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 www.thisismaps.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.

Vicissitude

Maps' third album, titled Vicissitude, was released on Mute on 8 July 2013.[2] 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".

Realigned

A compilation album of remixes, titled Realigned, was released on Mute on 15th August 2014. It is a collection of remixed tracks from all three of Maps' studio albums.

Discography

Studio albums

Year Album details
2007 We Can Create
2009 Turning the Mind
  • Released: 28 September 2009
  • Label: Mute Records
2013 Vicissitude
  • Released: 8 July 2013
  • Label: Mute Records

Extended plays

Year EP details
2006 Start Something
  • Released: 13 November 2006
  • Label: Last Space Recordings
2007 To the Sky

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"
"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
2013 "A.M.A."
  • Released: 24 June 2013
  • Label: Mute Records
2013 "You Will Find a Way"
  • Released: 14 October 2013
  • Label: Mute Records

References

  1. ↑ "Maps | Free Music, Mixes, Tour Dates, Photos, Videos". Myspace.com. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
  2. ↑ Heather Phares (2013-07-08). "Vicissitude - Maps | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-07-15.

External links