Fran Healy of Travis: ‘What did I want to be growing up? Not poor’

Born in Staffordshire, Fran Healy, 50, grew up in Scotland. In 1991, he enrolled at the Glasgow School of Art and joined the band that became Travis. In 1999, they released their second album, The Man Who, securing best album at the 2000 Brits as well as best group, an award they also won in 2002. Their hits include Why Does It Always Rain on Me? and Sing, and Healy has two Ivor Novellos for his songwriting. LA Times, Travis’s 10th album, is out on 12 July; the band’s headline tour begins in December. Healy is separated, has a son and lives in Los Angeles.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
I’m incredibly patient with a lot of stuff, but incredibly impatient with other things. I deplore the impatient side.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?
I have a hard time with people who are manipulative.

What is your most treasured possession?
A recording I made of my grandfather two weeks before he died. I close my eyes and he’s sitting in the room with me.

Describe yourself in three words:
Introverted, showoff, thoughtful.

What would your superpower be?
If I could snap my fingers and get rid of all of the baddies.

What makes you unhappy?
Injustice.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?
Everything.

When did you last cry, and why?
When my son got into art school.

Who is your celebrity crush?
Brad Pitt. He’d be pretty cool to hang out with, he seems like a nice dude.

What is your most unappealing habit?
My running commentary while I’m driving and my relentless swearing.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Not poor.

What is the worst thing anyone’s said to you?
“Everyone hates you.” (My manager, a long time ago.)

What was the last lie that you told?
I don’t lie.

What is your guiltiest pleasure?
There should never be guilt in pleasure.

What do you owe your parents?
To my mum, I owe my ability to overcome any possible hurdle and get stuff done. My father? He’s dead and he was never part of my life.

To whom would you most like to say sorry, and why?
If I’m ever out of line, I’m very quick to apologise and try to make amends.

What does love feel like?
It’s just this warm whoosh that goes through you and starts just below the navel area, the pit of your tum.

How often do you have sex?
Once or twice a week.

What would you like to leave your children?
Hopefully as much of the nice, cool stuff as possible and as little of the bad stuff as possible.

What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
I wish I could worry less.

What keeps you awake at night?
Nothing. I sleep like a log.

Would you rather have more sex, money or fame?
Definitely money.

How would you like to be remembered?
Having a few songs that outlive you is a nice way to be remembered.