Friday Question Time
15 January 2010
Sir Robin- “Good afternoon. I am Sir Robin Day and sitting beside me is the singer songwriter Francis Healy.”
Fran- “Hello Robin. You’re looking pretty rough…”
Sir Robin” Ahem… Hailing from Scotland, he now lives in Berlin with his wife and son. Having been the singer and main songwriter in the UK band Travis, he has now decided he wants all the glory for himself and … ”
Fran- “Just cause you’re wearing glasses doesn’t mean you can’t get a slap…”
Sir Robin- “You started it, smallhead…”
Fran- “Shut it, fathead”
GOD- “Gentlemen, please. There are people in over 82 countries who have paid good money for this. All this quibbling looks a bit shit”
Sir Robin- “He’s right you know… He’s always bloody right”
Fran- “Paid? This is free…”
GOD- “Eh? Free? I’m off…” (sound of sandles walking away)
Sir Robin- “Ok, before I start drinking heavily we should get going with these 10 questions”
Fran- “Ok.”
Sir Robin- “Question 1 comes from DebbieDeebee and she asks …On Travisonline you’ve always played down the idea of a solo album. Why the change of heart? It came as a surprise to many fans.”
Fran- ” It was a surprise for me too. Thoughts of doing anything other that Travis had never come into my head. I get asked so many times since the beginning of Travis about doing a solo record but I wasn’t feeling it. I’m pretty instinctual about stuff and tend to follow my heart so when, last April, the thought of doing something other than Travis popped up, I just went with it.”
Sir Robin “That was a very moving answer”
Fran “Watchit!”
Sir Robin “Question 2 comes from elodiegrossi. She asks… Are you playing every instrument on this album? (piano, guitar obviously, drums, errrr voice…?? 
Fran – “I play every instrument apart from bass on some songs ( Tony Shannahan- Patti Smith, Sam Dixon- Sia, and Paul McCartney-The Beatles 
and Bjoern Werra played bass) Violin (Tom from Noah and The Whale) Cello (frederique labbow) umm… I play all the drums and drum machine on the record. There is some programming by Emery too. Emmm… I think that covers it.”
Sir Robin- “Who made the tea?”
Fran “I did…”
Sir Robin “Diiid you???”
Fran “Nora did.”
Sir Robin- “Ana Smith would like to know…What happened with writing for the next Travis record during the acoustic tour? Did you change ur mind or r the plans still on?”
Fran- ” It became apparent, after a week on the Chronological Acoustical Journey Through The Travis Back Catalogue, that after we finished the show, usually at 1 or 1.30am and then after food, it would be about 2.30am and we were totally knackered. I think had we not decided to meet everyone after the show, we might have had more time but I wouldn’t have changed that. It was very special to meet everyone. We never had that opportunity before.”
Sir Robin- “So you’re saying it’s everyone who waited behind after the show who are to blame for you not delivering on your promise”
Fran- “Yes”
Sir Robin- “That’s good enough for me… Next question… JulyNoSoucy wondered to what extent solo album means that Travis’ other members were not involved? Did you ask them their views or cut off from them
Fran ” The band have not heard the record or any songs from the record. They’ll hear it soon though. We spend our whole lives together and when we come off the road we go our separate ways. When you’re in a band at the start, you do everything as a group but as you get older and your map changes with friends, girlfriends, then wives and then kids, there needs to be a section of the pie chart which is your own. The solo record falls into this section. In saying that, I had asked Andy to come and help me at the early stages but then decided it should be totally solo. Andy understood. In saying that too, I asked him if he would play on Holiday. He owned the guitar line on it so it was only right. So there is a guest appearance by Andy Dunlop.
Robin- “zzzz…zzzzz…what eh? Bombs? Giant hands!!!..”
Fran- “Wake up old man!”
Robin- “Sorry. Next! Nana-Kim wishes to know if you have any plans to play Glastonbury or T in the Park in 2010.
Fran- “There are no plans for any festivals just yet. In fact there are no tour plans just yet. This will all be coming soon. I will definitely be touring Wreckorder though.”
Robin “Thankyou Francis. AdamJardy BSB is concerned about Noel. He asks have you spoken to Noel Gallagher since the split? If so, how is he?
Fran- “I met Liam at the Oasis concert in Wembley. He kissed me square on the lips and said “I fookin love you”. Liam is a doll. As for Noel, I have not heard from Noel for years. I’m sure they’ll return. The solo projects are a perfect digestive before the inevitable Oasis reunion. But I will say that my solo project will definitely be the best solo project.
Sir Robin- “Who Are Oasis? Have I missed something? Question 6 comes from Mita Kermit. Do u think ur big name as Travis frontman will help to promote ur solo album?.i think it works,just like many musician did.
