Travis at The Ritz 28th September 2008

After splitting from their record label, Travis announce a 13-date UK tour to celebrate the forthcoming release of their latest album, Ode to J Smith.

With a reputed one in eight households owning a copy of their 1999 album The Man Who, Travis were once the kings of accessible indie. They have twice won Album of the Year as well as recognition at both the Brit Awards and the Ivor Novellos, while singles such as Why Does It Always Rain On Me, Sing, and Flowers In The Window are still some of the best-loved tunes of the turn of the century.

However, Travis haven't had it easy. As they revelled in the huge success of their 2001 album The Invisible Band, drummer Neil Primrose broke his neck in a diving accident. Though Primrose narrowly escaped fatal or irreversible injuries, the accident meant the band cancelling many tour and festival dates and work on their next album was put on hold. By the time Travis returned with 12 Memories, they had been overtaken by Coldplay - who credit Travis as one of their major influences - and this and their 2006 album The Boy With No Name never quite attained the same level of chart success.

Their latest release, Ode to J Smith, looks set to change that with the single J Smith taking the number one spot in the indie download charts. The album sees Travis renew their relationship with producer Nigel Godrich (Radiohead, REM, Beck), who was a key influence on their earlier and most successful albums, while dropping their old record label and striking out on their own label, Red Telephone Box.