A singer, songwriter, and producer from Melbourne, TravvisJames is a self-styled 'creative renegade' inspired by the likes of Aphex Twin, Massive Attack and Four Tet.
Creating trip-hop, electronic soundscapes, 'New York' is TravvisJames newest release; a song that transports them back to where the concrete meets neon lights, the sweaty summer heat reflecting off skyscrapers only for the spring rain to wash away the night's sins."In 2011 I spent five weeks in New York City," TravvisJames says. "The thing that really struck me when I arrived was this feeling, the energy in the air of all those that came before me.
"Walking the streets of that incredible city of hundreds of years; this song is about that feeling – nostalgia meets the future in an almost dystopian kaleidoscope of energy."
Who is... TravvisJames is my stage alter ego. My name is Travis. I've been a singer-songwriter since the ripe old age of 14, when I started learning guitar and utilising the fact that my dad was a blues-rock singer and I'd spent most of my childhood years in studios, watching his band rehearse and play gigs etc.
Over the last ten years I've worked on a few different electronic projects, but always with a producer and I just co-produce the material with them. But since then, I've realised that over those years I've picked up a lot of the skills to be able to use programmes like Ableton myself, and now I write and also produce most of the tracks myself.
I work alongside a digital artist and producer Brendan K who has been an incredible support and a key part of TravvisJames. They do all my visuals and have made both my music videos as well.
I sound like... A little bit like '90s nostalgic trip hop/ electronica but with a modern pop twist.
My first gig was... I did my first gig a couple of weeks ago to release my new single. I chose to do it at a place that is very dear to my heart, which is a little bar owned by my friends in Northcote called Lo Key. It was a really cute, little intimate gig with lots of friends and was really fun.
When did you settle on the artistic name, and was it a unanimous decision... I've always been aware of using my actual name and feel like using a stage name per se is a way of me being able to create a personality that isn't necessarily all Travis all the time. To be able to perform and create music as the entity TravvisJames gives me creative freedom.
In the studio I usually... My studio is in my bedroom, so it gives me an opportunity to be creative at any moment, whenever I have that feeling of inspiration or an idea comes to me which is really helpful.
If I could tour with anyone... Bjork.
Social media is... Tiring haha!
My favourite app at the moment is... My calendar app on my phone funnily enough, because without it I would forget everything and everyone.
To date, my most embarrassing moment was the time... I'm not sure I have an answer to this one. I'll get back to you.
Life on the road can be... I'm sure it doesn't come without its challenges. However, I've never done an actual tour out on the road before. Just individual shows.
If you'll have me on your bill, all I ask is that the rider contains... Room temperature water haha.
The most scary scenario I've found myself in, was... I once lost my voice while doing a show in front of a few thousand people when I was younger and it really affected me for quite some time. I lost a lot of confidence and it took a really long time for me to get back to being able to stand in front of people and sing confidently again.
What celebrity/ famous person would you love to be your spokesperson... I'd love for Robyn to be the spokesperson for me, as I feel like she is an icon and has so much insight and presence in the music industry and she's a bad bitch – she doesn't take anyone sh.t.
If you had to live in a city abroad, where would you choose? New York City. It's the greatest city in the world.
Three people you'd like to invite around for a dinner party... Bjork, Thom Yorke, Tilda Swinton.
If we were coming over to your place, what would you cook us? I don't really cook.
When it comes to pets are you a lover or hater of our furry friends? LOVEEEEER!
No matter the expense, send me a case of... Mobey?
The last time I saw the inside of a gym was... Two weeks ago I think. It looked nice. I was walking past.
What's the one chore you dislike the most? Cooking.
Do you have any phobias... Spiders and liars.
Would you ever partake in a reality show? NO WAY!
If you could prank any of your friends, who's your target, and how are you bringing them down? Nah, I'm not that guy.
Best local takeaway joint for a midnight feed that will leave you with a food coma? Pizza or dumplings.
Which fictional character best describes your personality? Um, maybe Dennis the Menace.
Last show you binge-watched? A bunch of true crime when I was home sick – it's my guilty pleasure.
