On November 4th, 2008, Travis will release their sixth studio album, Ode to J Smith, on Fontana International under their own recently reignited label imprint, Red Telephone Box.
Red Telephone Box was first created in 1996 when Travis frontman, Fran Healy borrowed £600 from his mum to pay for the recording of Travis’ debut single. That track, the rousingly self-descriptive ‘All I Wanna Do Is Rock,’ was released on the then spanking new, band-owned label with a sleeve designed by Healy.
Fast forward twelve years – during which time they have sold ten million albums, scored numerous accolades and headlined festivals all over the world – and Travis are back at the helm of Red Telephone Box for the release of Ode To J Smith.
Ode to J Smith is their first album to be written on electric guitar since Good Feeling and places lead guitarist Andy Dunlop firmly center stage, recalling those early recordings. In short, it’s their loudest, edgiest and most arresting record since their debut. The album was written in 5 weeks and recorded in just 14 days at Rak Studios in London. Ode to J Smith was produced by Emery Dobyns (Antony & The Johnsons, Patti Smith, Battles) and mixed at Electric Lady Studios in New York. It’s the sound of a band re-born, re-inspired and re-energized.
