Air Traffic
Encyclopedia
Air Traffic was a British alternative rock
band from Bournemouth
. Formed in 2003, the band consists of Chris Wall (piano, lead vocals), David Ryan Jordan (Drums), Tom Pritchard (guitar) and Jim Maddock (bass guitar).
The band's name originates from when they used to rehearse in an industrial unit next to Hurn Airport
, where air traffic control signals could be picked up on their amplifiers. Their music features heavy use of piano
, and they have been described by NME
to be like "Supergrass
covering Little Richard
". The band have received minor success with the release of their single "Shooting Star
", which debuted at #30 in the UK singles chart, and the release of their debut album, Fractured Life
, which peaked at #42.
in 2003. The band moved to London
in 2005, they recruited fourth band member Jim Maddock and began looking for a record deal. Their first single, a double-a side of "Just Abuse Me
" and "Charlotte
", was released on 17 July 2006 through Label Fandango
. 500 copies of the single were produced, all of which sold out within a few days of the release date. Following this, the band were signed to major label EMI
. The band began to experience some mainstream success after being noticed by Steve Lamacq
and Zane Lowe
of BBC Radio 1
, resulting in airplay on Radio 1, Capital Radio
, XFM
and Kerrang! Radio.
They spent much of August and September 2006 in Rockfield Studio in Monmouth
, Wales
, recording material for their debut album. Four of the tracks from these sessions were released as an EP
on 30 October 2006, which included the single "Never Even Told Me Her Name
" which was Zane Lowe
's hottest record in the world for a week on BBC Radio 1.
On 24 November 2006, the band were given their first real television exposure when they appeared on Later With Jools Holland
alongside such acts as The Killers and Lucinda Williams
. They performed both songs from their first release, "Charlotte" and "Just Abuse Me". Later in the year, the band supported Snow Patrol
on their UK arena tour, playing the GMEX in Manchester
and the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre
in Glasgow
during December 2006. The band were also nominated in the BBC Sound Of 2007 poll.
The band re-released "Charlotte" on 26 March 2007. This marked the band's first move into the charts, with the song reaching number 33 in the UK Singles Chart
. The band released their new single, "Shooting Star", on 18 June 2007. The song, prior to its release, met with acclaim; it was Marsha Shandur
's (Xfm
) and Steve Lamacq
's (6 Music) "Single Of The Week" for 4–10 June 2007, as well as Vernon Kay
's "Weekend Anthem" for 9–10 June 2007, on BBC Radio 1. Their debut album, Fractured Life
, was released on 2 July 2007 to critical acclaim and receiving positive reviews across the board.
The album was named "Album Of The Week" on radio station Original 106
throughout 25 June - July 11, 2007, with several album tracks played all week. A further single, "No More Running Away
", was released on 24 September 2007, charting at #45.
Air Traffic were one of ten nominees for the 2007 Xfm New Music Award
. They attended and played at a ceremony at London
's KOKO on 16 January 2008, with The Enemy
being the eventual winners. They released non-album single "Come On" on 21 January 2008, as part of an exclusive download with Xfm. Whilst the song was included in the American release of the album, it was available to download for free in the United Kingdom
. In April the band embarked on their biggest UK tour to date headlining a sold out Shepherds Bush Empire
in London. To support the album's US release, they embarked on a tour with the critically acclaimed Elbow
as well their own headline dates. The band also featured on the main stage at the Rock Werchter
festival 08 in Belgium
alongside R.E.M.
, Radiohead
and Neil Young
.
, including shows at London
's Borderline, Manchester
's Deaf Institute and a small hometown warm up show. On the 1st November 2009 another demo track was sent to subscribed fans of the website, entitled "Maniac".
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band from Bournemouth
Bournemouth
Bournemouth is a large coastal resort town in the ceremonial county of Dorset, England. According to the 2001 Census the town has a population of 163,444, making it the largest settlement in Dorset. It is also the largest settlement between Southampton and Plymouth...
. Formed in 2003, the band consists of Chris Wall (piano, lead vocals), David Ryan Jordan (Drums), Tom Pritchard (guitar) and Jim Maddock (bass guitar).
The band's name originates from when they used to rehearse in an industrial unit next to Hurn Airport
Bournemouth Airport
Bournemouth Airport is an airport located north-northeast of Bournemouth, in southern England...
