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<<Page 1
 Emily,
“there’s a naked guy next to us, you gotta check this out!” As she
came up on deck all she saw was the splash as he dove into the frigid San
Francisco Bay water. Shrinkage was the first thing that came to mind. As I
got to know this Canadian and his family, I learned his many life stories
and experienced a few myself. Once I found him working in his tight engine
room bare naked. I suggested he move before turning over the engine as his
manhood was in close proximity to the moving belts. Many miles down the
coast in Bahia Santa Maria
I found myself with time on my hands during a
3-day blow and the song seemed to write itself. The “Naked Canadian”
was the easiest song I ever wrote, its all true. Both the real Naked
Canadian and the song have become cult classics in the Baja cruising
community.
 “Chasing
a Dream” is different, it’s a story but not about a
person, what is it about?
Its about what we are doing as cruisers – we’re the ultimate dreamers.
 Tell me about
“Two
More Cervezas”, despite its title it has nothing to do
with drinking does it?
No. It is about what I was feeling. I had built my boat, quit my job and
sailed off to Mexico. The U.S. had just been bombed by terrorist and
everywhere there are cameras in the air looking at us. Our privacy was
being invaded. People were willingly giving up their personal rights, the
very basis of our country. “Two More Cervezas” is simply the hook, the
song is about personal freedom.
All
the songs on “The Ocean is a Woman” CD have a full band except for
one.“Life of a Seaman” is just me, my guitar and harmonica. I walked
up to the microphone and did it in one take. It was the last song we
recorded.
More below...
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 You
have a slideshow on your CD, that’s unique from other nautical oriented
music CDs, how did you come up with that idea?
Yes, that was a great idea, visionary in fact. I had to convince my
partner as they are her photos. After many ferocious arguments I finally
won. It’s a collection of photos of our voyage from San Francisco to
Baja accompanied by descriptions and song lyrics.
You
have a nude woman on the cover of your CD, tell me about it.
Emily and I had an anchorage with a beach to ourselves. All cruisers know
that’s an opportunity to get naked. So we did. Emily went in the water
for a cool down and like any red-blooded man I dove for the camera and
proceeded to snap shots. I was only taking the photos for my personal
enjoyment. I didn’t take it with the CD in mind. Later, when we made the
CD, it was the natural choice for the cover.
Nudity seems to be a theme in your CD. You have another unique photo on
the inside of your CD package, a nude man.
Ya, that would be the Naked Canadian doing his impression of the Titanic
pose.
Cruising is a life many people only dream of, what do like most about
the lifestyle?
The self-sufficiency of the lifestyle. The traveling and adventure. The
camaraderie with other cruisers. Also it’s good for writing songs and
playing music.
After 2 years of cruising Baja, what is you favorite thing about Baja?
The contrast of the ocean and the desert, the water sports, fishing and
diving, and I love the Mexican people.
Do you have plans for another CD?
Yes, I am currently writing and recording preliminary tracks.
Why Travis of Mystery Tramp? It’s unusual, why not use you last name?
Because as a cruiser you are known by your boat name. I would like to
clarify, I am not the Mystery Tramp, the boat is Mystery Tramp. I am
Travis of the sailing vessel Mystery Tramp and so Travis of Mystery Tramp.
^^Top of Article^^
For more information about Travis of Mystery Tramp and his CD, “The
Ocean is a Woman” visit www.mysterytramp.com.
“The Ocean is a Woman” CD is available at mysterytramp.com,
CDstreet.com, Amazon.com
and CDBaby.com where
there is currently a discount if you buy 2 or more. It is also available
at Downwind Marine in San Diego.
Our thanks to: Emily Hansen is an artist, photographer, writer and
cruiser. She is also founder of Mystery Tramp Records (www.mysterytramp.com;
mail@mysterytramp.com).
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