- Maps (band)
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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]
Contents
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
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
EPs Start Something · To the SkySingles "Start Something" · "Lost My Soul" · "Don't Fear" · "It Will Find You" · "You Don't Know Her Name" · "To the Sky" · "Let Go of the Fear" · "I Dream of Crystal" · "Die Happy, Die Smiling"Related articles Categories:- English indie rock groups
- Shoegazing musical groups
- Mute Records artists
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