Travis Atwell
Travis Attwell Interview
Q: You have been writing songs for over a decade. Why did you decide to come out with an album now?
A: I always wanted to make an album, but those dreams were placed on the back burner while I was in college and pursuing other interests. Coming out now, I think, was a way for me to let myself know that I truly do love songwriting and want to make it as significant a part of my life as possible. It was an exercise in self-discovery after a long series of pretty dramatic life changes, serving as a therapeutic device as much as an artistic one.
Q: Your album Lines of Prematurity is eclectic but fits nice and snug into the indie rock category. I was reminded of the band Claps Your Hands Say Yeah. Were there any bands that had an influence on the album?
A: I’ve always been a huge admirer of bands that are able to express themselves through myriad styles of music while somehow retaining their own original essence. I think The Killers do this very well, and I think they more than anyone have not only influenced this album but also my initial fascination with music.
Q: I enjoyed “Fire&Stone." Who is singing with you? And can we expect more vocal collaborations in the future?
A: Thank you very much! I recruited my younger sister, Mary Beth, to contribute to this song. I think she has an outstanding voice, and I think it helped solidify the song’s theme of binary opposition. I actually wrote it with her in mind several months before recording (it’s the only song I had written before deciding to record an album). It was a fantastic experience working with her. I love singing with other people. I think there’s a beautiful intimacy to it. I have more coming with the two of us, and I hope to collaborate with several artists in the future. I’m always open to and encouraging of working with other artists!
Q: You have been writing songs for over a decade. Why did you decide to come out with an album now?
A: I always wanted to make an album, but those dreams were placed on the back burner while I was in college and pursuing other interests. Coming out now, I think, was a way for me to let myself know that I truly do love songwriting and want to make it as significant a part of my life as possible. It was an exercise in self-discovery after a long series of pretty dramatic life changes, serving as a therapeutic device as much as an artistic one.
Q: Your album Lines of Prematurity is eclectic but fits nice and snug into the indie rock category. I was reminded of the band Claps Your Hands Say Yeah. Were there any bands that had an influence on the album?
A: I’ve always been a huge admirer of bands that are able to express themselves through myriad styles of music while somehow retaining their own original essence. I think The Killers do this very well, and I think they more than anyone have not only influenced this album but also my initial fascination with music.
Q: I enjoyed “Fire&Stone." Who is singing with you? And can we expect more vocal collaborations in the future?
A: Thank you very much! I recruited my younger sister, Mary Beth, to contribute to this song. I think she has an outstanding voice, and I think it helped solidify the song’s theme of binary opposition. I actually wrote it with her in mind several months before recording (it’s the only song I had written before deciding to record an album). It was a fantastic experience working with her. I love singing with other people. I think there’s a beautiful intimacy to it. I have more coming with the two of us, and I hope to collaborate with several artists in the future. I’m always open to and encouraging of working with other artists!
Q: If you could tell our audience of only one song they could listen to on Lines of Prematurity which one would it be and why?
A: This is kind of a tough choice, but I think I would recommend “Chemical Lies.” To me, it’s the most “me” song on the album (if that makes sense). I prioritize the writing process above all else, and I think this is one of the more measured, delicate, and accessible songs on the album.
Q: Are you planning on touring now that the album is done?
A: I’m not officially “touring” but I am performing the album very often at numerous venues. My first festival gig at Bristol’s Rhythm and Roots is next month, so I’m very excited to perform the album to a large audience. I’m moving to the Raleigh, NC area in a couple of weeks, where I hope to share my work with a wide audience.
Q: Is there anything you can tell us about what we expect from you in the future?
A: I went into making this album with almost no production knowledge. I made plenty of mistakes in recording, which the review justifiably points out. I always imagined the hardest part was composing and writing a song, but I found out quickly that I was mistaken. I’ve learned so much about what not to do that I think my next project will be able to translate my songs to listeners much better. I’m working on a second album now, tentatively titled Strange to be Young which I believe will build off of the strength of the songwriting/eclectic style in Lines of Prematurity. The drums will definitely be softer this time around! I’m also releasing a weekly video series of live performances on my YouTube channel, “Travis Atwell.” Overall, I just aim to keep improving my craft and continuing to write and perform. The most important thing for me is to connect people to the ideas in my songs using my personal experiences and vulnerabilities. Whenever someone sends me a message saying something like “This line really spoke to me and I felt understood” it is absolutely the most fulfilling thing. I hope to get that feeling the rest of my career.
A: This is kind of a tough choice, but I think I would recommend “Chemical Lies.” To me, it’s the most “me” song on the album (if that makes sense). I prioritize the writing process above all else, and I think this is one of the more measured, delicate, and accessible songs on the album.
Q: Are you planning on touring now that the album is done?
A: I’m not officially “touring” but I am performing the album very often at numerous venues. My first festival gig at Bristol’s Rhythm and Roots is next month, so I’m very excited to perform the album to a large audience. I’m moving to the Raleigh, NC area in a couple of weeks, where I hope to share my work with a wide audience.
Q: Is there anything you can tell us about what we expect from you in the future?
A: I went into making this album with almost no production knowledge. I made plenty of mistakes in recording, which the review justifiably points out. I always imagined the hardest part was composing and writing a song, but I found out quickly that I was mistaken. I’ve learned so much about what not to do that I think my next project will be able to translate my songs to listeners much better. I’m working on a second album now, tentatively titled Strange to be Young which I believe will build off of the strength of the songwriting/eclectic style in Lines of Prematurity. The drums will definitely be softer this time around! I’m also releasing a weekly video series of live performances on my YouTube channel, “Travis Atwell.” Overall, I just aim to keep improving my craft and continuing to write and perform. The most important thing for me is to connect people to the ideas in my songs using my personal experiences and vulnerabilities. Whenever someone sends me a message saying something like “This line really spoke to me and I felt understood” it is absolutely the most fulfilling thing. I hope to get that feeling the rest of my career.