Travis Vick

Travis Vick sounds like a young man at a crossroads.

The 21-year-old singer/songwriter is burdened by the weight of his first full-length album due out later this year — a collection of songs he wrote and has been performing for years. It’s a self-recorded solo project, in which he played every instrument (more than six total). He says it has been a grueling eight-month process that he is ready to put behind him. - Tom Price

"Seamus Fruitridge" by Travis Vick
Hometown: Manteca

Sound: Quiet folk track that explodes into an indie anthem.

Hear it at: www.myspace.com/travisvickmusic


http://www.209vibe.com/articles/view/447 - 209Vibe

"Seamus Fruitridge" by Travis Vick
Hometown: Manteca

Sound: Quiet folk track that explodes into an indie anthem.

Hear it at: www.myspace.com/travisvickmusic


http://www.209vibe.com/articles/view/447 - 209Vibe

Travis Vick still sounded stoked.

Some sound samples: "It was great. I had a blast. It was really fun. It was awesome. Gee, that was an awesome place."

No wonder.

The Manteca singer-songwriter - he turns 19 on Monday - had just returned from Southern California, where he'd checked out the music industry up close and personal for the first time.

He was one of two musicians selected in a national Internet songwriting contest to perform on the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus stage at the annual National Association of Music Merchants convention in Anaheim last weekend.

"It was awesome," said Vick, who has released two of his own EPs ("Player Piano," in March 2008, and the new "Goat"). "I tried not to expect too much, because I didn't want to set myself up for disappointment. I still can't wrap my head around how much stuff I saw and how many people were there."

Jason McGerr, the drummer in Seattle's Death Cab for Cutie, was one of them.

"I gave my CD to Death Cab's drummer," Vick said, still incredulous. "Oh, my God, I've been a Death Cab fan forever."

During his eight-song, 45-minute performance at 11 a.m. Sunday ("it was really fun"), he coolly recovered from a broken guitar strap. It helped that the stage was set up near the convention hall's entrance - luring the curious to stop and check out Vick's mostly laid-back style of reflective acoustic folk-rock.

Vick's Southern California baptism - sponsored by Sonicbids, an Internet booking agency - also included a solo show Saturday night at Long Beach's Viento y Agua Coffee House and Gallery.

"Gosh, that was an awesome place," said Vick, who followed another musician's set. "Really, really great people. All the people who stayed were super attentive. They were really just into the music and made me really happy."

He didn't get his big break - usually that just happens in the movies - though a "top dog of Disney Music was digging it. He was really, really into it. He said he put my CD in his car. That was pretty awesome."

Not everything was, though.

"Overall, honestly, I couldn't take a lot of those people seriously," Vick said with typical Valley savvy. "It seems like an area where a lot of people are all trying to do the same thing."

So, it's back to Manteca, where he works at Java Makers. Maybe not for long, though.

Vick played for the first time in San Francisco on Wednesday, opening for his friends in City Psychology at The Retox Lounge.

He's hoping to tour Europe this summer and is "thinking about moving up north to Washington. I wanna not live in Manteca."

For now, he and two friends - Jonathan Sarenana of Modesto's Oh Sister and Manteca's Micol Cazzell - have recorded a nine-song EP ("Valley Floor") that soon will be available on iTunes, CD Baby and Rhapsody. Then on old-fashioned vinyl.

That's not surprising. Two of Vick's favorite singer-songwriters are Neil Young and Tom Waits. He grew up listening to Guy Clark and Lyle Lovett in his dad's car.

Like Vick's own CDs, "Valley Floor" was recorded in living rooms and various bathrooms, using the most basic kind of equipment. Bathroom folk?

"It's just the sound of the rooms," said Vick, who's even recorded in Java Makers' bathroom - after closing, of course. "I don't have any computer software. I really hate being on a computer. I just like the way the room sounded.

"I don't have any (electronic) effects. So if I wanted to hear reverb, I'd just find a bathroom with really legitimate reverb."

Like most musicians,describing his own music isn't easy.

"That's always the toughest question," he said. "Like, one lady came up to me and said, like, 'Oh, my God, I feel like you were reading from my diary.' I don't keep a diary. A lot of times my songs are fictional stories. A lot of times they're very real."

