Maps & Atlases are rolling into Buffalo today – if you’re out and about you just might run into them! Singer Dave Davison told me yesterday that the band likes to check out the local scene in towns where they play. “It’s always nice to get there early and walk around, you know, see the town and be engaged with the people,” Davison says, “Then you get a sense that you’re really playing for different people.”

This isn’t the first time the Chicago-based Maps & Atlases has played for Nickel City audiences. They’ve done shows at Babeville (which Davison described as “Awesome”) and a few other venues around town. For pre-show grub, Davison says the band is particularly fond of Amy’s Place.

Maps & Atlases have been touring extensively since the release of their first LP Perch Patchwork, in June of last year. Dave Davison described recording the album as “a super fun learning process” and says it’s the result of lots of experimentation. He feels there’s much more diversity between the tracks, and even within each song, than in previous recordings. It took about a year to put the album together, with the help of friend and producer Jason Cupp.

When asked whether they’re working on a follow-up album, Davison explained that the band needs to have a strong sense of doing it purposefully. It’s hard for them to get into the mindset while they’re focused on touring.

Along those lines, Davison offered some sage advice to all you aspiring musicians out there: figure out what your goals are, and stay true to them! He says it’s best to be specific and take small steps to achieve big success. For example, pick a venue you’d love to play in, or a band you’d love to play with, and make that dream come true. “My band was Deerhoof,” Davison said, “and it was a couple years before it happened.”

You definitely won’t want to miss Maps & Atlases with Circa Survive at the Town Ballroom tonight. Doors are at 7.