photos by Eric Rivera
The Sacramento-based project featuring members of Will Haven steps beyond hardcore roots with a cinematic and emotionally driven post-rock debut.
Foreign Film has officially released its debut album, A Love Letter, marking the arrival of a new creative chapter for several members of Sacramento heavy music veterans Will Haven. Alongside the album, the band has also shared a new music video for “Somnolence,” offering another glimpse into the project’s immersive visual and musical identity.
Founded in Sacramento in 2023, Foreign Film began as an outlet for Will Haven guitarist and primary songwriter Jeff Irwin to explore sounds far removed from the metallic hardcore style that defined his longtime band. Drawing inspiration from artists such as Pink Floyd, Mew, Hum, and The Cure, the project was built around expansive textures, atmospheric songwriting, and cinematic presentation.
The band’s name itself traces back to Will Haven’s song “Foreign Film,” which originally appeared on the group’s influential 1997 debut album, El Diablo. While the connection to Will Haven remains part of the project’s DNA, Foreign Film represents a deliberate departure into more melodic and emotionally layered territory.
After spending roughly a year developing demos, Irwin expanded the project by bringing in several familiar collaborators. Fellow Will Haven members Mitch Wheeler, Sean Bivins, and Adrien Contreras joined the lineup, while an extended recording process at Sacramento’s J Rigged Studios helped shape the band’s debut release. Producers and engineers Weston Ray and Robert Kerr worked alongside the group throughout the sessions.
As the recording process evolved, Foreign Film grew into a larger collective. Robin Florkin contributed piano and keyboards, Rylan Kerr joined on guitar, and Tami Taracena added backing vocals, helping flesh out the band’s atmospheric and cinematic approach.
The result is A Love Letter, a ten-track album that places mood, texture, and emotional storytelling at the forefront. Rather than relying on the aggression often associated with the members’ previous work, the record focuses on layered instrumentation, measured pacing, and expansive arrangements. Themes of heartbreak, loss, reconciliation, and renewal run throughout the album, creating a cohesive emotional journey from beginning to end.
Reflecting on the release, Irwin described the project as the culmination of an extended creative process.
“After two years of unhindered creativity, we are excited to share that experience with the world. A Love Letter is full of emotions, heartbreak, loss, reconciliation, and new beginnings, from start to finish. We hope everyone enjoys the ride as much as we did in creating it.”
The album is accompanied by a new video for “Somnolence,” directed and filmed by Devon Whitaker. The visual follows previous releases connected to the album, including the “Santa Carla” music video and the “Black Sky” visualizer. Together, the videos help establish the visual world surrounding the project while reinforcing the cinematic qualities found throughout the music.
Artwork for A Love Letter was created by Michael Cobra, providing another artistic element that contributes to the album’s identity.
While Foreign Film is only beginning its public journey, the musicians behind it bring decades of experience from Sacramento’s underground music scene. That history provides a foundation for the project, but A Love Letter ultimately succeeds by charting its own course rather than relying on past accomplishments.
The band has already begun preparing to bring the material to live audiences. Foreign Film launched its touring activity with an album release show in Roseville, California and has indicated that additional performances across the United States and Europe are expected to be announced in the future.
For listeners familiar with Will Haven, A Love Letter offers an opportunity to hear several of its members operating in a dramatically different creative space. For newcomers, it serves as a first introduction to a project focused on atmosphere, emotion, and cinematic songwriting.
What Fans Need to Know
A Love Letter is now available on streaming platforms and Bandcamp. The album represents the debut release from Foreign Film, a Sacramento-based post-rock project featuring several members of Will Haven. The band has also released a new music video for “Somnolence” and plans to expand its live schedule with future U.S. and European performances.
Tour Dates
6/19/2026 — Goldfield Trading Post Roseville — Roseville, CA
Record Release Show with Simon Says
Album Information
Album: A Love Letter
Artist: Foreign Film
Release Type: Full-Length Album
Artwork: Michael Cobra
Release Information
Debut album from Foreign Film
Available via streaming platforms and Bandcamp
Accompanied by the music video for “Somnolence”
Band Lineup
Jeff Irwin — Guitar, Vocals
Sean Bivins — Guitar
Rylan Kerr — Guitar
Mitch Wheeler — Drums
Adrien Contreras — Bass
Robin Florkin — Piano/Keyboards
Tami Taracena — Backing Vocals
Production Credits
Produced and Engineered by Weston Ray and Robert Kerr
Recorded at J Rigged Studios, Sacramento, California
Additional Information
Foreign Film was formed in Sacramento, California in 2023.
The project was created by Will Haven guitarist Jeff Irwin.
The band’s name is derived from the Will Haven song “Foreign Film” from the 1997 album El Diablo.
Influences cited in the source material include Pink Floyd, Mew, Hum, and The Cure.
The “Somnolence” music video was directed and filmed by Devon Whitaker.
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