, where air traffic control signals could be picked up on their amplifiers. Their music features heavy use of piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, and they have been described by NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
to be like "Supergrass
Supergrass
Supergrass was an English alternative rock band from Oxford. The band consisted of brothers Gaz and Rob Coombes , Mick Quinn and Danny Goffey ....
covering Little Richard
Little Richard
Richard Wayne Penniman , known by the stage name Little Richard, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, recording artist, and actor, considered key in the transition from rhythm and blues to rock and roll in the 1950s. He was also the first artist to put the funk in the rock and roll beat and...
". The band have received minor success with the release of their single "Shooting Star
Shooting Star (Air Traffic song)
"Shooting Star" is a single by English indie rock band Air Traffic. It was the second single to be released from the band's debut album, Fractured Life...
", which debuted at #30 in the UK singles chart, and the release of their debut album, Fractured Life
Fractured Life
Fractured Life is the debut album by English alternative rock band Air Traffic. It was released on 2 July 2007 on the Tiny Consumer label, an imprint of EMI. The album contains UK Top 40 hit "Charlotte" as well as other singles "Just Abuse Me", "Never Even Told Me Her Name", "Shooting Star" and,...
, which peaked at #42.
Formation and Fractured Life (2006-2008)
Chris Wall first met David Ryan Jordan and Tom Pritchard whilst studying at school in BournemouthBournemouth
Bournemouth is a large coastal resort town in the ceremonial county of Dorset, England. According to the 2001 Census the town has a population of 163,444, making it the largest settlement in Dorset. It is also the largest settlement between Southampton and Plymouth...
in 2003. The band moved to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 2005, they recruited fourth band member Jim Maddock and began looking for a record deal. Their first single, a double-a side of "Just Abuse Me
Just Abuse Me
"Just Abuse Me" was the first release from Bournemouth-based alternative rock band Air Traffic. It was released as a double a-side with "Charlotte", a song which would later be re-released as a solo single....
" and "Charlotte
Charlotte (song)
"Charlotte" is a single by Bournemouth-based alternative rock band Air Traffic. Taken from the band's debut studio album Fractured Life, the track was released through Tiny Consumer, a record label division of EMI. "Charlotte" was first released as part of the band's debut single, a double a-side...
", was released on 17 July 2006 through Label Fandango
Label Fandango
Label Fandango is an independent record label based in Highbury, London. Evolving out of parent companies Fierce Panda Records and Pointy Records, it has been releasing limited edition music singles since 2005...
. 500 copies of the single were produced, all of which sold out within a few days of the release date. Following this, the band were signed to major label EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
. The band began to experience some mainstream success after being noticed by Steve Lamacq
Steve Lamacq
Steve Lamacq , sometimes known by his nicknames Lammo or "The Cat" is an English disc jockey, currently working with the BBC radio stations BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio 2.-Early career:He was born in Basingstoke, Hampshire...
and Zane Lowe
Zane Lowe
Zane Lowe also known as 'Zipper', is a radio DJ and television presenter. He was born in New Zealand and grew up in Auckland, where he was a presenter on the local music station Max TV, before moving to England...
of BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
, resulting in airplay on Radio 1, Capital Radio
Capital Radio
Capital London is a London based radio station which launched on 16 October 1973 and is owned by Global Radio. On 3 January 2011 it formed part of the nine station Capital radio network.- Pre-launch :...
, XFM
Xfm
Xfm is a brand of two commercial radio stations focused on alternative music, primarily indie pop, and owned by Global Radio.-History:Xfm was created in London in 1992 by Sammy Jacob, who later co-founded NME Radio in 2008. Xfm subsequently expanded to a network of four stations; there are...
and Kerrang! Radio.
They spent much of August and September 2006 in Rockfield Studio in Monmouth
Monmouth
Monmouth is a town in southeast Wales and traditional county town of the historic county of Monmouthshire. It is situated close to the border with England, where the River Monnow meets the River Wye with bridges over both....
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, recording material for their debut album. Four of the tracks from these sessions were released as an EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
on 30 October 2006, which included the single "Never Even Told Me Her Name
Never Even Told Me Her Name
"Never Even Told Me Her Name" is a song by Bournemouth-based band Air Traffic taken from their debut album, Fractured Life, released on 2 July 2007. It was the first song from the band to be added to the influential BBC Radio 1 playlist, where it was added to the 1-Up-front playlist, as well as...
" which was Zane Lowe
Zane Lowe
Zane Lowe also known as 'Zipper', is a radio DJ and television presenter. He was born in New Zealand and grew up in Auckland, where he was a presenter on the local music station Max TV, before moving to England...
