We the Kings keep it simple, honest

Rocker Travis Clark of the group We the Kings likes lyrics that pique his interest, no matter what the musical genre.

Phrases that speak to him can seem odd — like the Justin Bieber lyric “My momma don’t like you and she like’s everyone” from the pop star’s hit “Love Yourself” — but it’s the simplicity of it that catches his attention.

“It’s one of my favorite lyrics because it’s simple — almost too simple — and simple influences me,” Clark says in a phone call from his home in Florida. “When I’m writing, I say what’s on my mind. As long as we’re honest with ourselves, things are going to work out.”

Clark has been honest with his writing and rocking for more than a decade with We the Kings, which just launched a 10-year anniversary tour to celebrate its first self-titled album. For the tour — which comes on the heels of the 2016 release of a greatest hits album entitled “So Far” — the band will perform its original album in its entirety, including the platinum single “Check Yes, Juliet.”

“Press play and let nostalgia kick in,” Clark says of the tour.

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The band had just wrapped the shooting of the music video for its latest single, “Sad Song,” and he mused about the pangs of sadness the song evokes as it tells the story about a man who loses his wife and ignores his daughter in his grief.

“This will pull at people’s heartstrings, especially the end which is very inspirational,” he says of the video.

The band is in a good place 10 years after four childhood friends — Clark on guitar and vocals, Hunter Thomsen on guitar, Drew Thomsen on bass, and Danny Duncan on drums — came together in high school over their shared love of music.

“I wondered how this would feel — like am I going to feel old and washed up after 10 years? What’s interesting is that I still feel young and youthful but in a whole new way,” Clark says with a laugh. “Ten years ago, I was young and anxious, now I’m comfortable and confident in the voice I have. I’m more laid back and relaxed and can concentrate on the creative side of things.”

Of the songs they’re singing on tour, he feels nostalgic remembering the moments spent writing them so long ago. In comparison, he says more recent songs display more maturity and how the band as a whole has “progressed musically and sonically.”

“I write whenever the inspiration hits, even if I didn’t plan on writing,” Clark says. “I noticed the less I try to write, the better it becomes. The less I try to be clever, the more I’m likely to do something no one has ever done. I have to let it come to me organically. Songs that are raw and honest have done much better.”

We the Kings is almost done with its next album. Every lyric reflects a topic that at one time Clark didn’t think they could write about.

“Things like alcohol, being a bad friend or a bad son, being vulnerable,” he explains, adding that the theme “is about what makes us more relatable because we don’t want to be that perfect band who’s always finding love in their songs.

“It will be shocking, but in a good way.”

— Susan McDonald is a regular contributor to The Providence Journal. She can be reached at Sewsoo1@verizon.net.

If you go

What: We the Kings

When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25

Where: The Met, 1005 Main St., Pawtucket

Tickets: $25

Information: (401) 729-1005; themetri.com