Jeffrey Foucault

Jeffrey Foucault

Jeffrey Foucault is an American singer-songwriter from Janesville, Wisconsin. Born in January 1976, he works in the americana, folk, alt-country and acoustic traditions, with a style shaped by the troubadour songwriting lineage.

Early life and influences

He begins playing music at seventeen, performing John Prine songs on his father’s mail-order guitar and listening to old records on a hand-me-down turntable. At eighteen, he borrows a copy of Townes Van Zandt: Live and Obscure, and after leaving school to work as a farm-hand and house-carpenter, he turns to writing his own songs.

Career

His debut album, Miles from the Lightning, appears in 2001 and receives strong critical attention, helping establish his touring career across the United States, Canada and Europe. He later releases Stripping Cane in 2004, produced by David “Goody” Goodrich, and Ghost Repeater in 2006, produced by Bo Ramsey. Ghost Repeater includes guest appearances from Dave Moore on harp and accordion and Eric Heywood of Son Volt on pedal steel.

Collaborations and other projects

Foucault performs with a number of other artists, including Guy Clark, Greg Brown, Gillian Welch, Todd Snider, Chris Smither and Rosanne Cash. In 2003, he records Redbird with Kris Delmhorst and Peter Mulvey. His collaborations with Mulvey and Delmhorst also continue on Stripping Cane.

Later releases

He releases Shoot the Moon Right Between the Eyes: Jeffrey Foucault Sings the Songs of John Prine in 2009 as a tribute to John Prine. He follows it with Cold Satellite in 2010 and Horse Latitudes in 2011.

Personal life

Jeffrey Foucault is married to singer-songwriter Kris Delmhorst.

Critical reception

No Depression Magazine describes his writing and voice in terms of small-town imagery, detailed lyrics and a worn, plaintive delivery. MOJO also praises Miles from the Lightning, noting the strength of the songs, the voice and the blues guitar playing.