Sometimes we have to find ourselves in order to get to that place where we need to be. It could mean packing your bags and heading to that unknown destination. Kurt Travis is here to remind us that life is about the journey not the destination with his latest solo release entitled “There’s A Place I Want To Take You”.
Some alternative rock fans know the familiarity of Kurt Travis’s career based on his previous work as a vocalist with Dance Gavin Dance and A Lot Like Birds. When I spoke to Travis, he stated that he needed to find himself and to explore himself creatively and wanted to show a more singer/songwriter vibe, and he certainly accomplished that with this record.
The record showcases some universal truths including perseverance and getting through difficult obstacles in life with tracks such as “Tomorrow Will Be Fine” and “We’ll Probably Be Alright”. I love the drum fills in Tomorrow Will Be Fine which bring about that sense of familiarity and nostalgic vibes as the songs are a bit more hard hitting and are filled with that power that Kurt Travis has trademarked. The chorus in “We’ll Probably Be Alright” showcase that duality and those conflicted feelings a person might have within themselves. In the chorus Travis sings, “You think you’re not affecting/but I’m affecting you/And now we’re not connecting/but I’m projecting you/You think you’re not deflecting/But I’m deflecting you”, these lyrics paint that vivid imagery on those conflicted feelings that a person might have to deal with when they are suffering from some form of mental illness. “Tomorrow Will Be Fine” shows that we can rise through those challenges and to call on someone to help them get through those difficult times.
Travis shows some psychedelic/synthwave vibes in the song “Best Way”, which allows fans of Dance Gavin Dance and A Lot Like Birds to see another side of Kurt Travis as an artist. I can tell with this song that Kurt certainly doesn’t want to be in the alternative rock box, but wants to be known as an artist and a musician. The song has such an atmospheric California vibe feel to it, but it deals with a very serious subject matter about processing through the feelings of anxiety. The collaborations with Andres in “Too Much Space” and “Hometown” certainly add a nice touch to this album.
This album is atmospheric and it is really staggering at how versatile that Kurt Travis is as an artist and a musician. I am surprised at how under the radar he is, but he is certainly one of the best kept secrets in alternative rock as Madness To Creation rates this record a 9 out of 10 stars. Check out the track listing below.
- Too Much Space featuring Andres
- Easy Peasy
- Tomorrow Will Be Fine
- Hometown featuring Andres
- It’s You
- We’ll Probably Be Alright
- Best Way
- Easy To Decide
- Still Won’t Listen
- Lewis
Kurt Travis has some gigs coming up in support of “There’s A Place I Want To Take You”. Check out the gig dates below:
Fri. 6/7- Crowbar in Tampa, Florida
Mon. 6/10- The Drunken Unicorn in Atlanta, Georgia
Tue. 6/11- The End in Nashville, Tennessee
Thu. 6/13- Brewski’s Pub & Grub in Little Rock, Arkansas
Fri. 6/14- Three Links in Dallas, Texas
Sat. 6/15- Yerberia Cultura in McAllen, Texas
Sun. 6/16- Come And Take It Live in Austin, Texas
Mon. 6/17- The Secret Group in Houston, Texas
Wed. 6/19- Rockhouse Bar & Grill in El Paso, Texas
Thu. 6/20- Pub Rock Live in Scottsdale, Arizona
For tickets and further information, click here.
Fans can find KURT TRAVIS at the following locations:
www.facebook.com/kurttravismusic
www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurt_Travis