He prefers "songs that can, like, paint images with the words. You can just read the lyrics and still be impressed by them."

His songs do that. Delivered in a vulnerably honest voice, they range from the haunting "Jes Vais Bien" to the dreamy "Ripon Song," the imaginative, banjo-plucked arrangement of "Seamus Fruitridge" and somewhat morose "I'll Be Dead," flecked by piano.

Vick started playing piano at 10 and played trombone and piano in Sierra's jazz band for three years. His sister, Taylor, helped him learn to play guitar at 13. A year later, he was writing songs and playing in a band (Fairway).

"Maybe it's just because I listen to a lot of music," he said. "It just came very easily to me. It's something I've always been passionate about. Ever since I've been doing it, it's all I wanted to do."

He wasn't star-struck in Southern California and is keeping his "awesome" weekend in perspective.

"I'm just kind of singing to see how far I can get with music," he said. "If I can continue for the next year, I'll be happy."

It'll probably be a lot longer than that.

By Tony Sauro
Record staff writer
January 22, 2009 6:00 AM
- The Record

Travis Vick still sounded stoked.

Some sound samples: "It was great. I had a blast. It was really fun. It was awesome. Gee, that was an awesome place."

No wonder.

The Manteca singer-songwriter - he turns 19 on Monday - had just returned from Southern California, where he'd checked out the music industry up close and personal for the first time.

He was one of two musicians selected in a national Internet songwriting contest to perform on the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus stage at the annual National Association of Music Merchants convention in Anaheim last weekend.

"It was awesome," said Vick, who has released two of his own EPs ("Player Piano," in March 2008, and the new "Goat"). "I tried not to expect too much, because I didn't want to set myself up for disappointment. I still can't wrap my head around how much stuff I saw and how many people were there."

Jason McGerr, the drummer in Seattle's Death Cab for Cutie, was one of them.

"I gave my CD to Death Cab's drummer," Vick said, still incredulous. "Oh, my God, I've been a Death Cab fan forever."

During his eight-song, 45-minute performance at 11 a.m. Sunday ("it was really fun"), he coolly recovered from a broken guitar strap. It helped that the stage was set up near the convention hall's entrance - luring the curious to stop and check out Vick's mostly laid-back style of reflective acoustic folk-rock.

Vick's Southern California baptism - sponsored by Sonicbids, an Internet booking agency - also included a solo show Saturday night at Long Beach's Viento y Agua Coffee House and Gallery.

"Gosh, that was an awesome place," said Vick, who followed another musician's set. "Really, really great people. All the people who stayed were super attentive. They were really just into the music and made me really happy."

He didn't get his big break - usually that just happens in the movies - though a "top dog of Disney Music was digging it. He was really, really into it. He said he put my CD in his car. That was pretty awesome."

Not everything was, though.

"Overall, honestly, I couldn't take a lot of those people seriously," Vick said with typical Valley savvy. "It seems like an area where a lot of people are all trying to do the same thing."

So, it's back to Manteca, where he works at Java Makers. Maybe not for long, though.

Vick played for the first time in San Francisco on Wednesday, opening for his friends in City Psychology at The Retox Lounge.

He's hoping to tour Europe this summer and is "thinking about moving up north to Washington. I wanna not live in Manteca."

For now, he and two friends - Jonathan Sarenana of Modesto's Oh Sister and Manteca's Micol Cazzell - have recorded a nine-song EP ("Valley Floor") that soon will be available on iTunes, CD Baby and Rhapsody. Then on old-fashioned vinyl.

That's not surprising. Two of Vick's favorite singer-songwriters are Neil Young and Tom Waits. He grew up listening to Guy Clark and Lyle Lovett in his dad's car.

Like Vick's own CDs, "Valley Floor" was recorded in living rooms and various bathrooms, using the most basic kind of equipment. Bathroom folk?

"It's just the sound of the rooms," said Vick, who's even recorded in Java Makers' bathroom - after closing, of course. "I don't have any computer software. I really hate being on a computer. I just like the way the room sounded.

"I don't have any (electronic) effects. So if I wanted to hear reverb, I'd just find a bathroom with really legitimate reverb."

Like most musicians,describing his own music isn't easy.

