Meet Travis Thompson

TRAVIS THOMPSON

Whether you have heard of Travis Thompson yet or not, chances are that you soon won’t be able to pass on him. The 22 year-old rapper from Seattle already got approval from artists that you already love including Macklemore and Logic. As he released his new EP «Runaways» at the end of February, we met with this fresh artist to get to know him better.

On The Move: For those who don’t know you yet, could you tell us how you started in music?

Travis Thompson: I’m a 22 year-old rapper and director from Seattle, Washington. I started making music when I was about 12-13. I grew up on the internet so I always had Youtube. I was always writing over beats on Youtube and eventually when I turned 16-17, I realized that I could actually be a rapper. I recorded little raps and then, I went to a real studio for the first time when I was 17 and from there somehow, we got here (laugh).

On The Move: We saw you collaborating with Macklemore on «Corner Store» taken from his 2017 album «Gemini». How did this collaboration happen?

Travis Thompson: The scene in Seattle is not as big as the scene in other cities, so if you’re moving and you’re putting up videos and music in Seattle, that’s good because everyone kind of know each other. Eventually my producer Tyler Dopps, who made my entire «YouGood?» album, became Macklemore’s engineer so he was recording with him everyday. He was putting my music in his ear, just like showing him stuff, and one day he called me and asked me to come to the studio and then «Corner Store» happened, and the tour happened.

« I decided to go with Epic because they believe in us and they understand the vision we have »

On The Move: It was your first tour ever, were you nervous?

Travis Thompson: Before I was rapping, I was doing spoken poetry. I was doing poetry slams, open mics so doing poetry shows for nobody is a lot harder than doing a rap show for thousands people. Doing the big shows were easier because you have a big crowd, you got there, you turn up and then you have the energy from the people. When you do small shows you’re like «hey guys can you come forward please?» (laugh)

On The Move: You released your debut album «YouGood?» last year and your new EP «Runaways» last month. What do you feel is the biggest difference between those two projects?

Travis Thompson: When we made «YouGood?» I was in a much different place, I was fresh off tour, my headspace wasn’t the best, a lot of things were going on. Some weird things in my family, friends stuff like drugs and crime, big problems going on. It was a different time in my life and we were making the kind of music that reflected that. We were just hanging out at the house all day and making as many weird songs as we could (laugh). When it comes to the new EP, there are already three songs that have been out for a while, and three new songs. The whole label thing was happening and they wanted to make an EP so I was like «yes I can find a home project for those three songs». We recently came off my own headlining tour and I was in a much better space, the music is happier and more fun.

On The Move: You’re known for doing everything independently but you now recently signed to Epic Records. How is the transition going?

Travis Thompson: It’s only different because there’s more people on the team and it’s more paperwork (laugh). At the same time, the reason why I decided to go with Epic is because they believe in us and they understand the vision we have. Nothing has really changed much. For the EP I worked with the same producers that were there since day 1. We are working with the same people. So in a sense, it hasn’t changed much but things are busier and more people are involved and here to support. Now, I have publicists and a marketing team… it’s fun though. It’s all new but no one has ever asked me to change.

On The Move: Now that the EP is out, what’s next? Are you planning to go on tour?

Travis Thompson: So, we have a tour with Bryce Vine, and then I come back and I’ll be working on my debut album. I’m super excited as we have some songs that I am really excited about. It’s the first time that I’m having access to cool features and I’ll work with some producers I might have not had the chance to work with. The year is gonna be fun!

On The Move: So you have collaborations in the work?

Travis Thompson: Nothing that I can talk about for now but I got you.

On The Move: You released a music video each song of your latest project, when did you realize that you wanted visuals to play a huge role in your musical adventure?

Travis Thompson: I always understood the power of music videos. I love watching music videos and I’m a writer so I’ve always wanted to write films, movies and stuff but it wasn’t me and Dylan started making «Father Forgive Me» which was the first music video we made together. Just being able to be involved in acting things and also being behind the camera make me find my love for visuals. Also when people see my goofy looking ass doing shit, it draws attention. At the same time me and Dylan are film nerds. We like to talk about movies and make movies.

On The Move: What are your top 3 movies?

Travis Thompson: It’s hard! Forrest Gump, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and Next Friday.

« I always understood the power of music videos »

On The Move: Would you like to experience a career in film and TV in the future?

Travis Thompson: Yes, I’d love to make videos for other people, make films. I’d like to have a production company at the end of all this.

Travis Thompson’s debut album «YouGood?», released in May 2018

Travis Thompson’s latest EP «Runaways», released in February 2019

On The Move: What’s your writing process?

Travis Thompson: What we like to do is that we go to the studio and me and my friends smoke and have a couple of beers and talk. Because when you talk about life, you can figure out where you’re at. Then we start jamming. I make the hook at the studio but I like to take the beat and the hook home and write the verses by myself just so I can be away from people and be just as me as I can. Where there’s no one around me, there’s less pressure.

On The Move: If you could choose anyone in the world to have a collaboration with, who would it be?

Travis Thompson: I have to say Lil Wayne! Lil Wayne is my favorite rapper of all time, he made me want to rap. He is a big inspiration for everything we do.

INTERVIEW BY PAM CHARBIT PHOTOS BY NICOLE THOMAS