Fran- ” I would hate to be a new band coming through at the moment so It’s nice to have already been introduced to people. However I have no idea how Wreckorder will be viewed. So far, folks have been open to the idea of this solo excursion. But it’s all down to the songs. If it’s a pile of shit then it will stink and if it stinks then I would like it to sink without trace. I think it doesn’t stink though. I have played it to some people now and the reaction has been very exciting”
Sir Robin- ” In what way exciting”
Fran- “Like that feeling in your belly when you’re wee and the car you’re in drives over a small hill fast”
Sir Robin – “I get that from climbing ropes…”
Fran “Hmmm…”
Sir Robin- ” Kimmouse asks if becoming vegetarian given you a different outlook on health, animals, people, the world?”
Fran- ” I started thinking more about health when I stopped smoking 5 years ago. It allowed me to exercise (running) I even went to a gym for a year 3 times a week and got pretty buff. The personal trainer girl liked big thighs and without realsing it mine got quite out of control, like my trousers wouldn’t fit so well but I digress, ummm… I started eating organic food around this time too. The vegetarian move is too new to say how it is making me feel. I need to cut down on dairy because it’s not so good for you… I think Paul is right with his thoughts about global warming and the meat industry. And also animals are treated really badly. I used to be a KFC addict until I saw a programme on how chickens are treated in the poultry industry. It’s kind of easy these days to be veggie. It was harder in the 70′s and 80′s…
Sir Robin- “No Frois Gras for you then”
Fran “That shit is evil. Poor little ducks.”
Sir Robin “Delicious. Anyways 2 questions left… umm you over there… What’s you’re name?”
Human- “Sam Holden, sir”
Sir Robin- “Well???”
Sam Holden- “Coke or Pepsi?”
Fran- “Coke. Pepsi is bad copy.”
Sir Robin- “Woahhh… ok, moving along… Last Question… Niall McLoughlin wanted to know if you had a favourite album of the 00′s
Fran- “Funeral by Arcade Fire. I was hypnotised by this record. Even more by the band themselves. I heard the record at my friends house and checked where they were playing and they happened to be playing their first UK show the next night. ”It was very impressive” They restroed my faith in music, which had dwindled in the years prior. Maybe it’s getting older, or being in the business or maybe it takes more to impress or wake one from their 30′s but after hearing and seeing this band, I felt all was not lost.
Sir Robin “I thought their first EP with the original version of No Cars Go was by far the greatest thing they’ve done, cleverly calling it ‘Burn This CD’… Rad. Ok Folks. That’s all from this weeks Friday Question Time. If your question wasn’t answered then don’t fret. It maybe answered next Friday when we return for another… Friday Question Time.
Fran “What about the winner for the best answer question?
Sir Robbin “That goes to Sam Holden for his deceptively simple question about soft drinks. He wins this. Just blow it up and print it out for a cool bedroom poster. Enjoy the real thing Sam.
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aarrgghhh i’m getting mad in waiting..Sir Robin pleaseeee..
Ohhh… it will be fun.
So, is this going to be your Friday ritual?
*bites her nails*
this would be a lot of work …
Sitting, awaiting and wishing to be sorted.
I’m looking forward to seeing some questions being answered.
After the initial surprise Fran, I’m now
pretty excited for the album.
You should make sure all of the 82
countries get the album. At least Serbia.
Has Sir Robin’s mouth been taped shut? Poor fella. Atleast he still has a fetching bow tie.
Fran Says “His mouth is open”
Fran, your head is a lovely size.
I want whatever drugs you are on Frannie!
You are quite insane, I like it.
ah, good to know. Thanks Fran. Wouldn’t want the old man to pass out on us.
hey thanks for the answer!
Thanks very much Fran fro answering, very interesting answers to get more familiar with the process of this new experience.
Hey Elodie and Debbie!!!!! lol, we nicely represented French fans, good job girls ;-p
Julie (aka JulyNoSoucy)
Soooo, Andy makes an appearance, but not the other guys from Travis, hope they’re not too miffed with you.
I’m really looking forward to this album (Wreckorder), in the mean time I’m listening to the old Travis tracks and the new Vampire Weekend album. I hope the plans of recording a Travis album in Nashville this year are not all forgotten.
Looking forward to the next session with Sir Robin. And seeing you on Wreckoder tour in Helsinki… ;^)
That was so fun! Thanks for the answers, smallhead.
Sir Robins is Fantomas?
Gut instinct always works out well – thanks for the insight into what’s happening in that head of yours and BTW, the “break” seems to be making you very happy and relaxed. Long may it continue
Fran….That Question about festivals is mine(maybe)?
I looked up about questions to you on twitter and I think that was my Q!
If it was correct,My name is Nana….;_;
Thank you Fran! This was insightful and very amusing to read.
Looking forward to next week’s installation!
This Q/A were great! Hopefully we will have more of this Fridays, because my questions were not here this time, but I had fun reading every answer and Sir Robin lines of course.
