Event

Michael Chapman in Concert

Michael Chapman began his career on the UK folk circuit in 1967.
Signed to EMI's Harvest label, home to Pink Floyd and Deep Purple, he
recorded four quasi-legendary albums. The influential 'Fully Qualified
Survivor' was John Peel's favorite record of 1970, and featured future
Bowie collaborator Mick Ronson. Playing a blend of atmospheric and
autobiographical material, he established a reputation for intensity
and innovation. Further LPs like Rainmaker and Wrecked Again defined
the melancholic observer role Michael was to make his own, mixing
intricate guitar instrumentals with a full band sound.

After the EMI years Chapman signed with Decca's subsidiary Deram,
where he altered course somewhat, adding electric guitar and harder
rhythms to his work. Several albums were released on Deram during the
early to mid 1970's including one produced by Memphis legend Don Nix.

Recording for numerous smaller record labels, and playing the folk and
club circuits, the 1980's was a quieter time for Chapman. He continued
to make recordings that straddled musical genres and pushed his guitar
playing to the fore, but had neither the profile nor sales of the
previous decade. He embraced the 'elder statesman' role and enjoyed
critical acclaim for his self released albums throughout the nineties.

After decades of recording and touring, Chapman remained an obscure
figure in the States until his profile was raised by a lengthy 2009
interview with big fan Thurston Moore in Fretboard Journal. Michael
toured extensively with the late guitarist Jack Rose, and more
recently, with Bill Callahan, Kurt Vile, and Meg Baird. In 2011
LA/Seattle-based indie label Light in the Attic began a reissue
campaign of his Harvest work, and Tompkins Square released the
internationally acclaimed double disc, 'Trainsong : Guitar
Compositions, 1967-2010'.

All this has brought newfound attention to a singular guitarist and songwriter.