's hottest record in the world for a week on BBC Radio 1.
On 24 November 2006, the band were given their first real television exposure when they appeared on Later With Jools Holland
Later with Jools Holland
Later... with Jools Holland is a contemporary British music television show hosted by Jools Holland. A spin-off of The Late Show, it has been running in short series since 1992 and is a part of BBC Two's late-night line-up, usually at around 11pm to 12 midnight...
alongside such acts as The Killers and Lucinda Williams
Lucinda Williams
Lucinda Williams is an American rock, folk, blues and country music singer and songwriter. She recorded her first albums in 1978 and 1980 in a traditional country and blues style and received very little attention from radio, the media, or the public. In 1988, she released her self-titled album,...
. They performed both songs from their first release, "Charlotte" and "Just Abuse Me". Later in the year, the band supported Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol are an alternative rock band from Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. Formed at the University of Dundee in 1994 as an indie rock band, the band is now based in Glasgow...
on their UK arena tour, playing the GMEX in Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
and the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre
Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre
The Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre , located on the north bank of the River Clyde, in Glasgow, is Scotland's largest exhibition centre....
in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
during December 2006. The band were also nominated in the BBC Sound Of 2007 poll.
The band re-released "Charlotte" on 26 March 2007. This marked the band's first move into the charts, with the song reaching number 33 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. The band released their new single, "Shooting Star", on 18 June 2007. The song, prior to its release, met with acclaim; it was Marsha Shandur
Marsha Shandur
Marsha Shandur is a radio presenter, DJ, music manager, voiceover artist and music supervisor who is also best known for presenting on Xfm London and Xfm Manchester .- Career :...
's (Xfm
Xfm London
Xfm London is a commercial radio station in the United Kingdom owned by Global Radio and broadcasts on 104.9 FM in London, on digital radio via 30 DAB multiplexes across the country, Sky, TalkTalk TV and Virgin Media....
) and Steve Lamacq
Steve Lamacq
Steve Lamacq , sometimes known by his nicknames Lammo or "The Cat" is an English disc jockey, currently working with the BBC radio stations BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio 2.-Early career:He was born in Basingstoke, Hampshire...
's (6 Music) "Single Of The Week" for 4–10 June 2007, as well as Vernon Kay
Vernon Kay
Vernon Charles Kay is a British television presenter, radio DJ, american footballer and former model. He began television presenting on the BBC children's programme FBi, a spin-off of Fully Booked. Since he has presented various programmes, most notably T4, Beat the Star and All Star Family...
's "Weekend Anthem" for 9–10 June 2007, on BBC Radio 1. Their debut album, Fractured Life
Fractured Life
Fractured Life is the debut album by English alternative rock band Air Traffic. It was released on 2 July 2007 on the Tiny Consumer label, an imprint of EMI. The album contains UK Top 40 hit "Charlotte" as well as other singles "Just Abuse Me", "Never Even Told Me Her Name", "Shooting Star" and,...
, was released on 2 July 2007 to critical acclaim and receiving positive reviews across the board.
The album was named "Album Of The Week" on radio station Original 106
Original 106
Original 106fm was formerly a radio station broadcasting to the Solent region of southern England, centred on the towns and cities of Portsmouth, Southampton and Bournemouth, from its transmitters at Chillerton Down, Mannings Heath and Crabwood Farm...
throughout 25 June - July 11, 2007, with several album tracks played all week. A further single, "No More Running Away
No More Running Away
"No More Running Away" is a song by English alternative rock band Air Traffic. It was the third single released from the band's debut album, Fractured Life. It was released on 24 September 2007 on CD and 7" vinyl and available as a digital download...
", was released on 24 September 2007, charting at #45.
Air Traffic were one of ten nominees for the 2007 Xfm New Music Award
Xfm
Xfm is a brand of two commercial radio stations focused on alternative music, primarily indie pop, and owned by Global Radio.-History:Xfm was created in London in 1992 by Sammy Jacob, who later co-founded NME Radio in 2008. Xfm subsequently expanded to a network of four stations; there are...
