Backstory:
Essential Diagram is a band that came together in the tranquil town of Stillwater, Oklahoma. Formed in 2012, the band is comprised of five members: lead vocalist and guitarist Adam White, drummer Patrick O’Hara, bassist Mike Turner, keyboardist Laura Thompson, and lead guitarist Sam Burns. The group met in high school and bonded over their shared love of music, specifically their mutual admiration for indie rock legends like Arcade Fire and The National. Essential Diagram started playing local gigs, cultivating their sound and winning over their audience with their infectious energy and poetic lyrics. After earning a loyal local fanbase, the band decided to take their music on the road, which was a risky move that paid off as it increased their popularity nationwide.

Genre:
Indie Rock

Title:
“Paper Maps”

Full Song Lyrics:

(Verse 1)
[G] Drifting apart, [D] just like the clouds,
[Em] Searching the stars, [C] lost in the crowd,
[G] Paper maps in my [D] hand,
[Em] Trying to understand, where we [C] stand.

(Chorus)
[G] Paper maps, [D] and broken hearts,
[Em] Are we destined [C] to fall apart?
[G] Can we find a way [D] back to the start?
[Em] Paper maps, [C] can’t chart the path of a [G] broken heart.

(Verse 2)
[G] We used to be [D] just like the sun,
[Em] Burning bright, having [C] fun,
[G] Now we’re like the moon, [D] faded and scarred,
[Em] Tracing our journey, so [C] far.

(Chorus)
[G] Paper maps, [D] and wounded hearts,
[Em] Is it too late [C] for a fresh start?
[G] Can we find a way [D] out of the dark?
[Em] Paper maps, [C] can’t chart the path of a [G] broken heart.

(Bridge)
[Em] Can we redraw the [D] lines,
[G] Can we redefine, our [C] lives?
[Em] Paper maps, [D] and lost time,
[G] Can we find, a new [C] rhyme?

(Chorus)
[G] Paper maps, [D] and weary hearts,
[Em] It’s never too late [C] for a fresh start,
[G] Let’s find a way [D] out of the dark,
[Em] Paper maps, [C] let’s chart the path of a [G] healing heart.

(Outro)
[G] Paper maps, [D] and mended hearts,
[Em] We’ve found a way [C] back to the start,
[G] Paper maps, [D] now we embark,
[Em] On a new journey, [C] with our mended [G] hearts.

Band’s Favorite Fan:
Their favorite fan is Martha Gibson. She has been following the band since their early days and has attended almost all of their concerts. She says, “I fell in love with Essential Diagram’s music because it speaks to my soul. Their lyrics are so raw and real; they touch upon feelings that we all experience but often fail to express. I feel like their music understands me, and that’s why they will always be my favorite band.”