Thanks Fran! that was lots of fun!
Poor Sam!
of course the best album of the decade was Canadian! the best things are.
thanks Fran. That was fun.
Hey Fran! This has been a really cool and much anticipated exchange, thanks! I appreciate all the answers but mine in particular, that question had been on my mind for a while. Also, I had a few laughs, be careful with the multiple personalities or they’ll take over
PS: 82 countries? How many people from Uruguay have visited? Now, I’m curious…
Aaah! This was great! So much fun! It’s so cool that this will be done again next Friday
. There were some good questions! Thank you for your answers and thanks to Sir Robin for hosting the whole thing. And I’m glad Debbie’s new Twitter account was worth it, 
.
what a great q/a! can’t wait for next friday’s
Hi Fran, Thank you so much for everything you do. I am an unemployed music lover, and was lucky enough to win tickets to the show with you and Andy, in Philly a few months ago. If I did not win them, I would not have been able to go! I am so glad I did go. It was something I needed. I brought my sister, who never heard you guys before. She has very different taste then myself, and she loved it also. We met you after, and you thought you had met her before. I am super excited to hear the new album, and hopefully I will have a job by then, so I can afford it
. Thank you for putting smiles on my face, during a hard time. Through your music and your blog. I love reading it.
I’m so sad….You were wrong twice about my name. ;_;
and I like Sir Robin! XD
Anyway….Thank you so much for your answer!
I hope I can see you on Wreckoder tour or festivals(especially when I go to UK!).
FH said ” Oops, fixed now”
Haha!
Haha that was awesome Fran. Lots of effort put in to this – I’ll be interested to see if it dwindles as the weeks go on lol.
Fran, this is brilliant. What a great opening, you could feel the tension between you, him and Himself. Genius. x
Thank you for taking time to answer so many questions. It was so much fun to read – witty, brilliant and insightful all at the same time.
Hahaha, “who make the tea?” Thanks for taking time to do this for us!!!
All very exciting!
Great to see Fran doing a solo project…and acquiring the services of Sir R. Day is a major scoop…(although not as impressive as securing the services of Sir P. McCartney for the album!)
I’ll be thinking up an insightful question for future Friday Question Times….
I’ve been following Travis for awhile and have fallen in love with the music after seeing you all live. I wanted to let you know that the way that you’ve been so open about your process, as well as allowing fans to connect with you has deepened how much we all appreciate what you do. Thank you for all that you do and I’m looking forward to hearing the new music.
Haha it’s like you’ve finally grown up Fran! I remember when Travis first came along. I had to have been about…6 or 7 years old! How I looked up to you and my dreams fizzled and died when I learned that I had no talent with a guitar.
And now…you’ve gone and done something all by yourself! Fully matured as a musician, eh? Now hurry up and release the record! You’ve got us all plenty excited for it.
Did he say “before” he starts drinking heavily? Hmmmmm….*looks disapprovingly over imaginary librarian glasses*
horay…he answers my question..
laughed a lot reading this.
Thank you, Fran!
hope this will be Friday ritual hehe
This was a great read. Thanks Fran for answering my question!
xx
Haha, you are crazy Fran!
Very funny guy, gotta love it!
It’s so good to see that you are really trying to communicate with fans.
If I learn any “inappropriate” word
You’re the one and only. It was worth reading it, I needed dictionary to understand some of the words though
it’s all your fault! I’m looking forward to reading the next one.
RE: Fran- “There are no plans for any festivals just yet. In fact there are no tour plans just yet. This will all be coming soon. I will definitely be touring Wreckorder though.”
At the risk of being scolded for not asking this on Twitter, but, Q. I know it’s very early right now but do you plan to bring the tour to the US and Canada? I know we were kinda spolied in 2009 but one can hope……( not that i’m selfish or anything ) !!!!!!!
FH said “There are no tour plans just yet”
visiting this site always makes me smile ;D
hope to see travis or wreckorder live in slovakia soon..
..wouldnt recommend you to kiss guys square on the lips over here though
Funnnnny stuff! Good questions and clever answers
.
BTW, I still get that feeling in my belly and I’m not that wee
Looking forward to next… Friday Question Time!
Fran. It seems like some technical problem is on this site. I tried to leave a reply and I clicked the ‘submit comment’ button but it didn’t work. I’m seeing the message “Your comment is awaiting moderation” all the time. what is the problem?
FH said “There is no problem. I moderate all the comments. You need to wait till I check them. Thank for your patients…”
Thanks Fran,
I wait with baited breath
And I’m guessing you’ll use franhealy.com to announce……
This is a great site, thank you for connecting to us fans the way you do:)
Can’t wait!
Are you getting angry soon…?!!!
That was a really good read
Hopefully Mr Healy you could consider visiting Finland during your Wreckorder -tour…Been too long since you’ve been here alone or with Travis! So give us a treat and com heer!