Seven years after forming in Glasgow in 1990, the quartet known as Travis got a lot of attention with 1997’s Good Feeling. However, the group’s second major label release, 1999’s The Man Who, was the rare critical and commercial success that most bands would strive for. Going on to sell over four million copies, The Man Who yielded international hits with “Driftwood,” “Writing To Reach You,” and “Why Does It Always Rain On Me?” Q rated it as the 70th greatest album of all time back in 2006, while it’s included in Universe Publishing’s book, 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. Well-received follow-up efforts continued every few years in the 2000s, as 2001’s The Invisible Band –- which included the timeless anthem “Sing” –- and 2003’s 12 Memories also sold gold or platinum in a good number of countries. Ultimately, six albums by Travis have entered the Billboard 200.
2016’s Everything At Once is the latest from Travis, which still includes the classic lineup of singer/guitarist Fran Healy, bassist Dougie Payne, guitarist Andy Dunlop, and drummer Neil Primose. Recorded at Hansa Studios in Berlin, Everything At Once was produced by Michael Ilbert. Released by the band’s Red Telephone Box label –- as distributed by Caroline Records in the United States –- Everything At Once features collaborations with Keane’s Tim Rice-Oxley, Norwegian artist Aurora, and English singer/songwriter Josephine Oniyama. The first single from the 10-track album was “3 Miles High,” which the band put onto YouTube back in January, four months prior to the full-length’s release date.
Fran, who reportedly keeps a home in SoHo, spoke to Downtown via e-mail on the eve of the U.S. release of Everything At Once. He can be followed on Twitter as @FranHealy, while the band keeps a Twitter account as @TravisBand. More info on Travis can be found at 
Everything At Once is yet another release via your Red Telephone Box record label. Where did the name for that label come from?
Fran Healy: For a time, when we moved to London in 1996, we called ourselves “Red Telephone Box.” We went back to Travis soon after. When it came to name our label to release the “All I Want To Do Is Rock” 10-inch, we thought it was a good name for the label.
The lineup of your band has been fairly consistent for over 20 years. Is there something you can attribute that to?
FH: Fairly? It hasn’t changed. A strong friendship is at the core of the band and the four personalities compliment each other perfectly.
Is there something you wish more people knew about Travis?
FH: No.
Is there a professional accomplishment that you’re most proud of?
FH: I don’t think of me as a professional at anything.
Did you enjoy putting out Wreckorder? Is a solo album something you have interest in doing again?
FH: Wreckorder was like a Travis album without the other three members. We were having a break and I had songs I was sitting on and wanted to record. It was a nice experience.
Where in New York did you record [your solo album] Wreckorder? The same place that you had made The Boy With No Name?
FH: I recorded 90% of Wreckorder in my home in Berlin, and the rest in various locations in the United States.
What do you remember about the first gig you ever played in New York?
FH: We played at Wetlands in September of 96. The edge of a hurricane whipped New York while we were there. We went to the top of the Empire State Building while it was raging. I found out later it was called Hurricane Fran.
Any idea when we’ll next be seeing the band live in New York?
FH: No idea.
In 2012 you co-wrote a song for The Killers. Is co-writing for other artists something you hope to do more of in the future?
FH: I only co-wrote it because I was traveling on his [Brandon Flowers’] bus for a couple of nights on his solo tour while in support and sat in on a writing session he was doing. As for future co-writes, I don’t know. Perhaps.
When you’re not busy with your career, how do you like to spend your free time?
FH: With my family.
Finally, Fran, any last words for the kids?
FH: We have been singing way longer than we have been speaking. Singing is deep. Oh, and make your art while your mind is on vacation.
