Mr Maps

LABEL: Lofly

Mr. Maps formed in early 2008, and make a unique brand of instrumental rock. They use soaring live instrumentation punctuated by electronic glitches and cuts, bridging the gap between the folktronica of Four Tet and the grand post-rock sounds of Mogwai.

The compositions are experimental and meticulous, with an air of optimism and beauty. Live reviews have been littered with such words as "precise", "energetic" and "breathtaking". Sonic comparisons have been made with bands such as Battles, Tortoise, toe, Pinback, and 65daysofstatic.

In March 2009 Mr. Maps released “Mimicry of Lines and Light”, a double EP which embodies both sides of the Mr. Maps coin: heavily processed cut-and-paste experiments vs. raw band energy. It was launched in February 2009 at the Roundhouse Theatre, supported by Qua.

The release consists of 2 discs with contrasting versions of 5 tracks, documenting the development of the band as well as the way Mr. Maps make music. The songs were originally written by recording live jam sessions & cutting drums, guitars & keyboards into brand new works. These songs were then re-interpreted by Mr. Maps as a live band.

The "Lights" disc contains these original “cut-up” compositions; a folktronica inspired rearrangement of improvised recordings. The works are an experiment embracing accidental and fleeting moments, and stitching these into a broader musical vision. - The "Lines" disc captures the dynamic energy of the band in live studio recordings of the same songs, played together in one room as single takes, with very few edits or overdubs, and no click-tracks. The songs were recorded on vintage analogue equipment by Steve Bartlett, deliberately employing a technique completely opposite to how the original material was written.

2009 has seen Mr. Maps play to full venues in Brisbane and Sydney, and 2 of their songs nominated as finalists in the prestigious QSong Awards. They are currently busy writing and recording material for a new album, and sketching out tour plans.

http://www.myspace.com/mistermaps