There’s A Place I Want To Take You – Interview with Kurt Travis

How do you usually write the lyrics of your songs?

I always write from life, whether it be actual past I’m talking about or an idea, or sometimes it’s about the future or the uncertainty there of.

In your opinion, what is the most important thing in songwriting?

Setting aside time to write. Find out what time of the day (or night) works best for you, just simply sitting down, and creating. The timing is very important. I find that right when I wake up is the best time for me to create as of late.

Are you ever scared of revealing aspects of your personal life/experience to strangers through your music?

I’ve always been a “heart on my sleeve” sort of song writer, but I try to shroud personal details in metaphor. Sometimes it works lol.

What is the best lyric that you ever wrote (the most meaningful for you)?

I don’t know if I have a favorite lyric, but on this new album, I’m very proud of the lyrics as a whole. There are a lot of similar verses and choruses on this one. The first verse of ‘Easy Peasy’ mirrors the 2nd verse in ‘Tomorrow Will Be Fine”. Other songs that have similarities are ‘Too Much Space’ and ‘We’ll Probably Be Alright’. They both have he same chords, just arranged and played differently. The chorus of ‘Too Much Space’ is sung on top of the chorus in ‘We’ll Probably Be Alright’ just in a sightly different key.

What inspired “Easy Peasy,” part of your latest album ‘There’s A Place I Want To Take You’?

I used to listen to Pinback quite a bit in my 20s and I loved the layered vocals that Rob Crow creates with his band. This is my attempt at something like that.

Is there a link or a common theme among the songs of the new album?

The theme of life and the process of how the hell are we gonna survive these ups and downs if we could just be a little bit more… of something, anything.

What is the best suggestion your producer gave you?

Dom told me once that I probably should see a doctor cuz I got heck-a-tight-is C.

What are your plans for the rest of 2019?
I’ve spent the first half of 2019 recording this new solo record and the new Royal Coda record, so the rest of the year will be touring, and hopefully hanging out with some friends and family.