OK, Roadies - mark your calendars: Today marks the first musical recommendation from me that is actually from a Christian artist.
Travis McClain is the boyfriend of a sister of a friend of mine. I stumbled onto his stuff via MySpace, and loved what I heard. I wrote him - he told me 5 bucks (+$3 for shipping) would get me his new CD. I stuffed some filthy cash into an envelope, and waited. Two days later, I have his CD.
It’s brilliant. He’s a very talented songwriter, with skills to match. I told him he reminded me of early Ryan Adams (See: Heartbreaker) - he wisely took it as a compliment. The recording quality, although recorded in his kitchen, is very good. Lush vocals, nice backup from Lindsey Yegan (younger sister of Ashley, for those in the know), and wonderful lyrics. Haunting at times, inspirationally reminding at others - it makes me think of how lonely Brooklyn can be. Further comparisons to Joe Purdy. Travis is good people: A wise and talented musician who has yet to be absorbed by the system. Check out his MySpace profile here, and get your hands on this very hand-made record.
Listen to “Central Park” - it’s the song that would have kept me from abandoning song-writing, had I written it.
Okay, “Yeah Travis, etc…”, but what I’m saying is that Ryan Adams’ cover of Wonderwall kicks much ass. Better than Oasis by a long shot! That is all.
Okay, just heard Travis… Nice call.
Yes, Ryan Adams does a decent cover once in a while. In fact, the scared the holy hell outta me when he recorded “Rock And Roll” (Which induced neither, by the way). I’m so glad he’s moving backwards now - with The Cardinals.
Travis is good. One of those kids you can see only getting better.
he’s alright I guess…if you like that pansy music and what not.
Travis
We’ve been visited by Himself, in person. You know, he’s a bit like Nick Drake, to look at especially. Lovely.
Cerise
Travis - don’t be intimidated by Cerise’s whorish ways. She’s a god loving music fan herself. :)
Dreadful man. I’ll have your job, Sir.
Cerise
Right now, I’m editing more effing teen theater than I ever wanted to look at. So, you can have my job. Gladly.
Zack, give us some brilliant lines of teen theater and we will suffer with you.
So i’ve known Travis for a while (high school, college, real life, etc.) and, yes, he is a pansy. But his music is hardly pansy music. I also have the pleasure of living in the NYC area and playing in the NYC area. I have seen Ryan Adams up close and personal… and I must say Travis is as good a musician and much better people than Ryan Adams ever could be. Travis’ personality shines through his music to touch the souls of each of his listeners in a truly unique way that only his music can. Travis is real… and that is all ant artist can strive to be in such a “reality tv” based country. When reality isn’t real art has to burn through the bullshit and the artist has to persevere to speak the truth. This is the essence of Travis McClain for me.