Maps of the Night Sky

Behind the guises of what we collectively consider “real,” the invisible chemical chaos that is the truth flows as absolutely as the emotions in our bodies. It is these dual realities, the known and unknown, that Toronto’s Maps of the Night Sky roam with open eyes, breathing in the dawns and dusks and letting the bullshit fall by the wayside.

Formed in 2002, Maps of the Night Sky’s self-titled debut full-length follows through on the tender promise of their critically acclaimed 2004 EP, Twilighters, and continues their pursuit of literate, penetrating lyrics and modest, engaging indie rock. Recorded at Chemical Sound Studios and the band’s own Tinshop Recorders, the album casually cascades between achingly barebone guitar treks (‘Compression Applies’, ‘Islands’), crowd-moving hip-shakers (‘We Were Young’, ‘Listen to God’), and piano-led dirges drowned in darkest night (‘When Monologues Fail’) with simple grace and firey passion. Laying back and letting Maps of the Night Sky pass over you is akin to being paid a visit from an old friend—deeply personal, chivalrous and considerate. There are no attempts at grandeur, no need to try to impress. Just straight tunes and straight talk—the meat without the fat, the hearts open and struggles discussed articulately, comfortably, naturally…

Part of this debut’s soulful essence, deep charm and wide lyrical scope was the result of chief songwriter Ray Cammaert’s month-long stay in an isolated house in BC’s Yalakom Valley in early 2005. This feeling of laid-back solitude and determined contemplation fuels Maps of the Night Sky’s dream-like aesthetic, meticulously articulated by the band (Wes Gerbrandt on bass, Dean Bentley on drums; Ray handled vocals, guitars, piano and organ). Shortly after the album was finished, Isaac Cull joined the band on keyboards.

Maps of the Night Sky will be released May 23, 2006 on the bands’ Locust Mount label with touring to follow.