When Maps & Atlases coalesced six years ago, they were four young art students steered by contemporary musical thought and informed by their parents’ record collections. In some ways, they’re not far from that model now but time and experience have brought the Chicago quartet into much clearer focus.
“When we first started, we were really into more technical stuff and had just discovered Free Jazz and (Post Rock heroes) Don Caballero,” guitarist/vocalist Dave Davison says. “But at that time and now, we were into Classic Rock and Folk and experimental Indie Pop, and our dads — me and (guitarist) Erin (Elders) specifically — were into Jethro Tull and Mahavishnu Orchestra. And after our first EP, the things we had discovered in new music were meshing and morphing into that ’70s Rock stuff, but it obviously has the qualities of the new technical stuff.”
This year promises to be an exciting one for Maps & Atlases. The foursome — Davison, Elders, bassist Shiraz Dada and drummer Chris Hainey — are currently on tour to support Perch Patchwork, its debut for Barsuk Records and its first full-length after a pair of acclaimed EPs (2006’s Tree, Swallows, Houses and 2008’s You and Me and the Mountain). The band members are clearly excited about the new material, specifically, and their future in general.
Maps & Atlases play The Southgate House Wednesday. Go here to read Brian Baker's full interview.