"That's always the toughest question," he said. "Like, one lady came up to me and said, like, 'Oh, my God, I feel like you were reading from my diary.' I don't keep a diary. A lot of times my songs are fictional stories. A lot of times they're very real."

He prefers "songs that can, like, paint images with the words. You can just read the lyrics and still be impressed by them."

His songs do that. Delivered in a vulnerably honest voice, they range from the haunting "Jes Vais Bien" to the dreamy "Ripon Song," the imaginative, banjo-plucked arrangement of "Seamus Fruitridge" and somewhat morose "I'll Be Dead," flecked by piano.

Vick started playing piano at 10 and played trombone and piano in Sierra's jazz band for three years. His sister, Taylor, helped him learn to play guitar at 13. A year later, he was writing songs and playing in a band (Fairway).

"Maybe it's just because I listen to a lot of music," he said. "It just came very easily to me. It's something I've always been passionate about. Ever since I've been doing it, it's all I wanted to do."

He wasn't star-struck in Southern California and is keeping his "awesome" weekend in perspective.

"I'm just kind of singing to see how far I can get with music," he said. "If I can continue for the next year, I'll be happy."

It'll probably be a lot longer than that.

By Tony Sauro
Record staff writer
January 22, 2009 6:00 AM
- The Record

Travis Vick is only 18, but he has a long history with music. He’s studied piano and trombone, played several instruments in a church worship group and served as the lead singer of Fairway, an indie-rock act from his hometown of Manteca.

Now Vick is beginning the next phase of his career with one of the best solo debuts to come from a local artist in recent memory.

“Player Piano,” released in March, is a captivating collection of indie singer-songwriting that deserves comparison to the music of Jeff Buckley and Elliott Smith. You can hear songs from the album live when Vick performs at 8 p.m. today at Deva Café, 1202 J St., Modesto. Cover is $5, and Shelley Short and Not an Airplane also are on the bill.

Vick said “Player Piano” was recorded over the past few months, as Fairway went on hiatus while the other members left Manteca for college.

“I was sort of stuck in Manteca, and I just decided to record all the songs I had written,” he said.

The result is tracks such as “Aliens and Angels,” a rumination on love set to a jangling tambourine and rolling bass rhythm. “I’ll Be Dead,” meanwhile, is a ballad with a forceful acoustic melody.

It creates a soundtrack for stretching out in a field of wildflowers on a warm spring day and letting the world pass you by. Vick ties the tracks together with his airy, atmospheric vocals and lyrics that are introspective and expressive.

He noted that “Player Piano” is more lyric-driven than his work with Fairway.

“In Fairway, I could care less about the words,” Vick said. “I was just making noise. I kind of care what I say in songs now.

“It’s true I’m seeing exactly how I was before/I’ll just sleep it off,” he sings as a banjo gives way to a crashing electric guitar on “Seamas Fruitridge,” the final and best track on the album. It explodes through headphones, grabs the listener and won’t let go.

The song also shows how far Vick has come since he was in fourth grade and began performing with his church worship group in Manteca. He started on piano, then began filling in on other instruments depending on what the group needed on Sundays.

Vick found himself at a turning point after five years with the church group, when he was told that one day he’d be a worship group leader.

“I was a freshman (in high school), I didn’t want my life planned out for me,” Vick said. He joined Fairway, which was well regarded in the area and performed live regularly.

Today, Vick is receiving praise and attention for his solo work, and he’s been selling out recent coffeehouse gigs.

“I’m pretty happy about everything that’s happening,” he said.

To view article and video clip visit: http://www.209vibe.com/articles/view/188 - The Record

I have written about Travis Vick before, but tonight on MySpace, one link led to another and I ended up listening to him again. I swear, there is something magical about this kid. If you get a chance, visit his MySpace profile at http://www.myspace.com/travisvickmusic and spend the $5.94 to download his Player Piano EP. I am listening to my copy right now. I swear, there is magic here. This is powerful, powerful art from a very young talent."
-Mojo
- Modesto Bee

"(Player Piano) creates a soundtrack for stretching out in a field of wildflowers on a warm spring day and letting the world pass you by. Vick ties the tracks together with his airy, atmospheric vocals and lyrics that are introspective and expressive." - The Record

