The Chicago-based math rock outfit, Maps & Atlases, recently announced a European and national tour set for this spring, in support of its upcoming full-length release, Beware and Be Grateful. The LP is the quartet’s sophomore effort, as well as a follow-up to the band’s critically acclaimed 2010 debut, Perch Patchwork
From the looks of the group’s album teaser, this record seems to take on an ominous theme. In the two-minutes and nineteen seconds of visuals, we only hear a few seconds of actual music. Virtually the whole video documents a man’s account of witnessing a person jump off a bridge out of a burning car, but as he continues his description, he mentions that he’s not sure if it even existed. It’s almost apocalyptic, as the title suggests. But the most peculiar thing is the music that plays at the end. It’s upbeat and experimental, and in the scene, is emitting from a DJ at a club—a complete juxtaposition from the man’s eerie experience.
In February, Maps & Atlases released a new single, “Winter,” that may fit the gap in the video. This track’s instrumentation is tight, dense, and perky, featuring vocalist/guitarist David Davison’s famous finger-tapping guitar technique and bassy, nonchalant vocals as he confesses, “I thought I saw an aura in this void, I thought there was a mirror in your voice.” There’s a gleam of hope in an otherwise bleak, barren season.
Beware and Be Grateful is set for an April 16 UK release and April 17 US release via Barsuk Records. Below is a full list of Maps & Atlases’ spring tour dates, and for you SXSW goers, check the band out at the festival. It’ll be playing at both the Paste Magazine Party and the Barsuk Records showcase Thursday, March 15th, the Windish Agency Party Friday, March 16th, and the FILTER Magazine Party Saturday, March 17th.
Stay tuned for more coverage on the album release and the band’s LA stop in June!
Maps & Atlases On Tour:
3/8 Bloomington, IN - The Bishop
3/9 Nashville, TN - The Mercy
3/10 New Orleans, LA - Foburg Festival
3/14 - 3/17 Austin, TX - SXSW 2012
3/18 Dallas, TX - Bro Fest
3/19 Hot Springs, AR - Valley of the Vapors Festival
3/22 Memphis, TN - Fareveller Festival
3/31 Bethelem, PA - NOWADAYS Festival
4/16 UK, Bristol - Cooler
4/17 UK, London - Garage
4/18 UK, Manchester - Night and Day
4/19 UK, Glasgow - Nice 'N Sleazy
4/20 UK, Leeds - Brudenell
4/22 Belgium, Brussels - Botanique
4/23 Netherlands, Amsterdam - Paradiso
4/24 Germany, Cologne - Gebaeude 9
4/25 Germany, Hamburg - Haus III&70
4/26 Germany, Berlin - Bi Nuu
4/27 Germany, Frankfurt - Das Bett
4/28 France, Paris - Fleche D'or
5/11 Chicago, IL - Metro
5/12 St Louis, MO - Firebird
5/14 Columbus, OH - The Basement
5/15 Akron, OH - Musica
5/16 Toronto, ON - Horseshoe Tavern
5/17 Ithaca, NY - The Haunt
5/18 Boston, MA - Middle East
5/19 Brooklyn, NY - Glasslands
5/21 New York, NY - The Studio at Webster Hall
5/22 Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer
5/23 Washington, DC - Rock and Roll Hotel
5/24 Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506
5/25 Atlanta, GA - The Earl
5/26 Tampa, FL - Crowbar
5/27 Orlando, FL - The Plaza
5/29 Birmingham, AL - Bottletree
5/31 Dallas, TX - Sons of Herman Hall
6/1 Austin, TX - The Parish
6/2 Houston, TX - Free Press SummerFest
6/4 El Paso, TX - Lowbro Palace
6/5 Phoenix, AZ - TBA
6/6 San Diego, CA - Casbah
6/7 Santa Ana, CA - Constellation Room
6/8 Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour
6/9 San Francisco, CA - Bottom of the Hill
6/11 Portland, OR - Bunk Bar
6/12 Vancouver, BC - Media Club
6/13 Seattle, WA - Crocodile Cafe
6/15 Boise, ID - Neurolux
6/16 Salt Lake City, UT - Kilby Court
6/17 Denver, CO - Hi Dive
6/18 Omaha, NE - Waiting Room
6/19 St Paul, MN - Amsterdam Hall
