The Children's Hour

Josephine Foster and Andy Bar make up the folk-rock duo the Children's Hour. Developing a refined, passionate indie rock style from the middle of 2002 onward, the pair first connected when a mutual acquaintance brought Foster—an opera school dropout from Colorado—together with Bar, a Cleveland native and graduate of the Art Institute of Chicago. Although they spent a brief period performing alongside the indie rock trio Golden Egg, the musicians ultimately chose to follow their own course. Taking their name from a Henry Wadsworth Longfellow poem, they appeared at clubs throughout Chicago’s suburban neighborhoods that summer. Foster soon intended to relocate to Portland in search of an escape from city living, yet an unplanned introduction to Minty Fresh founder Jim Powers changed her plans. The duo tracked their self-titled EP inside St. Gregory’s Church. Billy Corgan of Zwan obtained a copy and, captivated by the bittersweet, spry sound, arranged for the Children’s Hour to open Zwan’s first American tour. John Peel likewise took note, showcasing the band on BBC Radio One before Christmas. In May 2003 the Children’s Hour released their full-length debut, SOS JFK.