In September of 2009, Mae released (m)orning, their first release in over two years and the first installment of a trilogy of releases dedicated to making a difference in the band's local community and the world. Not only was (m)orning the first ever release on the band's record label, Cell Records, but its origin was rooted in the band's year long campaign to mobilize their global community of fans to create the change they wanted to see in the world. Through a staggering outpouring of support, the band's online community donated $65,000 and fully-funded a home for a family in need in Newport News, VA in conjunction with Habitat For Humanity. (a)fternoon sees the band continuing that charitable spirit in a partnership with Donorschoose.org, an organization dedicated to helping provide funding for teachers and students in need. The band's unique union with its fans has not only led to the band financing an education project for a teacher in every state, but it has also led to a creative collaboration with its fans. For (a)fternoon, the band invited fans from across the world to contribute to the opening track by recording audio of themselves saying "good afternoon" in their native language. The result is a collaborated cacophony of sound that sets the tone for one of Mae's most musically diverse offerings to date. The "(a)fternoon" CD/DVD includes over forty minutes of music plus a bonus DVD featuring never before seen tour and behind-the-scenes footage, a documentary about the band's year long charity effort, and more.