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Back on the Maps: James Chapman writes to DiS

lukowski by Andrzej Lukowski [Edit this content] ▾ 5 comments 11:55 September 11th, 2009


Wielding a large stick to repel singles reviewer Wendy Roby - a woman so obsessed with Maps she can actually smell James Chapman's handwriting - it was with delight we opened the DiS towers post this morning and found this missive from Mr Chapman. Well, obviously that's not what happened, but if we actually had an office and it wasn't sent by email and Wendy didn't live in a bog somewhere it wou... well, you get the idea, anyway. There's a new Maps album called Turning the Mind out on September 28, it's a big step up on debut We Can Create, read onwards to find out what Mr Chapman has to say about it.

 

So. Maps 2009. Where're we at? Well, I've been working with Mr Tim Holmes at The Contino Rooms for six months and produced the best album I ever could have thought possible. It's a true statement of where Maps is coming from right now and I've never been more pleased with anything I've ever done. Tim was a dream to work with. We're into exactly the same music so we were on the same wavelength since day one.

This album is more aggressive, harder, angrier and I feel like my lyrics are saying something important this time. It's been a hugely cathartic experience. Don't get me wrong, We Can Create is a great album but the lyrics were very abstract. This is much more personal and I've shown a lot more of my character and really tried to make something that people can relate to. Some of the subject matter may be controversial but I'm at a point in my life where I feel I have to let out my feelings more in my songs and if people connect that's great. I'm hoping they will.

 

Video: Maps: 'I Dream Of Crystal'

 

Live-wise it's a completely different deal. I've teamed up with August, who is a fantastic musician as well as a fantastic person. Expect a more electronic experience and a harder, clubbier sound. I made a conscious effort not to use any guitars on this record, and also none live. I feel electronic music is so much more exciting. My metaphor for guitars is, as cheesy as it sounds, "Why ride a bicycle when you could be flying a jet-plane??" What I mean by this is I find guitars are very limited in what they can do and the sound they make. Gimme a synth and I can make a million and one different sounds and control the sound so precisely it seems like the possibilties are endless. But, hey, that's just me...

So I'm feeling good at this moment in time. Totally sober now. The album is basically about chemical reactions, a theme which runs throughout. I did a fair amount of 'research' in the making of the album but the end track, 'Without You', is an ode to sobriety. I've got everything out of my system now and feeling all the better for it.

So, there you go. Hopefully it's gonna be an exciting time. Can't wait to get the record out there, Turning The Mind is out on 28th September with a single, 'I Dream Of Crystal' out next week.

I hope you're well and I really hope you like the album. I did my best.

Keep as happy and as hopeful as you can, I know it's fucking hard sometimes. Sending love and huge thanks to everyone who's been supportive of Maps so far and hopefully I'll catch you at a show!!!!

Much love,

James xxxx

Maps

Analogue or digital?

I wonder, if he's sacking the guitars, is he also sacking his analogue recording technique too? Interesting that he says the lyrics are less abstract than on the first LP because if I have one criticism of his wonderful debut LP (one of my farourites of 2007) it would be the lyrics.

DJAlbertFreeman | 11 Sep '09, 16:25 | X | Reply

It's *really* good. Last two tracks in particular

are HUGE. Really lovely stuff, and lyrically much darker, more expansive I think. Expect riotously glowing endorsement of the single Monday - that much I can promise.

Wendy_Roby @DJAlbertFreeman | 11 Sep '09, 16:31 | X | Reply

oh my i am mad exited about this

i stumbled upon Maps at Reading '07 while on my own, caught a few songs and was intruiged. 6 months later i picked up the album and i liked the overall sound, but not that many tracks really grabbed me. but I Dream of Crystal sounds amazing. i'm very exited...

iamwiggy | 12 Sep '09, 22:16 | X | Reply

I feel like Turning The Mind takes a dip in quality with the trio of...

...'Nothing', 'The Note (These Voices)' and 'Chemeleon' (it's fairly flawless up to this point). But yeah, are you right about the last two tracks. The album really does bounce back for the finale, 'Die Happy, Die Smiling' and 'Without You' are gargantuan highlights. Love the album, well done James.

Acquiescence @Wendy_Roby | 12 Sep '09, 23:57 | X | Reply

I confess to being a bit sorry to hear of

the lack of guitars. I'm finding it hard to reconcile the claim of "more aggressive, harder, angrier" with the absence of guitars. Certainly, the former appeals to me, and my main complaint with We Can Create is that it could've been precisely more aggressive, harder, angrier. But I don't really hear that in the "I Dream of Crystal" track (which is engaging, nevertheless). Is that track not really indicative of the album? In what way is the rest of the material "more aggressive, harder, angrier"? Does it go down the path of industrial or similar?

I'm looking forward to hearing the album in any case.

robluvsnic | 14 Sep '09, 03:40 | X | Reply

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