Maps
http://www.myspace.com/mapsmusic

“If We Can Create was the birth of Maps this second album, entitled Turning The Mind, is the fully formed manifesto.” - James Chapman 2009

Maps - aka James Chapman - has announced details of the release of a new album, Turning The Mind, released on Mute on 28th September 2009. Turning The Mind, recorded with Tim Holmes (Death in Vegas) at the Contino Rooms in London, is Maps’ second album and follows the Barclaycard Mercury Prize shortlisted debut We Can Create (2007).

Talking about the album, James Chapman explains,

“Turning The Mind is essentially an album which explores themes related to the human mind and the way certain stimuli, particularly chemical, can affect the mind in different ways. A recurring theme throughout the album is that of the 'journey of extremes'. An example of this could be from 'depression' to 'euphoria' (or 'abyss' to 'bliss', if you like). The title comes from the cognitive therapy practice of 'Mindfulness' which I came across a few years ago, taught by Professor Marsha M. Linehan. It is a practice which, in simple terms, takes negative thoughts and turns them towards positive ones by accepting reality as it is, however bad it may be. The tracks for this album never seemed to stop flowing from the day I began working on them, it is a true statement of Maps' music at this precise moment.”

Let Go The Fear, a one-off collaboration with renowned Berlin based producer / DJ Oliver Huntemann and Tim Holmes received a limited download only release in May and was described by The Guardian as “the kind of music that makes you want to indulge in very urgent dancing”:

+ The Phenomenal Handclap Band
http://www.myspace.com/phenomenalhandclap

The Phenomenal Handclap Band is a tight-knit aggregation of musicians and artists from Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. At the center of it is Daniel Collás and Sean Marquand who, after years of searching and contemplation, through live performance and the manipulation of recorded music, have finally succeeded in assembling the personification of their holy vision: a musical juggernaut comprised of Daniel, Sean, and their supremely talented friends Patrick Wood, Nicholas Movshon, Luke O'Malley, Laura Marin, Bing Ji Ling, Pier Pappalardo and Joan Tick.

The collective started when Collás and Marquand, two New York underground club DJs, became restless with the concept of playing other people's music. Both had also been involved in the thriving nightlife scene, and had an almost encyclopedic knowledge of esoteric music ranging from Brazilian soul to vintage psych-rock, so becoming producers seemed to be the next logical step.

After working with a wide range of artists, from veteran soul acts to up-and-coming rock n' rollers, the duo set their sights on The Phenomenal Handclap Band, a collective comprised of various luminaries of the indie rock and underground soul scenes. The resulting self-titled debut (which boasts guest appearances by Aurelio Valle, Carol C, Jaleel Bunton, Bart Davenport, Jon Spencer, and Lady Tigra) is the harmonious culmination of numerous diverse musical backgrounds, as well as a testament to Collás’ and Marquand’s singular musical vision. They have crafted a sound that is equal parts anthemic, dancefloor-oriented and orchestral, borrowing elements from progressive rock, disco, electro, and psychedelia.

Live, The Phenomenal Handclap Band is distilled to an eight-member powerhouse, an eye-popping spectacle that overwhelms the senses. It pulses with a savage rhythm section that provides the ultimate foil for cascading guitars and electrified washes of organ and synthesizers. Their delirious sermonizing whips crowds into a charismatic frenzy. Needless to say, their live shows are more akin to a spiritual church revival than an actual rock show.

+ Jupiters Heroes
http://www.myspace.com/thejupitersheroes

+ DJs: Tender Maulings / DrownedinSound

@ The Deaf Institute, Grosvenor Street, Manchester, M1 7HE

8pm

£6adv

Ticket outlets:

Picadilly Records
The Deaf Institute
TicketLine.co.uk - http://www.ticketline.co.uk/tickets/13235963/maps-and-phenomenal-handclap-band/manchester-deaf-institute/2009-07-09