. They attended and played at a ceremony at London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
's KOKO on 16 January 2008, with The Enemy
The Enemy (UK band)
The Enemy are an English rock band formed in Coventry in 2006, signed to Warner Music Group . In June 2007, The Enemy played twice at Glastonbury Festival, first in the 'Guardian Lounge' on Saturday and then the much larger 'Other Stage' on Sunday. They also headlined on the Saturday night of T in...
being the eventual winners. They released non-album single "Come On" on 21 January 2008, as part of an exclusive download with Xfm. Whilst the song was included in the American release of the album, it was available to download for free in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. In April the band embarked on their biggest UK tour to date headlining a sold out Shepherds Bush Empire
Shepherds Bush Empire
The O2 Shepherds Bush Empire is a music venue in Shepherd's Bush, London, England, run by the Academy Music Group. It was built in 1903, as a music hall, and in 1953 became the BBC Television Theatre...
in London. To support the album's US release, they embarked on a tour with the critically acclaimed Elbow
Elbow (band)
Elbow are an English rock band. They have played together since 1990 and recorded five studio albums, the most recent of which is Build a Rocket Boys!, released in March 2011...
as well their own headline dates. The band also featured on the main stage at the Rock Werchter
Rock Werchter
Rock Werchter is a Belgian annual music festival held in the village of Werchter, near Leuven, since 1974. It is one of the five biggest annual rock music festivals in Europe...
festival 08 in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
alongside R.E.M.
R.E.M.
R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry. One of the first popular alternative rock bands, R.E.M. gained early attention due to Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style and Stipe's...
, Radiohead
Radiohead
Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke , Jonny Greenwood , Ed O'Brien , Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway .Radiohead released their debut single "Creep" in 1992...
and Neil Young
Neil Young
Neil Percival Young, OC, OM is a Canadian singer-songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation...
.
Untitled Second Album and David Ryan Jordan's departure (2010)
The band invited fans to download new track "Ambulate" through email in April 2009, in which they stated that drummer David Ryan Jordan had left the band to "pursue other interests". In June, the band played a sold out, seven date tour of the United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, including shows at London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
's Borderline, Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
's Deaf Institute and a small hometown warm up show. On the 1st November 2009 another demo track was sent to subscribed fans of the website, entitled "Maniac".
Hiatus (2010)
In September 2010 the remaining 3 members announced on the band's official website that they are "taking a break from being a band for a while to try other things" fuelling the persistent rumour that the band has split.Studio albums
| Year | Album details | Charts |
|---|---|---|
| UK UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
||
| 2007 | Fractured Life Fractured Life Fractured Life is the debut album by English alternative rock band Air Traffic. It was released on 2 July 2007 on the Tiny Consumer label, an imprint of EMI. The album contains UK Top 40 hit "Charlotte" as well as other singles "Just Abuse Me", "Never Even Told Me Her Name", "Shooting Star" and,...
|
42 |
Extended plays
| Year | Album details |
|---|---|
| 2006 | Never Even Told Me Her Name Never Even Told Me Her Name "Never Even Told Me Her Name" is a song by Bournemouth-based band Air Traffic taken from their debut album, Fractured Life, released on 2 July 2007. It was the first song from the band to be added to the influential BBC Radio 1 playlist, where it was added to the 1-Up-front playlist, as well as...
|
Singles
| Year | Title | UK Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... peak position |
Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | "Just Abuse Me Just Abuse Me "Just Abuse Me" was the first release from Bournemouth-based alternative rock band Air Traffic. It was released as a double a-side with "Charlotte", a song which would later be re-released as a solo single.... " / "Charlotte Charlotte (song) "Charlotte" is a single by Bournemouth-based alternative rock band Air Traffic. Taken from the band's debut studio album Fractured Life, the track was released through Tiny Consumer, a record label division of EMI. "Charlotte" was first released as part of the band's debut single, a double a-side... " |
— | Non-album release |
| 2007 | "Charlotte Charlotte (song) "Charlotte" is a single by Bournemouth-based alternative rock band Air Traffic. Taken from the band's debut studio album Fractured Life, the track was released through Tiny Consumer, a record label division of EMI. "Charlotte" was first released as part of the band's debut single, a double a-side... " (re-release) |
33 | Fractured Life |
| "Shooting Star Shooting Star (Air Traffic song) "Shooting Star" is a single by English indie rock band Air Traffic. It was the second single to be released from the band's debut album, Fractured Life... " |
30 | ||
| "No More Running Away No More Running Away "No More Running Away" is a song by English alternative rock band Air Traffic. It was the third single released from the band's debut album, Fractured Life. It was released on 24 September 2007 on CD and 7" vinyl and available as a digital download... " |
45 | ||
| "—" denotes did not chart. | |||