Artist To Watch: Mavis Guitar

Travis Talbert has been releasing Mavis Guitar songs in one form or another since 2016. He plays what he calls “take off guitar,” and that is a rather self-aware and accurate description of his playing. Check out the tune “Potless Stoner” from the 2020 release Walk Like A Turtle for a prime example.

When not creating guitar soundscapes as Mavis Guitar, Travis plays in the rock ‘n roll band Frontier Folk Nebraska. Although the band is not nearly as active as it used to be, they still lay the claim of writing my absolute favorite rock song, “Buffalo Summer.”

2024 was a big year for Mavis Guitar as the full band line up consisting of FFN drummer Elijah Batson, Electric Citizen bassist Nick Vogepohl, Travis’s brother Wil released their debut live album, Live at the Southgate House Revival. This record consists of the live interpretation of the 2023 album Tony Delk’s 53 Point Game, and features the entire band in peak form.

Some times Travis plays with others on his Mavis Guitar records, like the excellent “Gym Sock Smile” from the Louisville Via Boston album which features Joe Mitchell, and some times his records feature sound collages of his kids making noise. Mavis Guitar, as a whole, is meditative guitar music and often improvised, but always poignant. All of it, though is worth your time, especially his recent Mavis Guitar pedal steel covers series.

From “Mainstreet” by Bob Seger to Elvis Costello’s “Green Shirt” and beyond, Travis creates pointed, gorgeous pedal steel takes on songs we know we enjoy. While Travis concluded the pedal steel cover releases at the start of 2025, there’s more Mavis Guitar on the horizon. In the mean time, check out his incredible version of “Stars” by Hum wherever you prefer to do your streaming.

https://open.spotify.com/track/0FCmCCfLsgH56ryHEWuCK3?si=ARLVbxqaRJuN4cU-l-XTVg

Look, I know the link doesn’t work right now. I do all of this from my phone, and I’m stuck with the app’s limitations. Just cut and paste it. Sorry. Thanks.