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Maps (musician)

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Maps
Maps performing at the Summer Sundae festival in Leicester, 11 August 2007
Maps performing at the Summer Sundae festival in Leicester, 11 August 2007
Background information
Birth nameJames Kenneth Chapman
OriginNorthampton, England
Genres
Occupations
  • Record producer
  • songwriter
  • remixer
Years active2006–present
LabelsMute
Websitethisismaps.com

James Kenneth Chapman,[1] known professionally as Maps, is an English record producer, songwriter and remixer.[2]

Career

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Start Something

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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 number 26 in NME's Top 50 singles of 2006.

We Can Create

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On 19 May 2007, his debut studio 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.[citation needed] 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

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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".[citation needed]

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

Vicissitude

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Maps' third album, titled Vicissitude, was released on Mute on 8 July 2013.[3] 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".[citation needed]

Realigned

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

onDeadWaves

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In 2016 Chapman collaborated with Mute Records label mate Polly Scattergood, under the name onDeadWaves. They released their self-titled album to positive reviews, and played live shows to promote the album, including some support slots with M83 (band)

Colours. Reflect. Time. Loss.

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Chapman released his fourth studio album, Colours. Reflect. Time. Loss., through Mute Records on 10 May 2019. It is said to be his most ambitious work to date, and has seen him work with orchestral musicians, female vocalists, percussionists and a drummer. Maps returned to the live arena that same year to promote the album with a full live band, for a number of shows in the U.K., including a sold out show at The Purcell Room, Southbank Centre in July 2019.

Discography

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Studio albums

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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
2019 Colours. Reflect. Time. Loss.
  • Released: 10 May 2019
  • Label: Mute Records
2022 Counter Melodies
  • Released: 26 October 2022
  • Label: Mute Records

Extended plays

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

Singles

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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

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  1. ^ "Songwriter/Composer: Chapman James Kenneth". BMI. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  2. ^ "Maps | Free Music, Mixes, Tour Dates, Photos, Videos". Myspace. Retrieved 15 July 2013.
  3. ^ Heather Phares (8 July 2013). "Vicissitude - Maps | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 15 July 2013.
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