Crash And Burn
21 July 2010
Awoke at 5.30am and packed my last little bits before the car came at 6. Got to airport at 6.30. We were flying Jet Blue. They are a great airline. Always really fast at checkin and all their staff are always easy going. I met Jason, my tour manager at gate 14 and we boarded at 7.45. Slept the entire flight, waking as we descended into SanFranciso. As I write, I am back stage. Jason is settling up with the venue. I never see this. It’s so unromantic. Where’s the mystique?? Tonights show was ok. I couldn’t really hear what I was singing so the new songs were hard to get my voice around. The show was nice though. So good to be on stage again. Strange to be without Travis. Very naked. I kind of like the scary feeling. It’s going to be a great tour but my neighbours are really pushing it with their loud music.
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Hi Fran,
I’m so excited for your new record.
I’m a journalist from Buenos Aires and I would love to interview you for my website (indiehearts.com.ar).I’ve been trying to figure out who does your press but I had no luck so far.
Hope to hear from you soon,
Jude
is there a chance that you can post your setlist?
Fran siad ” yeah it was 20, then Writing To Reach You, then a new song Anything, then another new song called FLy In The Ointment, then Driftwood, the a new song called In The morning, Then I think As It COmes, ummm, then A new song called Buttercups. The order is worng I thing. I’ll check that tomorrow.”
Lol! Loved the video. And I feel quite related to your neighbours tonight, as it’s 2am and I’m in the mood for singing, haha. I don’t think my neighbours would be as understanding as you are, though.
I’m the most amateur singer out there, but I hate it when I can’t hear what I’m singing, makes me feel exposed and I freak out. You’re an amazing singer, so I’m sure it all turned out perfect and that the following shows will be even more awesome. How are Keane fans treating you? Did they like the new songs?
Anyway, thanks for the blog entry. Makes me feel not so far away from all the action.
Love from Argentina. x
hi fran,im glad that the start of the tour its going very well…good luck,naked man jaja….that is so funny.bye fran.
I bet it was great; can’t wait to hear it tomorrow night!
Hahaha, is that Tom? I wish I was going to the show tomorrow to see you all again, but I haven’t got tickets.
Best of luck, and I hope you have a good time tomorrow despite the noisy neighbors right now! 
Fran said “yes… it is. It was really nice. They were jamming for ages. We never had a jam room back stage. Takes note.”
That sucks about your neighbors. Hopefully they’ll quite down by the time u have to go to sleep. Good luck on the tour
I would like to see you naked in Mexico City
. Glad you enjoyed your first show, I’m sure it’s gonna get better and better 
.
.
Oh I know what it’s like to have neighbours liked that, you just want to punch them in the head, argh! As time goes by you just learn to be pacient, and somehow it develops your ability to concentrate… trust me!
Btw, I’m so liking these post/updates
Hi Fran,
My wife and I just got back from the concert in Oakland. We have been big Travis fans for a long time, and have seen you several times (every time you’ve been to the Western US!) and it was cool seeing you do your own thing tonight. Your new material is excellent, and we are looking forward to when your new album comes out. And there’s no need to be nervous! I’m sure it’s got to be strange to be on stage alone after so many years with the band, but your voice still carries the day. We hope you have a great rest of the tour, and we look forward to the next time you come back around.
All the best,
Matt and Mirna Lessinger
Fran Says “Thanks so much.”
Thanks for the update Fran. Did you stick around and watch Keane from the sidelines or scoot off to be fresh for the next gig, haha? xx
Ha ha! You DO have a beard!! Actually, it suits you, unlike others I had in mind. In fact, you really remind me of our Amish carpenter, but his beard is so long he stores his pen in it.
Whoops, I really got off topic! Erm…first night’s the hardest, it will all be cake from here on! Think of all the new neural pathways you’re building!
Fran says ” I started to giggle at Amish carpenter.”
lol! How was the Malibu? Welcome to American gas mileage, at least it’s American gas prices
Singing at the top of their lungs at 2am? I think you need to practice U16 Girls at 5:30 am just for them
Hi Fran,
I know you are on holiday at the moment but I wondered if you or the band as a whole would be interested in performing at The Tall Ships Races event in Greenock in July 2011 (9th – 12th July ’11). It’s an international event, promoting the development of young people thorugh sail training, that takes place every year going to different countries. this is the 1st time its been in Scotland since 1999. It’s free for the public to attend and would be superb to have you as the headline band for one of the days.
I’m the Entertainment Manager set with the task of organising the entertainment programme so would be great if you could get in touch on the email provided.
many thanks,
Kim
You sounded fine, don’t be so hard on yourself (haha…I know, not an easy thing to do). Your videos were great…assuming that was Tom singing in the first video, eh?
What are you using to record? It’s pretty high quality video.
The one thing about you Fran that I think not every performer has is your vulnerability on stage. You’ve written these songs and they’re all very personal to you…there’s a memory, a feeling, an experience tied to every one of your songs and you can really see that when you perform. So just know that comes through even if you feel like technically/vocally you’re not as happy with it. I enjoyed seeing you and I only wish I could see you guys later into the tour. San Francisco always seems to be the first place people go for some reason.
Best of luck on the rest of the tour and I hope you nail that piano part on the last show!
