A few months ago, we had an opportunity to interview Future of Forestry. They’re an ambient rock band that takes their name, and really their mission, from the C.S. Lewis poem “The Future of Forestry.” Today sees the release of their new album. It’s called Young Man Follow, and if you’re a fan of music at all, I think you’ll love it. This album is being released independently, and is available through iTunes and on their website at FutureOfForestry.com.
We have a letter, written to the fans, from Eric Owyoung, of Future of Forestry, that he wrote to you about the album. Enjoy!
Thanks for all the enthusiasm over the past few days about the album release. You’re excitement is truly cherished by a recording artist who has thrown himself into that vulnerable position of being analyzed, scrutinized, and potentially criticized. To be honest, with past albums, I could say I did not care as much what people thought of them. I feel differently about this one. I wrote these songs for YOU, the fans, the people who feed off music to survive, those who search the abyss of internet audio waves for something beautiful and meaningful. It may seem like an obviously good idea that an artist would write songs for the listener, but this is not always the case. Sometimes we write music to experiment. Sometimes we write because we have to get something off of our chest or to express the deep and dark ails of our hearts. But this album was different. I wanted to write songs that brought beauty and warmth into someones thoughts and life. I kept reminding myself “for the people” as I wrote.
So, for what its worth, these songs are about you. I did my best, I put my writing nose to the grind-stone to shape these songs into what they are for you. I wanted to make this an album you simply wanted to listen to, not just because it is Future of Forestry, or because it had unique instruments, but because it has songs that you love, songs that you want to hear again, songs that reach you and that you simply want to pass on to the people you love.
They are about real life, things such as setting aside differences for love. They are about coming to the table with each other and saying the heart-felt things we need to hear. Call it sentimental, but it is the deepest part of us that searches to find meaning in life and each other. These are songs about growing up and looking for older people in your life who you want to become like. So may you be inspired with me to love and to follow those who have walked that path before us. Young Man (and woman of course) Follow.
Eric Owyoung
Get the album on iTunes
Get the album on FutureofForestry.com
