Since their inception in 1998, The Buttless Chaps have played for audiences across the continent and have created six studio albums demonstrating increased breadth and artistry every time. The band places absolutely no limits on their musical wanderings and the result is an imaginative and seamless journey from traditional country to new wave to punk, performed without irony or pretense. Cartography is The Buttless Chaps' fourth release on Mint Records and was recorded at the Hive Studios by Jesse Gander (Pride Tiger, The Pack A.D., Bison). Combining many elements of The Buttless Chaps' ever changing sound, Cartography is packed with acoustic rural and cold war electronic influences blended together in carefully orchestrated songs. Lyrical imagery encapsulates the isolation of the modern world, and the quest to find a little patch of green for oneself. The band has always been muscially torn between the country and glittering lights of a human metropolis.

In preparation for the band's earlier releases much time was spent in a small studio tucked away in the pine beetle infested forests of northern British Columbia. Cartography is the first release since their self-titled debut to be written exclusively in the city, but the seeds still remain that conjure up those feelings of a yearning for visual expansiveness. Joining the band this time is new drummer Dan Gaucher (Fond Of Tigers, Rabnett 5), his spontaneus energy and creativity is apparent throughout the recording, bringing the band together with a more aggressive sound on such tracks as "Coal Grey Sky". Ida Nilsen (vocals, keyboards) rounds out the cast of long time regulars Morgan McDonald (Keyboards) Lasse Lutick (electric guitars) and Dave Gowans (Lead Vocals, Guitar and Banjo). Special guest Tim Vesely of Rheostatics fame makes also an appearance on several tracks.

The Buttless Chaps recently celebrated their tenth anniversary as a band with a concert recorded and broadcast nationally in Canada on CBC Concerts on Demand.