Glasgow’s multiple BRIT and Ivor Novello-winning songwriting giants Travis reveal a second track ‘Raze The Bar’ from their upcoming album L.A Times, out on 12th July via BMG.
A bittersweet story about the closure of “Black & White Bar,” a much-loved New York haunt for the band and scores of local creatives, from The Strokes to “Godfather of Street Art” Richard Hambleton. ‘Raze The Bar’ utilises Fran’s masterful songwriting to tell of a fictional last night in the Greenwich Village bar with all of the frequent characters (the bar staff, and owners Johnny T Yerington and Chris Yerington are now immortalised in the single artwork) before it closed forever. In keeping with the theme of the track, ‘Raze The Bar’ sees Travis surrounded by friends. Coldplay’s Chris Martin and Brandon Flowers of The Killers join the party, supplying additional vocals on the track – a measure of the esteem in which Travis are still held by the bands who emerged in their wake.
Speaking about ‘Raze The Bar’, Fran Healy says: “There was a great bar in New York City. It didn’t have a name but everyone called it Black and White on account of the black and white striped awning that hung over the entrance. They had poetry nights, great DJs, open mic nights. If you played a show at Irving Plaza or Webster Hall, chances are you ended up at Black and White till the wee small hours. One of the owners, Johnny T, looked after so many artists and bands over the years. If that bar could talk, what a story it would tell.
Travis will begin a huge live season in summer 2024, confirmed to perform with The Killers across their 16 date UK arena tour through June and July, returning to Europe for their first headline tour across the continent since 2016 in August through to September, with more UK live activity soon to be announced.
L.A. Times is available digitally, on CD and vinyl. The album is also available as a limited deluxe 2CD package which includes a stripped-back version of the L.A. Times album, recorded between Dougie Payne’s Living Room, Glasgow, and Fran Healy’s Living Room, L.A.
HMV and indie stores have a limited edition green marble vinyl and the band’s official store has exclusive limited yellow vinyl and merch bundles. Pre-Order here.
Arena Tour Dates w/ The Killers
12 June 3Arena, Dublin, Ireland
14 June 3Arena, Dublin, Ireland
15 June 3Arena, Dublin, Ireland
18 June Co-op Live Arena, Manchester, UK
19 June Co-op Live Arena, Manchester, UK
21 June Co-op Live Arena, Manchester, UK
22 June Co-op Live Arena, Manchester, UK
25 June OVO Hydro, Glasgow, UK
26 June OVO Hydro, Glasgow, UK
27 June OVO Hydro, Glasgow, UK
4 July O2 Arena, London, UK
5 July O2 Arena, London, UK
7 July O2 Arena, London, UK
8 July O2 Arena, London, UK
10 July O2 Arena, London, UK
11 July O2 Arena, London, UK
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