Sufjan Stevens hasn't yet released a California installment in his States Project series, but Vick's debut EP, "Player Piano," tides us over nicely. The heartfelt set is part Stevens (wispy folk-pop), part Ferraby Lionheart (the LA baroque), and part Dirty Projectors (a reedy experimentalism).
- Editor's Review

Featured artist on "Today's Playlist"

"Names to note - The artists and in this set have mostly flown under the radar, but you wouldn't guess it to hear them. Each arrives on the scene fully formed, whether as a whispery Sufjan Stevens type (Travis Vick), a wistful Southern California bard (Tom Langford), or a down-home Brooklyn banjoist (Dawn Landes). Take note of these names." - Music.download.com

Travis Vick écrit des chansons parfaites. Abouties. Des mélodies fragiles et entêtantes. C'est un peu le Ben Lee de Manteca (Californie). Travis Vick a une bonne bouille et à peine 18 ans. Il n'a pas de contrat discographique mais a publié un premier ep épatant. Celui-ci est baptisé Player Piano. Il est disponible sur quelques plateformes de téléchargement légales. Sur Player Piano on retrouve notamment les formidables I'll be dead et Seamus Fruitridge. Si j'osais, je prédirais un avenir radieux à Travis Vick. A condition qu'un label le signe et le sorte de cette boutique.

Travis a une soeur, Taylor, qui fait aussi des choses intéressantes.

Pour suivre Travis Vick :
http://www.myspace.com/travisvickmusic
http://apps.facebook.com/ilike/artist/Travis+Vick
http://www.lastfm.fr/music/Travis+Vick

View the online blog: http://atticawebzine.blogspot.com/

31 juillet 2008

ENGLISH TRANSLATION:
Travis Vick is writing perfect songs. Sweet and lovely melodies. He's a little bite like the Ben Lee. Travis Vick is handsome and he's only 18 years old. He doesn't have any label, but his first ep is amazing. It’s called Player Piano and is available on itunes and stuff. You can hear the fabulous Ill be dead, or seamus fruitridge. I would say that travis vick has a fantastic future ahead of him, but only if a label put him out of his coffee shop (link to photo on myspace blog).

Travis has also a sister, Taylor (http://www.myspace.com/taylorcvick), who does interesting stuff. - Attica Webzine

Travis Vick écrit des chansons parfaites. Abouties. Des mélodies fragiles et entêtantes. C'est un peu le Ben Lee de Manteca (Californie). Travis Vick a une bonne bouille et à peine 18 ans. Il n'a pas de contrat discographique mais a publié un premier ep épatant. Celui-ci est baptisé Player Piano. Il est disponible sur quelques plateformes de téléchargement légales. Sur Player Piano on retrouve notamment les formidables I'll be dead et Seamus Fruitridge. Si j'osais, je prédirais un avenir radieux à Travis Vick. A condition qu'un label le signe et le sorte de cette boutique.

Travis a une soeur, Taylor, qui fait aussi des choses intéressantes.

Pour suivre Travis Vick :
http://www.myspace.com/travisvickmusic
http://apps.facebook.com/ilike/artist/Travis+Vick
http://www.lastfm.fr/music/Travis+Vick

View the online blog: http://atticawebzine.blogspot.com/

31 juillet 2008

ENGLISH TRANSLATION:
Travis Vick is writing perfect songs. Sweet and lovely melodies. He's a little bite like the Ben Lee. Travis Vick is handsome and he's only 18 years old. He doesn't have any label, but his first ep is amazing. It’s called Player Piano and is available on itunes and stuff. You can hear the fabulous Ill be dead, or seamus fruitridge. I would say that travis vick has a fantastic future ahead of him, but only if a label put him out of his coffee shop (link to photo on myspace blog).

Travis has also a sister, Taylor (http://www.myspace.com/taylorcvick), who does interesting stuff. - Attica Webzine

Travis Vick, 18 year old songwriter from Manteca, California just released his debut 5 song LP, Player Piano. It's a surprisingly mature album for anyone, let alone for an 18 year old newbie. Vick's voice is sandy and youthful in texture, but his enunciation and emotional expression give him an eerily seasoned vibe; kind of like if Nick Drake and Silverchair's Daniel Johns simultaneously impregnated Joanna Newsom and Joanna Newsom got pregnant with twins (one from each parent) and then one died in childbirth, causing both fathers to deny paternity, leaving the remaining child to live forever confused and saddened by the loss of his other half, the loneliness of his mother, and the distance of his talented, yet undetermined father.

