Foster the People's Mark Foster Apologizes for Criticizing Imagine Dragons: 'I Was Wrong'

In an interview last year, Mark Foster joked that Foster the People gave all their rejected material to Imagine Dragons

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Months after jokingly criticizing Imagine Dragons’ music, Foster the People singer Mark Foster has apologized.

Addressing his lengthy note to Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds — who had recently spoken out against the “vile” comments his band had been getting for years, specifically calling out Foster the People — Foster apologized for his past comments.

“i have been burdened by something that i feel i need to amend. i would like to apologize to dan reynolds and his band imagine dragons. In a passing moment last year i let some words come out of my mouth that don’t reflect who i am, or what i stand for,” he wrote on Twitter, in a message shared to the band’s official account.

The singer was seemingly referring to a September 2018 interview with ALT 105.7, where the indie band frontman joked that they gave all their rejected material to Imagine Dragons.

“When dan posted his open letter speaking from the heart about how the negative words from other artists have affected him, it convinced me. he’s right. as people with platforms there comes a responsibility to lead by example. i truly believe that if artists are supportive of each other and stood together, united, that we can be a positive healing force in the world,” Foster continued, going on to share that he didn’t choose to apologize “because someone asked me to…this is just me unfiltered saying i was wrong. and i’m sorry.”

“Keep fighting the good fight dan. you have my pledge to work along side you if you ever need a hand. much respect to you and continued success in your music,” he wrote, sending “peace and love” to Reynolds.

Acknowledging Foster’s apology, Reynolds went on to share how touched he was by the gesture.

“this means quite a lot to me. I was probably being overly sensitive to begin with to be honest,” he wrote. “I have always loved FTP’s music and will continue to jam to it and try to have less hurt feelings over people’s opinions. nothing but love and support to you and the guys. you didn’t have to put together something classy like this but it’s rad you did.”

Signing off his note, he added in a sweet reference to one of Foster the People’s songs: “Sit Next to Me.”

“Come over here and sit next to me (doo doo doo!),” he wrote.

In response, Foster replied, “Thanks for the kind words and for accepting my apology. you have big shoulders to be able to carry your message with grace. Respect.”

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Foster’s apology comes less than a month after Reynolds shared his own lengthy note on Instagram, opening up about how “for whatever reason” many bands “feel a need to talk badly” about Imagine Dragons.

“For a decade now i’ve dealt with critics and other bands saying extremely harsh things about my band. Not what I would call “fair criticism” (which I always try my best to receive and learn from) but actual click-bait horse s—. Words filled with vile and hat meant to feed humanities need to laugh at each other’s imperfections and fails,” he wrote.

“I’ve stood silently and taken it for years. It has added to the depression I’ve dealt with since youth. I don’t say this in search of sympathy, but just as a fact,” he added. “It’s not the person that causes me the feelings of stress and depression, but what it does to the world we as a band have created.”

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Reynolds, who is expecting his fourth child with wife Aja Volkman, went on to share that he wondered if the criticism would extend to his children someday.

“How it could possibly make a kid feel ‘not cool’ listening to imagine dragons. I hate that thought. Wondering if my kids will be made fun of as they grow older because someone thinks my band isn’t cool,” he added. “I’ve gotten over the fact that guys in other bands (the 1975, foster the people, smashing pumpkins, slipknot, etc) feel a need to talk badly about my band for whatever reason. I don’t feel anger towards them actually, just more of a sadness that this industry embraces, even celebrates this mentality. I wish it felt like a place where artists stood by each other and supported one another – regardless of our different tastes and voices.”

In conclusion, he wrote: “My band mates are some of my best friends. We are authentically ourselves and strive to bring positivity and empowerment to the world. We’ll continue to do just that.”