The Travelling Band - Only Waiting

This was my first article for Avenue61 back in August 2009...

With the six piece’s Manchester heritage consisting of legends from New Order, to The Smiths to Oasis, you will be comforted to know that their music embodies none of the stereotypical dreariness of mundane everyday troubles. The Travelling Band’s sugary folk music is influenced by a variety of genres including rock and country, before what they describe as “filtering it through their own sunshine POP sensibility”. They are an instrument heavy band, where over half contributes to the vocals and play the guitar, with harmonicas, banjos, a pump organ and accordion also being involved. Embracing folk from the delicate acoustic riffs right down to the band’s seemingly compulsory stunted beards, it’s hard to not instantly warm to the sweet ballads and heartfelt lyrics.

Winners of the Glastonbury New Talent Competition in 2008, the band have already reached the dizzy heights of stardom by not only impressing Mr Eavis and the ever critical music bibles, but even collaborating with Rolf Harris in a comical stop smoking campaign (lasting all of a 1minute 53 second You Tube video). They also recorded their music in New York with legendary producers Eric “Roscoe” Amble and Tim Hatfield, who have previously worked on albums by Ryan Adams and Regina Spektor.

Popular single Only Waiting is a steady offering, opening with an instantly recognisable and unforgettable melody. At first listen the song fools you into thinking it is an upbeat celebration for the impatience of waiting for the right ‘one’, but the dark lyrics undermine the cheery music. With lines such as “staring out the window wishing you could die/I look at myself I see nothing that I like” the singers insecurities can almost go unnoticed by the pleasant melodies forcing their way past the negativity. Beautiful song writing with sinister tones reminiscent of city cousins Joy Division, the laid back music mixed with outreaching lyrics makes for an easy and thoroughly enjoyable listen. Other songs are not so mournful and are less produced; dropping the strings accompaniment in favour of old fashioned acoustic - for example, Waterfalls which is currently up for Steve Lamacq’s 6Music Rebel Playlist and is released August 10th.

They like their live shows to feel like a “feel-good tour-de-force” by swapping instruments and inspiring audience participation. It has been said that no one leaves their shows “unconverted”, reflected by the cult of loyal followers in their home city. If you want to challenge this or simply want to check out a charismatic and genuinely talented band, you can catch The Travelling Band at the Croissant Neuf Summer Festival in Wales August 16th and The Classic Grand in Aberdeen August 28th.