It’s not everyday we get to feature new music from such a revered British guitarist and songwriter as Michael Chapman. His music has been going through something of a renaissance in recent years helped by some love from the likes of Bill Callahan, Kurt Vile, Thurston Moore and Bonnie “Prince” Billy – he’s toured with them all. Label love has also been forthcoming from Light in the Attic who reissued his Harvest albums, one of the most iconoclastic labels of the British underground scene that was also a home to the likes of Pink Floyd, Roy Harper and Third Ear Band to name just a few.
Then the good folks at Tompkins Square also released Chapman’s 2010 double CD ‘Trainsong : Guitar Compositions 1967-2010′ and a tribute album, ‘Oh Michael, Look What You’ve Done : Friends Play Michael Chapman’ featuring Hiss Golden Messenger, William Tyler, Lucinda Williams and Thurston Moore among others. It is Tompkins Square who are to release the forthcoming ‘Fish’ from which we take our Song of the Day. Listen to Jack below:
On the eve of the Fully Qualified Survivor’s 75th birthday, ‘Fish’ finds Chapman vital as ever.
As far as Tompkins Square are concerned the party is only just beginning… and this is where geographical envy sets in for me. Michael will play Tompkins Square’s 10th Anniversary show with Ryley Walker, Peter Walker and Bob Brown at Rough Trade, Brooklyn NY on October 9th, 2015
Those of you lucky enough to be able to make can buy tickets here.
He will also play select dates on the East Coast with Ryley Walker:
October
08 – North Bethesda, MD (USA) AMP
09 – Brooklyn, NY (USA) Rough Trade
10 – Portland, ME (USA) Waking Windows Music And Arts
11 – Providence, RI (USA) Columbus Theater
13 – Albany, NY (USA) The Low Beat
14 – Northampton, MA (USA) Iron Horse Music Hall
I was going to revisit 1966 when Chapman gave up his post as a photography lecturer to become a full-time musician and his fruitful time at the Folk Cottage in Cornwall…but that’s another story, one best saved for another time.