TRAVIS Collins, the #1 ARIA Country charting, multi-award-winning Australian singer/songwriter, is celebrating the release of his ninth studio album with a performance at Moonee Beach Hotel on Saturday 17 June.

The album debuts on Friday 16 June, called ‘Any Less Anymore’, through ABC Music.

On a nationwide tour he will swing through the Coffs Coast after playing Newcastle on the Friday night before his next stop, Brisbane, on 30 June.

The album features his radio airplay hits ‘Just The Way’, ‘One of Them Nights’ and the latest single and album title track, ’Any Less Anymore’.

Considered to be one of Australia’s finest country music artists with multiple Golden Guitar and CMC Award wins and #1 ARIA Country album debuts, Travis worked with Stuart Stuart (Shepard, The Veronicas, Lee Kernaghan), and collaborated with songwriters from around the globe including The Wolfe Brothers and Lindsay Ell to create this latest album.

Happy to be touring, Travis is looking forward to coming to the Mid North Coast.

“I love the Coffs Coast,” he told News Of The Area.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve played here, but I visit often.

“My favourite memory playing Coffs Coast was the Moonee Beach Tavern in 2015 with Adam Brand.

“It was sold out, loud, wild and the fans were up for the party.

“I’ve been itching to get back to this venue ever since,” he said.

Travis is always up for getting involved with the audience on performance night.

“I’m a pretty interactive artist; I don’t like to just stand there and sing my songs.

“I want to be really involved with the crowd, connecting with them.”

Beer gardens and big pub rooms are his favourite venues to play, he told NOTA.

“I want singing, standing, drinks raised up in the air, volume.

“That’s what I aim to bring to the Moonee audience.”

Playing a brand new setlist, Travis is including a number of new songs.

“It’s a brand-new show for me… so, I don’t want to give away too much.

“I will say though, it’s a fast and energetic start; by 20 minutes into the set, I’m trying to catch my breath.”

The songs on the new album all come from places of common human experience, mostly inspired during the pandemic period.

“Times like that make you look inward a lot, towards yourself, your relationships, your community.

“It got me focused on the real important things in life.

“That’s what inspired this album.

“My hope has always been that my audience will find bits of their own lives in my songs/stories… not just from the new stuff, I’ve always strived for that.”

Travis and the band are looking forward to sharing the new songs with the Moonee audience.

“We’re loving playing these new songs.

“I’m also looking forward to the audience getting to see our support act, Sara Berki.

“She’s a fairly new artist on the country music scene but making waves and I know everyone will enjoy her,” he said.

Taking time out from performing when he’s in the area, Travis said, “I’m a sucker for music stores when I’m on the road and Coffs is always a certain stop for that… so I’ll definitely head to Coffs Guitars and Rage Music whilst I’m around.

“Also, a bit of a random one but lunch at Coffs Yacht Club is a long-time favourite for my wife and me when in the area.”

Travis already has his mind set on what he’s ordering, too.

“Whole Snapper is the go there,” he said.

By Andrea FERRARI