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Aqualung is the brainchild of British songwriter Matt Hales, who discovered his love of melodic pop music while listening to songs at his parents' Southampton record store. Inspired by the artists he heard, Hales began writing songs on the family piano at the age of four. By the time he turned 16, the young musician had earned a scholarship to Winchester College, where he studied music composition. His classes often focused on classical music, and Hales responded by writing a symphonic piece, Life Cycle, during his second year of study. Hales was also interested in popular music, however, and began merging his influences into a contemporary style. He played alongside his brother in a Police cover band and later became part of the Britpop group Ruth, which released an album on ARC Records in 1999. After leading another band, the 45's (not to be confused with the Atlanta-based garage rock revival band), and issuing two singles on Universal, Hales grew disenchanted and started working on...