I will conquer darkness and make it shine. – AHF
Alex Henry Foster is set to release his massive triple vinyl / double CD live album & the two and a half hour long concert film – ‘Standing Under Bright Lights’ on April 16th.
To be honest, it’s so much more than that.
Rarely are we presented with such raw emotion in music or performance. Don’t get me wrong, there’s been many performances that have blown me away. But to sustain this feeling of build up, intensity, emotion and finally release at the shows conclusion is something I can hardly remember witnessing before.
Foster, having previously denied any form of touring or public event in order to preserve the intimate nature of his songs written as a cathartic expression for him following the passing of his father, was persistently asked by the vice-president of the Montreal Jazz festival, Laurent Saulnier, to join the prestigious event. After repeated inquiries, AHF finally accepted the invitation with the condition that he would have absolute control of the production and promotion, which they were pleased to agree to.
“My vision to preserve the integrity of the songs from being played over and over was a son’s ultimate attempt to keep a part of his father alive. But that night, I realized that once communed, every word and sound has the ability to grow beyond the emotions they were created from, making them somehow eternal… just like my father. Therefore, the sole concern that now remains is how willing I am to face the fear to be left alone night after night when I let go of him, when I don’t have any more reasons not to assume who I am now, to stand under bright lights, whatever it may reveal to myself and others.”
The resulting concert, almost 2 hours and 30 minutes long, is now considered among the best concerts throughout the 40 years of the Montreal International Jazz Festival and has been mentioned as one of the best presentations overall that year. But more importantly to Foster, the immersive experience he had invited the audience to participate in had been so singularly successful that it set a new standard for his fan experience engagement.
Even before the phone rang with Foster on the other end, I was already excited to speak with him. I watched the performance and tried my best to capture the emotion that he and his band laid out in front of that audience.
However, our interview was more than just a Q & A. It was a conversation about not only music, but also about life and the experiences we have during this lifetime. These moments are meant to be remembered if not cherished. Only sometimes it’s hard to live in any specific moment.
Foster seems to have taken it all in and appreciates all aspects of life. He holds certain memories close to his heart but also appears to be emotionally moved by fans that respond in their own ways to his music.
I asked Foster what he hopes that people will take away from this entire project. He tells me, “I think that, for me, what is very important is for people to have a sensation of life’s celebration. Especially now. We’re living in a very difficult time a kind of strange type of world right now and everything feels so dark. For me, that project is about celebrating life.”
“Foster continues, “I know it’s kind of strange because the whole package feels very heavy but I think those last words that you said previously in the interview – “I will conquer darkness and make it shine”. It’s really what matters because it’s a journey and when you went through that journey in your own right, you’re own way.. What decisions you have at the end – to embrace life or not. Or just to keep processing this but maybe you have a better understanding of you’re own immortality. Even if something is permanent, there’s something that we can embrace – which is life.”
I had my own interpretation of what, “I will conquer darkness and make it shine” meant before we spoke but it turned out that it was so much more than I originally thought. Not only because of our conversation but because of the path that seemed to have opened up in my mind after we spoke. It’s a conversation I won’t soon forget.
You can hear my entire interview with Alex Henry Foster and hear for yourself about his incredible journey that has taken him many countries and a seemingly different level of understanding – by clicking in the link to your favorite place to listen to podcasts.
-Tommy Marz
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