Travis Atria’s writing has been translated into multiple languages and has appeared in Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, The Believer, Wax Poetics, as well as other magazines and newspapers. His first book, Traveling Soul, the definitive biography of R&B legend Curtis Mayfield, written with Mayfield’s son Todd, was recognized with an honorable mention by the Society of Midland Authors (past winners include Kurt Vonnegut and Studs Terkel). It was recently published in a Spanish translation as Alma Vagabunda. His latest book, Better Days Will Come Again, is the epic true story of jazz great Arthur Briggs, a saga that races from Harlem in the Renaissance, to Paris in the Jazz Age, to a Nazi prison camp in World War II. Atria is also an accomplished musician under his performing name – Atria
Atria’s music has been featured on FX’s Better Things, MTV’s The Real World, and GQ.com, as well as in the film The Myth of the American Sleepover and a JanSport commercial. He has performed at Bonnaroo and SXSW, and with his earlier band Morningbell, its album Boa Noite was ranked by The Fire Note as best of the year. Atria’s new album Moonbrain is due out April 2nd.
With Valentine’s Day around the corner, Atria has modernized the Mayfield playbook by dropping the symphonically funky new single titled “Love Theme.” This “in the pocket” charmer dazzles on first listen and lines up with the Daptone brand with its Motown touchpoints and undeniable hooks. Atria proves well versed to tackle the soul genre and “Love Theme” makes for a righteous reward.
“This is a little bit of ear candy about the power of love in a world of unending catastrophe. It features Dan Bailey (Father John Misty) on drums. It begins with my great Aunt Bette interviewing her mother, my great-grandmother, Martha Ed, a Syrian refugee who fled her hometown at age fifteen during an invasion by the Turkish army and came to America. I was lucky to have known her. Her voice is a magical thing to me. Also, in a happy coincidence, this album will be released on her birthday,” says Atria
