Groundwork and changing US taste set to propel Travis across Atlantic.

Independiente is eyeing Travis as the UK's next big breakthrough in the US as the tide continues to turn favourably for British talent across the Atlantic.

The group, who are handled by Sony's Sine operation outside the UK, will be embarking on a series of dates across North America in June and early July to promote their album The Invisible Band, which is showing signs before its June 11 release of comfortably outselling its predecessor internationally. The Man Who, a seven-times platinum album in the UK, managed around 950,000 sales abroad while the follow-up's initial ship is already slated at 550,000 units.

"This is a global Sony priority worldwide. When they push the button they push the button," says Independiente director of international Nina Frykberg, who is experiencing a strong early radio uptake in Europe and beyond for the album's preview single Sing. In Germany, where Why Does It Always Rain On Me was a Top 10 airplay hit, it moved 100-65 in its first two weeks on the radio chart and was nudging the Top 50 last week. It has also entered the Spanish airplay chart at six and climbs 16-11 in Norway.

Travis are due to complete a series of gigs on the continent this Wednesday when they perform in Amsterdam, which will be followed by dates at Glasgow Barrowlands and London's Kentish Town ...