Interviews

Ready for take-off…

Having signed a deal with industry big-hitters EMI within months of moving to London last year, local lads Air Traffic are now on the verge of their first major release, with their single 'Charlotte' coming out this Monday 26 March. On the eve of the single release they are returning to their home town to play to a packed crowd at The Old Firestation, no doubt hoping that success with the single and their forthcoming album will mean their next visit here will see them headlining at The Opera House and eventually the BIC.

We've managed to grab a few words from the band's drummer, David Jordan, about how they're all feeling with their first major single release just days away, and how things have been progressing recently for the band.

bh one: How are you feeling on the eve of your first major single release? Nervous? Excited?

DJ: Nervous and excited, I think its the same for any band releasing their first chart eligible single. Before, when we released the e.p and Fierce Panda single there was no pressure, it was all about getting ourselves heard a little more. But at the end of the day, the main thing is about building a solid fan base through lots of touring, that's the main thing, building a fan base.

bh one: What are your hopes for the single? Top 40? Top 10? No.1!?

DJ: Hopes for the single are just to get it into the top 40, there's still no real pressure and the label will be happy with just a top 40. Its never appealed to us for it to go mad like The Arctic Monkeys, where everyone goes out and buys it the first day and then that's it. We like the way The Kooks did it, with lots of touring and gradually releasing singles higher up the chart. They've managed to maintain sales from the start to end of their campaign, its a good way and means its not stuffed down people's necks.

bh one: Are you all busting a gut doing promo stuff at the moment?

DJ: Not yet, but I've been told by many bands that it gets really bad! It's okay at the moment and its essential to do and it's quite nice being busy if I'm honest.

bh one: Is the promotional side enjoyable or a bit of a pain? Would you rather just be recording and playing music?

DJ: It's all part of being in a band, you got to put in to get out. Obviously it's all about playing gigs for all bands, but I'm sure it will become a pain.

bh one: How have your recent gigs been going, and can you sense your fan base continuing to grow?

DJ: Recent gigs have been great and we've started to sell out most venues which is nice. Plus we've been able to step the venues up and we're touring in a proper tour bus now instead of a splitter bus and hotels.

bh one: How's life in London?

DJ: We're never there, always on tour!!!

bh one: How's it been, signed to a major? Are EMI being very demanding of you?

DJ: No they're cool, it's nice cos we're their main priority at the moment and we get all the attention. But it's a busy time, so we're in contact a lot regarding album release, singles etc.

bh one: When's the album due out?

DJ: It's out in July.

bh one: Are you getting loads of positive vibes about the year ahead, or are you still a little bit cautious about what it may bring?

DJ: Good vibes from everyone apart from the NME, but that doesn't bother us, it's a comic and I've never read it or has anyone in the band. Its fine, we're not an NME band, but other than that it's cool! The video is play-listed on all the video channels and the single daytime play-listed on radio and all regional radio stations.

bh one: Any messages for your fans and friends in Bournemouth?

DJ: Sorry it's been a while and we're looking forward to Sunday, and sorry we haven't been in contact! Thanks for all the support and best of luck to all the bands, musicians and music fans!!!

For those unable to get tickets to see the band at The Old Firestation, or those not old enough to be eligible, Air Traffic will be giving an in-store performance at HMV in Bournemouth Town Centre on Friday 30 March, from 5pm. For a Bournemouth band to potentially be on the verge of major commercial success is something to celebrate. It was only a year or two ago when these guys were just another Bournemouth band playing Solid Air in front of a couple of dozen. It just goes to show what you can do when you mix drive and ambition with the talent that there clearly is in this sunny seaside town.

Tony Foster