With a sound described as “Mancuinan Americana” by BBC 6Music’s Marc Riley, The Travelling Band is focused around the songwriting talents and production skills of Jo Dudderidge and Adam Gorman, and the driving force of drummer Nick Vaal. Harry Fausing Smith (sax, violin, and clarinet) and Sam Quinn on bass, joined the group on the departure of original members Mugger (guitar) and bass player Spenny. Chris Hillman joins the band for their energetic live shows on guitar and pedal steel, while Jo and Adam share lead vocals. Their album, ‘SAILS’, is out on 25 August through Sideways Saloon/Kartel Music Group.
‘SAILS’ is a ten track album which reminds us of the likes of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, with a Mancunian edge to it, reminiscent of Elbow. Strings and horns characterise the sound of The Travelling Band, and somewhat soften the dark lyrical themes of the tracks. The Travelling Band have had a journey of sorts just to get this album out – having spent ten years on the road touring, personal and relationship issues began to emerge, and two of the five founding members left during the record’s recording. Taking a further twelve months to record, the album was essentially recorded live. It’s hard to say what the standout track on the album is, but ‘Last Night (I Dreamt Of Killing You)’, which was released as a single on 28 July, has a lyrical edge to it that calls to mind The Smiths, which really appealed to us.
‘SAILS’ came about when Spenny suggested the band get straight into the studio to record a new album, live, and quickly. The decision followed an event described by Jo as “the Christmas miracle”. The band made national news when the band’s social media following rallied around to support them after all their gear was stolen, along with their tour van:
“what happened made us feel wanted and relevant to people’s lives. The band seemed bigger than just the members” Jo says.
The van and all their gear was safely returned, and the band set to record. Unfortunately this soon stalled as their relationships faltered. Jo was inspired by a trip to Nashville and the sense of community amongst artists and musicians in the city’s buzzing East Nashville suburbs. Returning to Manchester he had a renewed confidence, and a desire to create a similar support hub there.
“It seemed an obvious thing to me: if there’s a city in the world that has that collaborative spirit at its core, then it’s Manchester.”
From this was born Pinhole Sound Studio, a recording space where instruments and equipment have been consolidated into a creative hub for Manchester’s musical community.
“All the bands coming in to record at Pinhole Sound Studio gave us the impetus to finish our own record,” Jo continues. “The songs we had were the sails for the band – all we had to do was find the energy to breathe life in to them.”
‘SAILS’ will appeal to a wide range of tastes, with rock, Americana and pop genres sharing equal weight on the album.
‘SAILS’ is out on 25 August on CD, limited edition white vinyl LP, and as a digital download. You can pre-order it here.
The Travelling Band will be performing several dates following the launch of their album ahead of their UK tour in November. You can see them here:
27 Aug – River Cottage Festival
29 Aug – Rough Trade East (instore)
30 Aug – Rough Trade Nottingham (instore)
UK Tour – NOVEMBER 2017:
Wed 1 BRIGHTON Prince Albert
Thu 2 BRISTOL Thekla
Fri 3 CHELTENHAM Forg & Fiddle
Sat 4 LIVERPOOL Shipping Forecast
Fri 10 NEWCASTLE Cluny
Sat 11 GLASGOW The Hug & Pint
Sun 12 EDINBURGH The Mash House
Thu 16 LEICESTER Soundhouse
Fri 17 MANCHESTER Band on the Wall
Sat 18 BANGOR Blue Sky Cafe
Tue 21 LONDON Borderline
Thu 23 BIRMINGHAM Hare & Hounds
Sat 25 LEEDS High & Lonesome Festival
Sun 26 NOTTINGHAM Bodega
Find out more about The Travelling Band online on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Soundcloud, and their official website.
