Abby Travis Store 
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Abby Travis
Born: Abigail Travis
November 10, 1969
Birthplace: Los Angeles, Calif.
“Imagine a smoky, mid-1920s speakeasy, a shapely alto crooning ironic love songs as she drapes herself along the length of the piano. Then she kicks you in the nuts.”
~ Philadelphia City Paper
Siren Looks and Razor Sharp Intellect
Michael Holloway
The quote taken from the Philadelphia City Paper is an apt description of the fabulously sexy Abby Travis. Her 1920s screen siren looks are an interesting contrast to her modern, razor-sharp intellect, and her progressive outlook on life. She plays bass like nobody's business, has a smoky and sensuous voice unlike any other, and writes incredibly cerebral music. Her sounds are like something from a Marlene Dietrich cabaret, yet is refreshingly hip at the same time.
Playing with The Go-Go's and The Bangles
I first discovered her music when she (unofficially) replaced Michael Steele in The Bangles in 2005 when Steele decided to leave the band for unknown personal reasons. That same year, Travis had also worked with Kathy Valentine of The Go-Go's on her stellar solo album Light Years and played gigs with Valentine and Jane Wiedlin.
The Bangles visited Australia for a concert tour in November 2005, a performance I wholeheartedly loved as it was my first ever concert experience. Though, in all honesty, I did miss Steele playing with Susanna Hoffs, Vicki and Debbi Peterson.
Dynamic, Moody, Upbeat and Depressing
Travis was a dynamic bass player with loads of energy and charisma. She did not sing lead on any songs, nor has she sung lead on any Bangles albums, but she seemed such a natural member of the group that fans soon began calling her "the new Bangle". There were detractors however, who called her lots of other things, but true fans like myself always rallied to her defense.
A month or so prior to the show, I had purchased her first two solo albums The Abby Travis Foundation and Cut Throat Standards and Black Pop from Amazon.com. I had never heard her sing before, but as I was going to see her in November, I wanted to check her out. Now, I am certainly glad I did.
Travis' music can be at different times beautiful, thrilling, provocative, upbeat, severely depressing (but not in a negative sense), and uplifting. Travis' audiences get so many facets of this amazing woman in her albums, and each song becomes an instant classic.
Happy Halloween Song
See below for the lyrics for the deliciously creepy October from Cut Throat Standards And Black Pop, the perfect Halloween song. Even without the audio, the vivid imagery shows Travis at her poetic best.
Glitter Mouth from the Pelvis
In 2006, after my first concert experience with Travis and The Bangles, the lady released a third album, Glitter Mouth, which to date, is both my favourite Abby Travis album, and in my top twenty favourites in my 190 item CD collection. Yes, I counted. Travis explains the theme of her third album as more sensual and emotive than her Mensa-worthy first two releases. This is not to say that Glitter Mouth is not as intelligent as the other two, because it is, but it does appeal more solely to the heart.
"My last album was rather dark and intellectual,” Travis said 
Lies is available exclusively on iTunes. |
. “This one comes more from the pelvis.”
Travis not only wrote, sang and played bass (along with other instruments as she is very versatile in this area), she also produced, engineered and mixed much of the album.
“I know, I know,” she confesses with a silvery laugh, “I have trouble delegating sometimes.”
Click on the photo to see the music video Travis released for Now Was the hit single from Glitter Mouth.
Lies
Travis also recorded and released a single called Lies which deals with her frustration regarding the current US government's gross mishandling of many important recent events, and the continuing deceit and corruption in the Bush administration. The song features rhythm guitarist Susanna Hoffs, lead guitarist Vicki Peterson, and drummer Debbi Peterson from The Bangles performing backing vocals.
Travis wrote Lies, plays bass, and performs lead vocals. Abby's own keyboard player, Kristian Hoffman, also hops on board for the new single. Also featured are Dave Bongiovanni on guitar and Rey Washam on drums.
Despite her busy life, career and schedule, she offers fans a "Dearest Abby" agony aunt service where she answers letters from fans and gives her trademark sage advice with heartfelt empathy or rollickingly, funny humour.
An inspirational quote from Travis
"Stop trying to be cool. The minute one strives for coolness they become instantly uncool. There’s nothing more annoying than one who tries too hard to be something that they are not. If “cool” is a state of being it has to come from within. You will become cool when you have confidence in yourself. Just be yourself and be gracious to others when you have the opportunity. If they do not return your kindness then they are not worth your time. Fear not, you as as important as every other individual in the entire world. Just focus on your strengths and nurture them and you will be just fine. Find your own individual coolness--and when you do no one can take it away from you."
October
October, the ashes of summer and the scorpion's sting Embrace the naked moon of Halloween
It's October again
The autumn leaves are dead
The sun makes way for the bales of hay
To silhouette the dead
It's October again
Orange mates with the ground that breaks
As tree tops twist and bend
The crow's eat meat of the long lost meek
And the dark is dressed in red
Something in the air is like a lure
Listen closely hear it stir
The sleeping souls are rising and concur
It's time for Halloween
It's October again
Through Mesmer's eyes
Lost dreams arise
And visit like old friends
The crow's eat meat of the long lost meek
And the dark is dressed in red
A farewell feast where the guests, deceased,
Are vibrant and well fed
Something in the air is like a lure
Listen closely hear it stir
The sleeping souls are rising and concur
It's time for Halloween
Something in the air is like a lure
Listen closely hear it stir
The sleeping souls are rising and concur
It's time for Halloween. |
Bass Lessons Anyone?
"Hello ladies and gents, I'm accepting new bass students. If interested please contact me via email Los Angeles area," said Travis.
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