Glasgow's multi-BRIT and Ivor Novello-winning songwriting giants Travis reveal a second song, 'Raze The Bar', from their upcoming album Los Angeles TimesAvailable July 12th via BMG.
A bittersweet story about the closing of “Black & White Bar”, a beloved New York venue for the band and dozens of local creatives, from The Strokes to the “Godfather of Street Art” Richard Hambleton. 'Raze The Bar' uses Fran's masterful songwriting to recount a fictional night at the Greenwich Village bar with all the frequent characters (bar staff and owners Johnny T Yerington and Chris Yerington are now immortalized in the artwork of the simple) before. closed forever. In keeping with the song's theme, 'Raze The Bar' sees Travis surrounded by friends. Coldplay's Chris Martin and The Killers' Brandon Flowers join the party, providing additional vocals on the song, a measure of the esteem Travis still holds for the bands that emerged in his wake.
Speaking about 'Raze The Bar', Fran Healy says:
“There was a great bar in New York City. It had no name but everyone called it Black and White because of the black and white striped awning that hung over the entrance. They had poetry nights, great DJs and open mic nights. If you played a show at Irving Plaza or Webster Hall, chances are you'll end up at Black and White until the wee hours of the morning. One of the owners, Johnny T, took on many artists and bands over the years. If that bar could talk, what a story it would tell.
During the pandemic, the landlord refused to negotiate a reduced rent and they had to close. Then, in the middle of the night, they showed up with a truck and removed every trace and item from the bar. Then they whitewashed the entire space so it could never be repeated. 'Raze the Bar' is a song about a fictional night at the bar. Johnny is there, Jack, Richard, and Johnny's brother and co-owner of the bar, Chris. The cameos were almost an afterthought! I called Chris Martin in a bit of a panic because he couldn't figure out what the track sequence should be. When Chris heard it, he said, 'That song is the best thing you've ever written!' And because he and Brandon Flowers live pretty close…”
Listen to “Raze the Bar” – BELOW:
Los Angeles Times sees Travis embark on a bold new era; an incredible achievement that comes 25 years after the band released their number one hit album. The man whoan album certified 9 times Platinum only in the United Kingdom.
“LA Times is our most personal album since The Man Who. Back then there were a lot of important things to write about, the tectonic plates had shifted in my life. I was 22 years old when I wrote those songs. They were my therapy. More than 20 years later, the plates have changed again. There is a lot to talk about.” -Fran Healy
Produced by Tony Hoffer (Air, Beck, Phoenix), Los Angeles Times was written by Fran Healy in her studio on the outskirts of Skid Row, Los Angeles, the city she has called home for the last decade. He describes it as Travis's. “Most personal album since The Man Who”. In its ten songs, its creator inevitably tries to make sense of the path taken up to this point, a sentiment reflected in the impressive photography on the album cover. Echoing some of Travis' most beloved albums: The man who, The invisible band and The nameless boy – we are greeted again by four distant figures in the middle of a vast environment, this time under the concrete and glow of downtown Los Angeles at night. An uninterrupted education since his training at Glasgow School of Art in the 1990s, the coordinates of their extraordinary journey together are set by this latest in a series of stunning images from the world-renowned photographer and Travis collaborator for over 20 years. years, Stefan. Ruiz.
Travis will kick off a big live season in summer 2024, confirmed to perform with The Killers during their 16-date UK stadium tour throughout June and July, and return to Europe for his first headline tour across the continent. from 2016, from August to September, with more live activity in the UK to be announced soon.
Arena tour dates with The Killers
June 12 3Arena, Dublin, Ireland
June 14 3Arena, Dublin, Ireland
June 15 3Arena, Dublin, Ireland
June 18 Co-op Live Arena, Manchester, UK
June 19 Co-op Live Arena, Manchester, UK
June 21 Co-op Live Arena, Manchester, UK
June 22 Co-op Live Arena, Manchester, UK
June 25 OVO Hydro, Glasgow, UK
June 26 OVO Hydro, Glasgow, UK
June 27 OVO Hydro, Glasgow, UK
4th of July O2 Arena, London, United Kingdom
July 5 O2 Arena, London, United Kingdom
July 7 O2 Arena, London, United Kingdom
July 8 O2 Arena, London, UK
July 10 O2 Arena, London, United Kingdom
July 11 O2 Arena, London, United Kingdom
Unique work from 'Raze The Bar':
(LR: Richard Allen, bar owners Johnny Yerington and Chris Yerington, Caleb Braaten, Jasper, Omar Rojer, Courtney, George, Ethan Minsker (on the floor) Dave Ransone (above Ethan Minsker), Betsy Maher (above Dave Ransone ), Mike Lee (above Betsy Maher).
LA Times track listing
1 – Bus
2 – Destroy the bar
3 – Live it all over again
4 – Gas light
5 – Alive
6 – Home
7 – I hope you spontaneously combust
8 – Naked in New York City
9 – The river
10 – Los Angeles Times
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