Album Notes

Sophia Travis began writing music in the 90’s with encouragement from bandmates in the group Lola, which featured Gretchen Holtz (the Smears), Freda Love (Blake Babies), Janas Hoyt (Mary Janes), Kathy Kolata (Vulgar Boatmen) and Sophia. The break-up of Lola left Sophia with material to record. For Music for Picnics, an escapist’s world of sound was created at Queensize Studios by Vess Ruhtenberg and the then line-up of The Pieces which included Vess, LonPaul Ellrich, and Heidi Gluck. French harpsichord tracks were recorded at Sophia’s 1850’s farmhouse with LonPaul magically creating drum tracks with found objects (Crush II). The album has been deeply appreciated locally, in Bloomington, Indiana, and a small batch of CDs remains to finally adventure beyond Indiana. Because the music defies description in some ways, it has been delightfully surprising to learn of to whom it appeals…and which songs become favorites…so far it has never been predictable but, amusingly, reveals more about listening. This album is not mastered which was a choice made by Sophia to preserve the immediacy of exactly what was created by Vess: an intricate, miniature architecture of the odd little thoughts, wispy ideas sheepishly transported from Bloomington to Indianapolis on random Wednesdays every few months.

Why picnics? Think of Manet’s Lunch on the Grass…an element of protest. Sophia’s dear friend Gretchen once remarked, “you always sing about little morsels…” (which she meant quite literally). While the music is at first fragile sounding, therein is a little bite.

Sophia considers her favorite show as opening for Smog (Bill Callahan) and, close by, opening for Andrew Bird (when the audience was small and shy). Playing in a variety of concerts at a local historic theater, the Buskirk-Chumley (Hoagy Carmichael), has also been a cherished opportunity for the chance to opt for a grand piano for accompaniment.

Are you curious about Sophia’s current work? Sophia is thrilled to be a backing musician for John Dehner and The Enthusiasts these days, playing both organ and accordion. Until recently, she frequently played for The Vulgar Boatmen over the course of six years. She never tires of her passion for vintage-inspired small ensemble work and plays instrumental music with her trio Mitten (featuring Catherine Hawkes and Gretchen Holtz-Nall). Tango music, both classic and Nuevo, keep her inspired as does, at another end of the musical spectrum, playing accordion for friend Andy Ruff’s honky-tonk band, the Dew Daddies!