To put it simply, I love Travis. I discovered The Man Who in high school and fell in love. The lyrics spoke to my lost, seventeen year old soul, “why does it always rain on me ?, " I asked myself a little too frequently. From there I was Happy to Hang Around with 12 Memories, Sang along with The Invisible Band, and rocked out to Good Feeling. Through high school and into college I found solace in Travis. The lyrics are simple but written in a truly poetic way that make the listener feel connected with the music. I like to think of Travis as the Scottish Bruce Springsteen, music for the everyman. Travis has a way of putting poignancy and sadness into their songs while disguising them in a catchy, upbeat melody. Sometimes I forget this, and go along singing the songs, knowing every beat and breath, and then I look back at the lyrics and realize the tenderness of the words I have just sung.
In the summer of 2007 I traveled from Nashville to Atlanta with my mom and Lauryn, my best friend, to see Travis on The Boy With No Name U.S. tour. This was the first time I was seeing the band so anticipation was high. I was not let down. I walked out of the Tabernacele thinking that if I could hold onto this happiness forever everything in my life would be OK. Alas, time and emotion are fleeting are this moment was soon just another memory.
When I saw that Fran and Andy of Travis were touring the U.S. again, to say I was excited is an understatement. I was lucky enough to see that they were playing in Nashville at the independent movie theater in town. I go to school in Arkansas, but I HAD to get to the show. Part of this story does involve the fact that I skipped class and I had to drive back to Conway at 5AM through a Red Bull educed haze, but I will spare you the details. The important part is that I made it to the show.
I arrived at the Belcourt and settled into my creaky, vintage movie theater seat, looking around me and already feeling disappointed at the lack of attendance. I love Travis so much, that sometimes I forget that not everyone is a fan. Even though I was obviously not the only person at the show I felt like I was sitting in Fran’s living room looking through old photo albums and talking about the past. I was taking an intimate look into the meaning and experiences behind these songs, and not in a way that made me feel isolated from the music. I really can’t think of a more appropriate type of show for Travis, because listening to their music has always made me feel connected. At this show I laughed, I cried, I remembered why I love this band so much. I was taken aback by Fran’s sincerity and honesty. I found his openness about the songs and their meanings heartening. I felt like more than a fan, what I felt like though, I’m not really sure I can explain. Going along with the vein of the whole show, Fran and Andy came out to the lobby afterwards and sold their own merchandise and signed autographs. Of course, after waiting in line for 45 minutes and finally getting to the front, the only words I could muster up were “Can you sign my ticketstub?”I didn’t really know how to articulate how I was feeling. Even thinking about it now three months later, I’m not sure what I would say if faced with the opportunity again. It’s a weird, personal feeling that just leaves me feeling happy and sad; happy to be a Travis fan having this experience, sad that this can’t last forever.
So maybe it’s fitting that I finally finish this review as I sit waiting to board my plane to Glasgow, Scotland, the home of Travis. On the flight I know I will listen to some Travis, and the music will be like comfort from an old friend, calming me and telling me that it will be OK, it will all be OK.
