How My Music Maps Tell a Story, Not Just Show the Way-MikeBellMaps

How My Music Maps Tell a Story, Not Just Show the Way

Mike Bell

When I design one of my music maps, I’m not merely plotting out who played on which album. I’m constructing a visual story.

mike bell muisc map tube maps of bands

Every album serves as a station, reflecting a point on the band’s timeline, and every musician represents a thread woven through the band’s history. The outcome functions on two levels: it aids in navigating a complex discography while also narrating the band’s evolution throughout time.

A Story You Can Follow

Every map is created from thorough research. I record every credited musician and guest artist, album by album. That data then transforms into a visual narrative:

Albums serve as chapters in the band’s narrative.
• Lineups evolve, musicians come and go — and you can witness it all unfold.
• Guest artists underscore pivotal creative moments.
• The entire journey progresses through time, from early releases to the latest work.

It’s a way of reliving the band’s legacy — not just reading about it, but seeing how it took shape.

A Map for Music Fans

At the same time, these are practical reference tools. Want to know who played bass on that third album? Or which records a particular drummer appears on? It’s all there. The maps are structured so you can instantly spot:

• Where each album sits in the band’s timeline
• Which musicians were involved at each stage
• How the sound and lineup evolved over the years.

Just like a tube map helps you navigate a city, mine enables you to find your bearings in a band’s discography.

Telling the Full Story

The power of these maps lies in how they unite storytelling and structure. Knowing a band’s discography is one thing; witnessing it unfold in a way that connects the music, the people, and the journey is another. That’s what I strive for in every print I create.

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Mike Bell creator of MikeBellMaps at Olympia Top Drawer Trade Show 2025

About the Author – Mike Bell

Hi, I’m Mike Bell, creator of Mike Bell Maps. As a show and event designer, I turned to designing unique underground-style maps of band histories and film plots during the lockdowns.

These maps keep me creative, active, and connected. Despite setbacks, such as the discontinuation of promising treatments for my low-key neurological condition, I push forward through my work and fitness.

From my studio in Lewes, I find joy in meeting people who love my maps, turning my energy into art that resonates with them.

SEE THE MAPS