Backstory:
Ordinary Reading was formed in the dorm rooms of Berkeley University in 2009 when the roommates discovered their shared passion for music. Samuel Graves, a literature major, and Josephine “Jo” Baxter, a philosophy student, began writing songs together during their study breaks. Drawing from their academic backgrounds, they crafted lyrics that told stories and provoked thought, setting them to music that was a blend of their diverse influences. The band’s name, Ordinary Reading, was inspired by their love for literature and their belief in turning the mundane into something beautiful.

Genre:
Indie Folk-Rock

Title:
“Paper Wings”

Full Song Lyrics:
(Verse 1: G-C-D)
My heart was a book, dusty and unread,
Gathering thoughts, a story unsaid,
She came around, with a smile so bright,
Opened me up, gave me flight.

(Chorus: Em-D-C-G)
She gave me paper wings and a poet’s heart,
Bound in a tale, she was my art,
In the rhythm of words, we began to sing,
With love as the wind beneath my paper wings.

(Verse 2: G-C-D)
Beneath her gaze, my chapters unfurled,
In the whispers of love, our own world,
In the rustle of pages, our stories blend,
Bound in the ink, our love won’t end.

(Chorus: Em-D-C-G)
She gave me paper wings and a poet’s heart,
Bound in a tale, she was my art,
In the rhythm of words, we began to sing,
With love as the wind beneath my paper wings.

(Bridge: A-C-A-C)
With every word, with every stroke,
In every line, in the love we evoke,
With paper wings, in the sky we soar,
In our tale, forevermore.

(Chorus: Em-D-C-G)
She gave me paper wings and a poet’s heart,
Bound in a tale, she was my art,
In the rhythm of words, we began to sing,
With love as the wind beneath my paper wings.

(Finale: G-C-D-G)
With words as our wings, in the sky we dance,
In the ordinary reading, we found our chance,
Bound in a tale, she was my art,
She gave me paper wings and a poet’s heart.

Bands Favorite Fan:
The band’s favorite fan is a woman named Emily Lawrence. Emily is a librarian who stumbled upon Ordinary Reading when she was looking for music to play during a reading event at her library. She instantly fell in love with their music and began following their journey. As a testimonial, Emily says, “Ordinary Reading’s music is like a good book. It’s a comforting escape, filled with beautiful stories and emotions. Their music has this unique ability to touch your soul and make you feel understood.”