Lyons-based musician Travis McNamara joined Ginger Perry for KGNU’s Morning Sound Alternative for a live in-studio session ahead of upcoming performances at E-Town Hall and Soundpost Sessions in Longmont. He discussed his solo album Moon Calendar, a pandemic-era project where he recorded and performed all 17 instruments himself, as well as his songwriting process and background with Trout Steak Revival.
McNamara also performed several songs, including material from his solo work and a Trout Steak Revival-era composition inspired by his early time in Colorado. He shared details about his work supporting emerging bands through his organization Art House, which helps artists with fundraising and album production, as well as his upcoming collaboration with fiddler Kathleen Parks of Twisted Pine. (Air Date 5/12/26)
Listen to the studio session here:
Transcript:
Ginger Perry:
We have somebody in the studio who’s going to play a couple songs and is doing a concert at E-Town next Saturday. This is Travis McNamara. He lives in Lyons and has a couple shows coming up, including Soundpost Sessions in Longmont. Good morning, Travis.
Travis McNamara:
Good morning, Ginger. Thanks for having me here. I appreciate it.
Ginger Perry:
I listened to your music and I’m excited to have you play live. You also shared some exciting personal news—you and your partner are expecting a baby in September.
Travis McNamara:
We caught the bug. We’re pretty happy about it.
Ginger Perry:
Let’s start with a song. What would you like to play?
“So Far Gone”
Travis McNamara:
This is from my solo record Moon Calendar. I always wanted to make an album where I played all the instruments myself—this ended up being 17 instruments. It was a pandemic project, and the name came from a songwriting group in Denver that met on full moons.
The song came from a songwriting session where I was late and had to finish something quickly, which gave it a kind of frenetic energy.
Performed song.
Ginger Perry:
You play a mean banjo there—and 16 other instruments.
Travis McNamara:
Yeah, I couldn’t bring them all in today.
Ginger Perry:
What instruments will you be playing at gigs?
Travis McNamara:
Mostly banjo and guitar, and sometimes piano when I can manage it.
Ginger Perry:
You’ve got a concert at E-Town Hall next Saturday and also Soundpost Sessions in Longmont with Queso Raw. Soundpost Sessions is ending its season soon—tell us about it.
Travis McNamara:
It’s a listening room series in Longmont at the Times Collaborative building. It features folk and singer-songwriter acts, pairing local and touring musicians. It’s a really special spot.
Ginger Perry:
You were in Trout Steak Revival for 15 years and won the Telluride band competition in 2014, and now you’ve released a solo album where you played everything yourself. You also help bands as a guide through your company, Art House.
Travis McNamara:
I help mid-stage bands with fundraising and recording their next records. We’ve helped bands raise over a million dollars on Kickstarter, and I also produce albums now. It’s about helping bands and fans connect through great records.
“Borderline”
Travis McNamara:
This is a new song inspired by moving to Lyons.
Performed song.
Ginger Perry:
You write all your songs?
Travis McNamara:
Yes, I do.
Ginger Perry:
You’ve got shows Saturday at E-Town Hall and Thursday at Soundpost Sessions in Longmont.
Travis McNamara:
Yes, and I’ve gotten to play E-Town before through a project I helped fundraise for. It’s a beautiful venue.
“Colorado River Deep” (Trout Steak Revival song)
Travis McNamara:
I wrote this after moving to Colorado and falling in love with the state.
Performed song.
Ginger Perry:
That was beautiful. I love Colorado too.
Travis McNamara:
Thank you very much.
Ginger Perry:
You can hear Travis Saturday night at E-Town Hall and Thursday at Soundpost Sessions in Longmont, performing with Kathleen Parks of Twisted Pine.
Travis McNamara:
She’s an incredible fiddle player and songwriter.
Ginger Perry:
Thanks for coming in, Travis.
