Mazes

The Chicago trio Mazes began as a side project for two members of the chamber pop group the 1900s. Edward Anderson, who serves as chief songwriter and vocalist in the 1900s, and vocalist Caroline Donovan teamed with painter/musician Charles D'Autremont to form the group in 2004. In contrast to the 1900s' rich and tightly arranged sound, Mazes take a more relaxed and immediate approach to the writing and recording process, to the point of sometimes writing and recording a song in one daylong session. Along with the classic pop and rock found in their main group's work, with Mazes there are also more folk and country influences that creep into the sound. The results of their four years of recording in bedrooms, apartments, and studios can be heard on their 2009 self-titled debut album for Parasol.