Hey, you survived the first solo performance! Were Keane fans all nice and well-behaved?
I’m sorry about the noisy neighbours… how disrespectful! Haha, the look on your face is hilarious.
Now seriously, it’s weird to see you without the rest of Travis… though I can imagine the rush. Enjoy all the moments on stage and the audience will join you.
I’m glad you are letting us be a part of this journey in spite of the distance, hopefully it will bring you to South America soon.
Keep rockin’!
Take me to the Jet Blue you lads were in…!
xD
wanna be with you just only one second.
Hey Fran! are you planning to come to Mexico this year? or maybe next? it would be so great! you have no idea, Í’m a huge fan of Travis, and I have always wanted to ask you… what’s your favorite song?
Thanks for posting! Can’t wait to hear the new songs. See you soon!
Fran, Thank you always for everything. Terrific show. We came for you but Keane is always an added bonus. Good luck on the rest of the tour and again thank you for coming to America. We love you.
PS: Radio in America sucks…they played Travis for maybe two seconds in 1995 but since then nothing. Please don’t ever pay radio any visit or attention, as they dont deserve you.
Matt
Hey Fran,
My wife and I will be seeing you (and Keane) at the Greek Theatre tonight. We’ve seen you (with Travis)at the House of Blues in Anaheim and you and Andy at the Largo. I bought the CD for the latter on the day it came out. I believe it was recorded at the Largo. Not sure though if it was the one we saw. Looking forward to tonight’s concert and hearing your new songs.
Thanks for the updates Fran:) Can’t wait to see you Friday in Las Vegas!
lol With all due respect but in her first video seems
a vagabond of the square of my city
Fran, you were more than just “ok” last night. Maybe you couldn’t hear yourself, but you sounded fantastic as usual and the new songs sound wonderful! Especially “In the Morning”, it’s a cracker! Really looking forward to the new album. Did that picture you took of us come out? Would love to see it again! xx
Loved the Youtube videos. Can you please do that for the whole tour? I’ve seen Travis more times than I should admit (13, according to Travisonline.com!), and I’m really excited to see you tonight at the Greek Theatre in LA! Will you be hanging out in the venue to meet people after your set?
All the best with this tour! I’ll wait until you book some dates in Europe to enjoy your single shows. I know they will be amazing!
Cheers!
Que pasara con Travis?
What will happen to Travis?
Liking the hat Fran! Where did you get it from??
Tom
Fran, you’re totally awesome. I just realized recently it’s been ten years since I heard Travis record for the first time. It feels as if you were a good friend of mine. It kinda calms me down to see how you are. I guess that’s how it usually is between fans and bands: they like each other even though they never met face to face. And it’s perfectly fine
Thanks for publishing those posts. Have a great time in US.
Heard some clips on Youtube and the new songs sound fantastic, Love the vids and really cant wait for the album
I’m now sitting listening to lots of Travis b-sides 
Enjoy the rest of the tour and best of luck with the album 
Fran, you are the man! I just got back home from the Greek Theater Gig, & it was such a breathe of fresh air to see you! I have listened now to Travis for the past ten years & brought your music with me on my travels all over the globe from London to Lebanon and it kept me good company, so I’m very appreciative and enthused about your opening tonight! I don’t typically feel that larger venues give that connected intimate feeling between the performer and audience, but you were so funny and interpersonal about the inspirations for your songs, so it was nice to have that laugh and moment of connection before the venue got filled and the energy changed for me. Please come back and perform again in LA, would love to hear more of your material and experience more laughter.
Happy Huggles!
:):)
-Nebby(I was in Red Travis shirt behind the cookie monster couple giving you the ‘metal horns’ with my hand
Fran Says ” Thanks for them horns”
How I miss living in the Bay Area, CA. Wish I would have been able to go to your Oakland show.
Fran, you need to come and perform at the MACC (Maui Arts and Cultural Center) in Maui, Hawaii
Fran, just heard “Buttercups” on Spin.com. Incredible…my heart is racing. So happy you’re coming to Chicago next week.
The show was better than ok; it was excellent!! I have to be honest, I haven’t heard of your band before, but I am now a fan of both Travis and your solo work. I am anxiously awaiting your debut CD. I love the song “As it comes”, among many others
I think this is one of your solo songs, right? Was Oakland the first place you played this song?
to answer hugo
I “stole” the set list from Oakland show which franny “corrected” for me afterwards and it reads:
20
writing to reach
fly in the ointment
driftwood
in the morning
as it comes
buttercups
rocking chair
I am pretty sure this is correct. correct me if I am wrong franny
it was an amazing show
love the new songs!
Fran, you are too hard on yourself! The show was so much better than “ok”!!! It was awesome!! Didn’t you hear the fantastic response you got from the Oakland audience? They loved you!!! You are so friendly, nice and down-to-earth, it made it seem like we were there watching a friend!! Can’t wait for your album in October, your new songs are beautiful! It was so great to meet you after the show!! (Love the pic of you in my glasses!!!! LOL) Come back to San Fran soon!!!
Hi Fran,I’m sorry that you couldn’t hear your own voice. I went to the show in oakland, your voice was awesome
!!! Good luck with the rest of the tour!
You can count me in for a Digg. Thanks for posting this on your web site!