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We caught up with David, Chris, Tom, and Jim in the Spaceland parking lot (another dark corner behind a club, a familiar interview place it seems) for a quick chat about their story, debut release, and girls of LA. I've left in the random commentary and also noted for our readers that we stopped a few times by almost getting run over by car, traffic noise, and a fan coming to chat.
Welcome to LA, what's your stateside visit been like so far?
David: We've had real fun actually. It's like our second time in the States. We did South by Southwest in February, and we did some shows at CMJ in New York we are really good fun. And now we're on our second gig in LA, we played um.. where did we play last night?
Chris: Cinespace.
How was that?
Chris: It was really good actually. It was an odd little sort of venue going on because there's like a DJ next door or or like a party vibe and then we're playing a gig, so I think the people were thinking, "hmm, whats going on here?" But it was good, it was cool. It was our first gig over here.
Are you enjoying LA so far? Have you seen much of LA?
Tom: LA has been really cool so far. We've been over to New York for a couple of days and it's a totally different vibe over here. Everyones a lot more relaxed and you know, you get treated like a human being for once so its really cool. Yeah, and we love it. The weather has been great. We're used to raining all the time and it hardly ever rains here at all.
Well, actually there are fires now from it.
Tom: Yeah well we did come at a bad time, I didn't want to mention that. but yeah, its been wicked, really cool.
Whats the one thing that stands our differently being here compared to the UK?
Jim: It's just a totally different experience because we're not known here at all. And it's sort of like going back to basics really like playing for not many people and in really small venues. It's pretty weird going back to that I suppose but it's really exciting at the same time.
Chris: The other big difference is that the girls here are a lot more attractive generally than in the UK.
David: And the food is massive over here.
Tom: I like Men.
*laughs and jokes with each other*
So tell us about your band, your journey, and why you're called Air Traffic?
David: We come from a place called Bournemouth which is in the south coast of England. And we grew up with various bands throughout school and then took the band a little bit further. We got together through fluke by playing at the same gig together and had the same interest in music. And we started practicing at this studio which was near an airport, and we were picking up air traffic control signals through the amps - true story. So we decided on the name <B>Air Traffic</b>, moved to London, and then got signed. And that's pretty much our journey.
Cool. So when did you all get into making music and what inspired you?
Tom: Music has been part of me all my life really, ever since growing up listening to my dad's records and then we've always been a music orientated family. My dad can play the piano and various other instruments. And I just kind of picked the guitar 'cause mates played and just learned that way really. And then just wanted to be in a band.
Your album released in the UK this summer and has already been on the UK ALBUM CHART, how do you think it's going to do here next year?
Chris: Hopefully, really well. So far we've had really good response from everyone over here that has heard it. I think we're an English band who could do well out here as opposed to a lot of English bands who are really far too British to go anywhere out here. So, hopefully it'll do well I think.
And are you coming back to tour?
Chris: Yes we are, it's going to be out on the 5th of February [2008] I think. And we're going to be out shortly after that. Hopefully during February and definitely all of March.
So we were on your Myspace and we saw you guys blog about Amoeba records and one of you guys got a Weezer vinyl, did you find anything else you'd been looking for for awhile?
David: Yeah, I found everything in there that I was looking for but I'm a dangerous person in a record store like that 'cause I'll just blow loads of money.
Did you like that store?
David: Its amazing.
We also checked out your video for "No More Running Away", could you tell us a bit more about it and any significant meanings behind it?
Tom: Well theres no big meaning behind the song, we just wanted a lot of people to play the drums because they play such an important part in the visual side of it and how it sounds as well. We went out to Romania mainly because it was cheap labor because we needed loads of people to play, well its not our decision that was the record labels decision. They're the ones who pay for everything don't they? And then we went out there and got loads of extras and just film us play the drums in weird surreal areas and a rundown building. So it looks really cool and edgy.
Great, what can people expect from your live shows?
Chris: Lots of energy...
*We all stop as a young lady stops her car by us to ask about parking*
Chris:.. what was the question again? Oh, expect from a live show yes. Energy and rawness and we don't have extra weird sounds coming in on recordings and other people playing instruments anywhere. We're just doing our thing and we play really tight and we play amazing songs.
Cool, and what is your favorite song to play?
David: Probably "No More Running Away" which is nice to play because we all swap (switch in American english) instruments which gives it a nice contrast to the set.
At the end of your song "Your Fractured Life" you start hearing an audience, was this a recording or from a previous gig?
Jim: It's from a gig we played in Portsmouth back in February this year when we were finishing up the album, and we got them to sing along that line at the end of the song and we just mixed it into the final recording of the track and it made it onto the album. And then we thanked all the people that were there at the show and we wrote them into the credits of the album so its nice for them.
And then there's obviously that "secret track" and then end of the last album, is there a reason why you make people wait 16 minutes before you hear anything?
Chris: Yes actually, we thought it'd be good to have a big gap because I like it when you have those big gaps and you think the album is finished or you're in the kitchen washing up or something or maybe asleep and then it just comes on and it scares the shit out of you. We thought that'd be quite funny. That's pretty much the reason.
Hah I see. Your song "Shooting Star" is the theme of the European MTV show Living on the Edge...
David: Is that broadcast out here?
No, it's like the American Laguna Beach. Do you...
*We stop again as the same girl from the car comes up to us to chat to one of the guys, only to realize we're in an interview*
Chris: What was the question again, sorry.
Right, "Shooting Star" on the MTV show, how do you think it's impacted you?
Jim: I don't know how, it's good I guess. That adverts (commercial) is on TV all the time. I don't know how people who have never heard of us will know who it's by really..
Well, a lot of music go on TV shows and people will go out and look for it.
Jim: I guess its a good way to find out somehow, it's good. It's always good to have as much exposure as possible.
Definitely. Any words to your fans in England and over here?
Chris: Hello
Anything else?
Chris: Don't forget to brush your teeth.
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