The structure of Vick's songs is ambient and aimless, but somehow remain grounded in the bitter truth that comes only from growing up fast. However, a sense of humor is quite evident throughout the album. "Ripon Song" has the spunk of Rufus Wainwright, as well as the Southern languor. Other songs like "Seamus Fruitridge," are tragically earnest.

The songs could benefit from better production. The guitars come across as muddy. It almost sounds like the album was recorded in mono, which might be why. The use of instruments like ukelele, accordian and mandolin is charming, and I think that creative recording techniques could really aide in bringing out the quirkiness of these instruments as well as of Vick's style. Some creative percussion a la Iron and Wine would really work great on songs like "The Hedges."

The lyrics on this album are really quite stunning at times. The imagery of Vick's words is accentuated by his delivery. The comparisons I've already made certainly hold for now, but I think that Vick is a writer who will continue to hone his own sound until comparisons become inappropriate. All in all, this is a marvelous and unique debut for this young songwriter.

Posted by Rachel Antony-Levine
http://www.mycrazymusicblog.com/

- Music Blog

Travis Vick, 18 year old songwriter from Manteca, California just released his debut 5 song LP, Player Piano. It's a surprisingly mature album for anyone, let alone for an 18 year old newbie. Vick's voice is sandy and youthful in texture, but his enunciation and emotional expression give him an eerily seasoned vibe; kind of like if Nick Drake and Silverchair's Daniel Johns simultaneously impregnated Joanna Newsom and Joanna Newsom got pregnant with twins (one from each parent) and then one died in childbirth, causing both fathers to deny paternity, leaving the remaining child to live forever confused and saddened by the loss of his other half, the loneliness of his mother, and the distance of his talented, yet undetermined father.

The structure of Vick's songs is ambient and aimless, but somehow remain grounded in the bitter truth that comes only from growing up fast. However, a sense of humor is quite evident throughout the album. "Ripon Song" has the spunk of Rufus Wainwright, as well as the Southern languor. Other songs like "Seamus Fruitridge," are tragically earnest.

The songs could benefit from better production. The guitars come across as muddy. It almost sounds like the album was recorded in mono, which might be why. The use of instruments like ukelele, accordian and mandolin is charming, and I think that creative recording techniques could really aide in bringing out the quirkiness of these instruments as well as of Vick's style. Some creative percussion a la Iron and Wine would really work great on songs like "The Hedges."

The lyrics on this album are really quite stunning at times. The imagery of Vick's words is accentuated by his delivery. The comparisons I've already made certainly hold for now, but I think that Vick is a writer who will continue to hone his own sound until comparisons become inappropriate. All in all, this is a marvelous and unique debut for this young songwriter.

Posted by Rachel Antony-Levine
http://www.mycrazymusicblog.com/

- Music Blog

Show review: Quiet@Tokyo Garden 8/21/08Submitted by Famous Whitewater on Fri, 08/22/2008 - 09:42.Quiet! w/ Malcolm Soda, Travis Vick, David Dondero and Wheels of Fortune

The setup: Quiet! is a series of acoustic singer-songwriter showcases hosted every now and again (there might be some kinda timeline, I don't know) by Rademacher frontman Malcolm Sosa (himself an acoustic singer/songerwriter type)at everyone's favorite hipster-hole-in-the-wall Tokyo Garden.

The night: I only stayed long enough to see Travis Vick, Wheels of Fortune and the beginning of Malcom's set. Appologies to David, but I am an old man and it was late (ish) and I had to work in the morning.

Travis Vick has a great voice and writes awesome songs. It seems like something I should add to my collection (and I'm not interested much in new music). I'd buy an album and totally see him again.

Niilo Smed's Wheels of Fortune has this sort of Lou Reed thing to it. Minus the drug and cross-dressing references. He sings pretty songs that make you fall in love with living in the Central Valley.

