(dynamic duo)
(wonderful people)
(one album and inverview)
The Travels moniker first came to be in late 2006 when we met on tour with our old bands. I told Mona I was thinking about playing solo when we came back to the states, under that name, but when I decided to come live with her in Boston we naturally started to play music together instead. We needed a name, so we kept it. There’s something uniquely beautiful about Travel, and I can’t explain the motivation behind the desire, at least for some people, to seek the same mundane things in foreign places. To me, that sensation of leaving your body and “seeing” yourself from outside—some people might call that loneliness—is amplified when you’re actually alone, particularly when you’re touring abroad, or even just driving through the night looking for a motel, and although some could find that depressing, I find it incredibly inspiring. (Not that we don’t also find touring exciting and adventurous!) So, there, that’s why Travels. Although, ironically, we both tour (travel) much, much less than we used to.
2. How has your music progression changed through your different releases?
The first record was recorded on a digital 4-track pretty quickly. We each brought a few songs to the table and recorded them, and then the other person added an appropriate layer. Although I really love that record, and I think our parts go well together, they weren’t really written the same way we write now, together in one room, “jamming” on chords and beats and words until we’re both excited about them. The second record, The Hot Summer, was when we started developing our skills as a “band,” so to speak, and the songs sound more natural, I think. The record is kind of like a quilt, in that each song was an experiment in writing together and recording, and every song is a little different from that last. By Robber on the Run, we knew what we were doing together. The songs flow, they were mostly written with both of us in the room, and, from start to finish, it sounds like a full-length, I think. Our latest release, the 7”/digital EP, is a continuation of that. As a whole, it’s a bit louder than the other records though.
3. What is something you have always wanted to get across with your music?
We don’t have any kind of message. We just play real music that means something to us, and hopefully some people find comfort in the songs.
4. How does the writing process take place? What goes into a new song?
Well, our next record will be a concept record, so we’re approaching it differently. There’s also no more drum machine. Mona’s on vocals and guitar, and I’m on keys (with the left hand), a suitcase kick, snare and vocals. We just go into our practice room and see what happens. I’m writing more of the lyrics, and Mona’s making edits to fit the measures, and we go back and forth like that until we’re happy. We're really excited about this next full length. For the other records, see above.
5. What if there is a certain single song is your favorite or that you felt you put your all into?
Hmm, that’s impossible to say. I think it’s natural that most of my favorite songs are on the new 7”/EP.
6. Where do you draw the inspiration for your music?
I can’t say for sure. Sometimes when I’m watching a movie, sometimes from a poem, sometimes on the bicycle early in the morning coming to work.
7. What is coming up next for you guys?
We’re doing a short tour in March—boston, new york, philly, baltimore, arlington, columbus, indianapolis, chicago, toledo. Hopefully we’ll go to Europe again. (maybe next winter.) We’re also a few songs into writing the next full-length, which we’ll hopefully record by the end of the year and put out on vinyl by early next.
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