Travis Japan Discuss Their New Single, ‘Sweetest Tune,’ and Upcoming World Tour
J-pop boy band Travis Japan has come a long way since their time on America's Got Talent in 2022, and 2024 is proving to be their biggest year yet.
Earlier this month, they released their fifth single, "Sweetest Tune," a vibrant, feel-good summer bop with lyrics in both English and Japanese, with a playfully irresistible music video to match. We love the way it gives each of the group's seven members their own moment to shine, and it even appears in the Japanese TV drama Tokyo Tower, starring King & Prince's Ren Nagase as well as Travis Japan's own Genta Matsuda.
On July 2 and 9, the group will also appear in the Netflix docuseries Ride On Time, taking fans into the world of J-pop and providing further insight into the group, and in the fall, they're heading off on their first-ever World Tour, Road To A. The tour begins with dates in Taipei, Hong Kong and Bangkok in September before heading to the U.S. in October. There's so much buzz around the group that ticket for their United States shows sold out in mere minutes! It's certainly an exciting time for Travis Japan fans, and we caught up with the group to discuss it all in the interview below.
(Image courtesy of Travis Japan)
The Story Behind 'Sweetest Tune'
Noel: At its heart, "Sweetest Tune" is a love song. The music video is very comical as well, but with a sweet side story that pairs well with the beat and one I think our fans will appreciate knowing we are singing the lyrics with them in mind. So, I think that still makes it a love song, even if a silly one.
Machu: Absolutely! Just like the song says, we all have that person we're addicted to and would do anything to impress. We try to show them the best sides of ourselves, hoping to get them hooked before they open our closet and all our secrets start falling out!
What 'Sweetest Tune' Means
Chaka: For me, it's very personal. We got to draw on our experience of living together in Los Angeles. That time together brought us even closer, like a family. As Noel said, it's a love song. What type of love—whether it is romantic love or a friendly kind of love—is up to the listener to decide, and I hope that is what they take from it. A catchy, happy love song that they want to listen to over and over again.
On 'Sweetest Tune' in Tokyo Tower
Genta: The series provided me with a different type of acting opportunity. My character is quite sensual in a way I hadn't gotten to do before. The song fits because it's also very sensual and fun. It allows the audience to see a whole new side of Travis Japan, but at the same time, still the goofy guys next door fans have always known!
On Their 'Road To A' World Tour in the Fall
Umi: We're all excited to return to the States. Los Angeles was home to us for a very long time, nearly eight months. We had a great time living there together and getting to return to that sort of "shared-house" environment in the music video for "Sweetest Tune" was a lot of fun. It's an essential part of who we are. I'm also very excited for New York. It's a beautiful city.
Final Thoughts on 'Sweetest Tune'
Shime: There are a lot of easter eggs from our previous songs and music videos. If you look hard enough, you'll see a video cartridge for "Level Up" and the album covers for "Candy Kiss" and "T.G.I. Friday Night."
Shizu: I really like the choreography in the video. It's easy and fun, and the special effects are great, too. It's a fun song to perform, and when we showed it for the first time on stage during our Road to Authenticity Japan concert, it got a great reaction from the audience. I can't wait to see what the reaction will be from audiences at our shows overseas!
Check out the music video for "Sweetest Tune" below, and for even more from Travis Japan, click HERE to read our interview with them on their second single, "Moving Pieces."