Impressions: This is my new favorite showcase in town. A.) Because you're bound to hear some really great music, as was the case with Travis Vick last night (he drove down from Manteca). And B.) Because, for whatever reason, this style of music just suites Tokyo. It must have something to do the dymanics of the room, but the sound always seems amazing for these folksy indie-rock types shows.

Comments on site:
quiet
Submitted by edluv on Fri, 08/22/2008 - 11:04
you're right, travis vick was amazing. totally one of those guys i had to buy his album as soon as possible, which was right after his set. great songs, passion, and some seriously good guitar playing.


http://www.fresnofamous.com/content/show-review-quiettokyo-garden-82108
- Fresno Bee

Show review: Quiet@Tokyo Garden 8/21/08Submitted by Famous Whitewater on Fri, 08/22/2008 - 09:42.Quiet! w/ Malcolm Soda, Travis Vick, David Dondero and Wheels of Fortune

The setup: Quiet! is a series of acoustic singer-songwriter showcases hosted every now and again (there might be some kinda timeline, I don't know) by Rademacher frontman Malcolm Sosa (himself an acoustic singer/songerwriter type)at everyone's favorite hipster-hole-in-the-wall Tokyo Garden.

The night: I only stayed long enough to see Travis Vick, Wheels of Fortune and the beginning of Malcom's set. Appologies to David, but I am an old man and it was late (ish) and I had to work in the morning.

Travis Vick has a great voice and writes awesome songs. It seems like something I should add to my collection (and I'm not interested much in new music). I'd buy an album and totally see him again.

Niilo Smed's Wheels of Fortune has this sort of Lou Reed thing to it. Minus the drug and cross-dressing references. He sings pretty songs that make you fall in love with living in the Central Valley.

Impressions: This is my new favorite showcase in town. A.) Because you're bound to hear some really great music, as was the case with Travis Vick last night (he drove down from Manteca). And B.) Because, for whatever reason, this style of music just suites Tokyo. It must have something to do the dymanics of the room, but the sound always seems amazing for these folksy indie-rock types shows.

Comments on site:
quiet
Submitted by edluv on Fri, 08/22/2008 - 11:04
you're right, travis vick was amazing. totally one of those guys i had to buy his album as soon as possible, which was right after his set. great songs, passion, and some seriously good guitar playing.


http://www.fresnofamous.com/content/show-review-quiettokyo-garden-82108
- Fresno Bee

Friday, August 22, 2008
quiet show review
so, i was excited to see malcom sosa and david dondero play last night. i knew they would both be enjoyable, and neither disappointed. in fact, dondero played over an hour, joked with the audience, told stories about the songs, and was great on stage.

as good as these gents were, the show was stolen by travis vick. he went on first, hailing from manteca, ca. i was really impressed by the emotion that came through his songs. they were well written, funny at times, sad at others, and were all well crafted art. another thing about vick was that he was a tremendous guitar player. many singer/song writers aren't that great at playing their instrument. they may be good writers, or singers, but many are just functional guitar players. or, maybe they're great guitarists and marginal singers or writers. not travis vick. he brings the whole package. he had some serious chops on the guitar but it wasn't like he played to show off. he just played that well so that the songs would be musically layered as the lyrics were.

i wonder if manteca knows what they've got in travis vick? i also wonder when he'll be playing in fresno again? - Blog

Friday, August 22, 2008
quiet show review
so, i was excited to see malcom sosa and david dondero play last night. i knew they would both be enjoyable, and neither disappointed. in fact, dondero played over an hour, joked with the audience, told stories about the songs, and was great on stage.

as good as these gents were, the show was stolen by travis vick. he went on first, hailing from manteca, ca. i was really impressed by the emotion that came through his songs. they were well written, funny at times, sad at others, and were all well crafted art. another thing about vick was that he was a tremendous guitar player. many singer/song writers aren't that great at playing their instrument. they may be good writers, or singers, but many are just functional guitar players. or, maybe they're great guitarists and marginal singers or writers. not travis vick. he brings the whole package. he had some serious chops on the guitar but it wasn't like he played to show off. he just played that well so that the songs would be musically layered as the lyrics were.

i wonder if manteca knows what they've got in travis vick? i also wonder when he'll be playing in fresno again? - Blog