Air Traffic

UK indie rock band from Bournemouth, Dorset, formed in 2005 by Chris Wall (vocals, piano, guitar), David Jordan (drums), Jim Maddock (bass) and Tom Pritchard (guitar). The quartet rehearsed in an abandoned aircraft hangar and would find air traffic control signals interfering with their equipment, not a perfect situation but one that inspired their band name. Air Traffic made its recording debut in summer 2006 with the limited edition vinyl double a-side "Just Abuse Me"/"Charlotte", released via the independent Label Fandango. The piano-heavy indie pop style was reminiscent of the highly successful Coldplay and Keane, and it was no real surprise when Air Traffic landed a major label contract with the EMI Records imprint Tiny Consumer. Decamping to a studio in Monmouth, Wales, the quartet broke off sessions for their debut album to release the EP Never Even Told Me Her Name at the end of the year. The EP included the title track (already a live favourite at the band's gigs) and a demo version of the insinuatingly catchy "Shooting Star", which would later be re-released as a single in a fully finished version. The band's debut album, Fractured Life, was a polished collection of melodic indie pop that was unfortunately hampered by poor mastering and a lack of variety.