Maps (band)

Maps
Background information
Birth name	James Chapman
Origin	Northampton, England
Genres	Shoegazing, Indie rock, Electronica
Years active	2006-present
Labels	Mute Records
Website	http://maps-blog.com/
Members
James Chapman

Maps is the recording name used by Northampton-based musician James Chapman. ^[1]

Start Something

In 2006, he recorded his Start Something EP by himself on his 16-track recorder. He released it on his own record label, Last Space Recordings, and it was met with some critical acclaim. The single "Lost My Soul" polled at No. 26 in NME's top 50 singles of 2006.

We Can Create

On 19 May 2007, his first full album We Can Create was released on Mute Records. Since its release, the album has been seen as a critical success even though sales have been fairly modest. His first North American release, To the Sky EP, was digitally released on 22 May on the same label.

Maps has toured playing the album's songs with a full live line-up.

For the touring of 'We Can Create', James was supported by four local musicians for live shows.

On 17 July, it was announced that We Can Create had been nominated for the Mercury Music Prize. However, it lost out to Klaxons' debut album Myths of the Near Future.

Turning the Mind

On 22 February 2009, James wrote on his MySpace blog about his new upcoming album, saying "I've never been more confident and excited about this new album". In an interview he posted on the same blog, he mentioned the new album's themes as being "mental states" and "chemicals".

Turning the Mind was released on 28 September 2009 in Europe, and 20 October in North America.

3rd Album

James is currently writing and recording his 3rd album, due to be released on Mute in 2012. He has been quoted as saying "It will be darker than 'We Can Create', but more positive and hopeful than 'Turning The Mind'. It'll be different, but it will definitely still be Maps".

Discography

Studio albums

Year	Album details
2007	We Can Create Released: 14 May 2007 Label: Mute Records
2009	Turning the Mind Released: 28 September 2009 Label: Mute Records

Extended plays

Year	EP details
2006	Start Something Released: 13 November 2006 Label: Last Space Recordings
2007	To the Sky Released: 22 May 2007 Label: Mute Records

Singles

Year	Single details
2005	"Start Something" Released: 3 October 2005 Label: Last Space Recordings
2006	"Lost My Soul" Released: 6 March 2006 Label: Unknown
	"Don't Fear" Released: 30 October 2006 Label: Unknown
2007	"It Will Find You" Released: 7 May 2007 Label: Mute Records
	"You Don't Know Her Name" Released: 13 August 2007 Label: Mute Records
	"To the Sky" Released: 8 October 2007 Label: Mute Records
2009	"Let Go of the Fear" Released: 11 May 2009 Label: Mute Records
	"I Dream of Crystal" Released: 11 September 2009 Label: Mute Records
2010	"Die Happy, Die Smiling" Released: 25 January 2010 Label: Mute Records

References

1. ^ Myspace.com

External links

• Official website
• Maps on Myspace
• Maps at Bandstand
• Interview with James Chapman at Liberation Frequency
• Interview with James Chapman for www.4ortherecord.com
• Design and Artwork by Citizen

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