Led by falsetto-equipped vocalist, keyboardist, and guitarist Chris James, the Leeds, England-based Stateless -- a left-of-center, electronics-enhanced rock band that recalled Radiohead, post-Protection Massive Attack, and Coldplay -- took shape in 2003. Demos for "Exit" and "Prism #1" were picked up by BBC Radio 1 and earned the interest of Sony, where Stateless released the 2004 single "Down Here." The Sony-BMG merger brought an end to the band’s major-label contract. They briefly linked with Regal and released the four-track Bloodstream EP. James then contributed lyrics and vocals to two songs for DJ Shadow's 2006 album The Outsider. Another short-term deal for Stateless yielded a self-titled album issued on !K7 in 2007. Matilda, a second album, was released on Ninja Tune in 2011. ~ Andy Kellman