business that means an almost endless string of performances, airports, and hotel rooms. The constant movement seems to energize Foster, who not only writes and performs her own songs, but who started her own record label, Fosterchild Records, in order to promote and distribute her music.

Foster’s story-telling, rock-and-roll style is catching fire and filling concert halls from her home state of Texas to California. Her music has been featured on the LOGO channel, in All My Children, and in the American Pie movie sequel. Her song, The Underdogs, from her album of the same name, won Out Song-of-the-Year at the Out Music Awards in 2006, and this past April Foster won the Triple A Category in the International Songwriting Competition for “Closer to Nowhere,” a track from her upcoming album, Thirty-Nine.

Her passion flows from spirit to voice to fingertips. An indomitable spirit, telling passionate tales, Jen Foster stands apart from many of her contemporaries, shedding labels that are not her own in favor of a creative, authentic, and independent style.

In her own words

As an independent female artist running my own career, I definitely have a lot of hats that I have to wear. Songwriter, Performer, Booking Agent, Publicist, Radio Promoter, etc. I do have a small, fabulous team to help me with these things, but if there is anything I have learned, it’s that no one cares about my vision for my music and career more than me. I have always had a strong sense of purpose, and my songs have clear, universal messages that I want to make sure get heard by the masses. I know that to make this happen, I have to stay focused, because any team is only as good as their leadership. I have to be as good of a communicator in my business as I am in my songs. Not an easy task for an inherently creative person! I have had to really work hard to be a good businessperson. It doesn’t come easy to someone who loves to stay up late and write songs and be a free spirit.

More than a few times, I have heard the comment made that I am “too obsessed” or “too worried”. And maybe there is truth in that – but I have to always be on my toes – because it is so challenging to do what I’m trying to do and to also keep my sanity!

I am actually thankful, though, to live in a time when I feel it’s becoming more acceptable for a woman to have this kind of drive in the business world. It has not always been easy for women in business, but my outlook is still positive, and I believe it is getting easier to be a strong, passionate woman. I do believe that when you are truly strong and passionate, NOTHING will stand in your way, and people calling you “too this” or “too that” become irrelevant!

Those who don’t understand the passion behind the music, or respect the strength it takes to share it with the larger world, aren’t going to stand in Foster’s way. She’s forging ahead like the maverick she is, and courting far more fans than critics.

Foster’s counting on fans right now to help her garner a spot on the Austin City Limits Music Festival’s stage. The three-day festival, featuring musical luminaries such as Robert Plant, Alison Krauss, and the Foo Fighters, is reserving one spot for the winner of a Sound and Jury online battle of the bands – and Foster wants that band to be hers. It’s been a dream of hers to play ACL, and fans, old and new, can help make it happen. You can place your vote below!

Vote for Jen in the Dell Austin City Limits Contest
Jen’s brand new video on LOGO, and another chance to vote!
Jen’s MySpace page for info on all of her new music and video, touring info, and the latest news!