“If you’re the singer in a band, people always ask, ‘Are you gonna go solo?’” says Fran Healy. “My answer was always, ‘Why would I do that? I’m in the best band in the world.’ But last year, out of the blue, I suddenly thought, okay, it’s time.” 

As it turns out, the wait proved worth it. WRECKORDER sees the singer and songwriter of the beloved Scottish band, Travis, striding a new creative path that allows his incomparable songs to shine in an altogether different light. The tunesmith behind two “Album Of The Year” Brit Awards and responsible for such classics as “Sing,” “Driftwood,” and “Why Does It Always Rain On Me,” Healy set out to craft an intimate series of recordings trying to capture what he felt was sometimes misplaced or lost in translation in the journey from Dictaphone to recording studio. As a result, songs such as “Anything” and first single, “Buttercups,” reflect a more singular and personal vision, showcasing Healy’s beguiling vocals and insistent melodies. Simply put, WRECKORDER is unlike anything Fran Healy has done before. “My biggest concern was that it would sound too much like Travis. What would be the point in going solo only to make a record that sounded like Travis” he says. “I’m relieved it doesn’t.” 

Upon the conclusion of Travis’ 2009 world tour, Healy teamed with Travis guitarist Andy Dunlop for a truly unique US trek. Dubbed “A Chronological Acoustical Journey Through The Travis Back Catalogue” the concert/slideshow presentation saw the duo covering the breadth of Healy’s entire songwriting career, from the first song he wrote to the last, “Holiday.” The rapturous reception received by the tour left Healy energized and eager to make a career-defining album.

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