Milton mapes
Encyclopedia
Milton Mapes is a band that formed in Austin, Texas
in 1999. The band was named after band member Greg Vanderpool's grandfather.
Singer/guitarist Greg Vanderpool and bandmate Roberto Sánchez, both veterans of Dallas’ Deep Ellum music scene, subsequently spent a year in Nashville
compiling songs that would make up Milton Mapes' debut release The State Line (2001). The 7-song CD was well-received by regional press and radio, drawing comparisons to Neil Young
(Harvest) and Bruce Springsteen
(Nebraska).
Milton Mapes eventually evolved into a complete band with the addition of Britton Beisenherz, Chris Dye, and Jim Fredley, homing in closer on an atmospheric revival of Young's Crazy Horse
or Bob Dylan
's electric conversion. While maintaining their roots under layered guitars and textures, the band knew the power of understatement—often allowing the quiet moments of a song to shine as brightly as the loud ones. The band released Westernaire (Aspyr Media) in 2003, reflecting this migration with a heavy dose of guitar-oriented songs. Sounding much less "country" than the title might suggest, Westernaire explored themes of 'the unknown', love, and alcohol—painting with rock-and-roll a hazy landscape that holds more questions than answers.
The band toured through much of the United States since the recording of Westernaire, appearing both as a duo and as a full band. The group shared bills with an assortment of its respected Texas contemporaries and touring acts such as Magnolia Electric Co., Cowboy Junkies
, Chris Whitley
, Willie Nelson
, and The Handsome Family
.
Milton Mapes released its third album, The Blacklight Trap, on March 8, 2005 on the Undertow label, touring in support of the album throughout much of the Spring and Summer.
The Blacklight Trap was released in Europe on Decor Records in October 2005. The band also released an EP collection of B-Sides and Outtakes from The Blacklight Trap entitled Shady Valleys in late 2005.
In 2006, the band regrouped to reflect their changing dynamics and was reformed as Monahans, and have since recorded two albums (Low Pining and Dim the Aurora) under the new moniker.
In 2010, Robert Plant
covered their song "The Only Sound That Matters" from the album Westernaire on his album entitled Band of Joy
.
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
in 1999. The band was named after band member Greg Vanderpool's grandfather.
Singer/guitarist Greg Vanderpool and bandmate Roberto Sánchez, both veterans of Dallas’ Deep Ellum music scene, subsequently spent a year in Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
compiling songs that would make up Milton Mapes' debut release The State Line (2001). The 7-song CD was well-received by regional press and radio, drawing comparisons to Neil Young
Neil Young
Neil Percival Young, OC, OM is a Canadian singer-songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation...
(Harvest) and Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen , nicknamed "The Boss," is an American singer-songwriter who records and tours with the E Street Band...
(Nebraska).
Milton Mapes eventually evolved into a complete band with the addition of Britton Beisenherz, Chris Dye, and Jim Fredley, homing in closer on an atmospheric revival of Young's Crazy Horse
Crazy Horse (band)
Crazy Horse is an American rock band best known for its association with Neil Young. It has been co-credited on a number of albums throughout Young's career and has released five albums of its own.-Early years:...
or Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
's electric conversion. While maintaining their roots under layered guitars and textures, the band knew the power of understatement—often allowing the quiet moments of a song to shine as brightly as the loud ones. The band released Westernaire (Aspyr Media) in 2003, reflecting this migration with a heavy dose of guitar-oriented songs. Sounding much less "country" than the title might suggest, Westernaire explored themes of 'the unknown', love, and alcohol—painting with rock-and-roll a hazy landscape that holds more questions than answers.
The band toured through much of the United States since the recording of Westernaire, appearing both as a duo and as a full band. The group shared bills with an assortment of its respected Texas contemporaries and touring acts such as Magnolia Electric Co., Cowboy Junkies
Cowboy Junkies
Cowboy Junkies are a Canadian alternative country/blues/folk rock band. The group was formed in Toronto in 1985 by Margo Timmins , Michael Timmins , Peter Timmins and Alan Anton ....
, Chris Whitley
Chris Whitley
Christopher Becker Whitley was an American blues singer-songwriter and guitarist.Whitley changed his sound frequently, and achieved modest mainstream success while maintaining a small but devoted following...
, Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie , combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust , made Nelson one of the most recognized...
, and The Handsome Family
The Handsome Family
The Handsome Family is an alternative country band, formed in Chicago, Illinois.-History:The band was formed in 1993 by husband-and-wife duo Brett Sparks and Rennie Sparks and drummer Mike Werner, although the band would later revolve around Rennie, who writes the lyrics, and Brett, who writes...
.
Milton Mapes released its third album, The Blacklight Trap, on March 8, 2005 on the Undertow label, touring in support of the album throughout much of the Spring and Summer.
The Blacklight Trap was released in Europe on Decor Records in October 2005. The band also released an EP collection of B-Sides and Outtakes from The Blacklight Trap entitled Shady Valleys in late 2005.
In 2006, the band regrouped to reflect their changing dynamics and was reformed as Monahans, and have since recorded two albums (Low Pining and Dim the Aurora) under the new moniker.
In 2010, Robert Plant
Robert Plant
Robert Anthony Plant, CBE is an English singer and songwriter best known as the vocalist and lyricist of the iconic rock band Led Zeppelin. He has also had a successful solo career...
covered their song "The Only Sound That Matters" from the album Westernaire on his album entitled Band of Joy
Band of Joy (album)
- Personnel :* Bekka Bramlett - backing vocals * Marco Giovino – drums, percussion, backing vocals * Patty Griffin – vocals, backing vocals * Byron House – bass guitar, double bass...
.