Air Traffic was formed in Bournemouth, England, in 2003 by Chris Wall (piano, lead vocals), David Ryan Jordan (drums), Tom Pritchard (guitar) and Jim Maddock (bass). The band’s name derived from the air‑traffic control signals they could hear while rehearsing in an industrial unit near Hurn Airport. Their early work was characterized by heavy piano use and a sound described by NME as “Supergrass covering Little Richard.” The group released the double A‑side single "Just Abuse Me" / "Charlotte" on 17 July 2006, which sold out 500 copies in days and led to a contract with EMI. In October 2006, the EP Never Even Told Me Her Name debuted, featuring the track that became Zane Lowe’s hottest record for a week. The single "Shooting Star" entered the UK Singles Chart at number 30 on 18 June 2007, and the debut album Fractured Life followed on 2 July 2007 to critical acclaim; led by the single "Charlotte" (charting at number 33) and later produced "No More Running Away" at number 45. Air Traffic toured extensively, supporting Snow Patrol and headlining the Shepherd’s Bush Empire, and performed on the main stage at Rock Werchter 2008 and 2018. In 2010 David Jordan departed, and the remaining trio announced a hiatus in September 2010; the band re‑emerged in 2017 for a ten‑year anniversary tour of Fractured Life and announced further shows in 2018, maintaining a presence in the UK and European alternative rock scenes.
