Los Angeles indie rockers Hand Drawn Maps confront unhealthy habits and the vicious cycle of substance abuse on “Everybody Knows,” a slick rock track with an urgent undertone. A daring duo made up of friends Stewart Crichton and Blake Baldwin, Hand Drawn Maps are never compelled to shy away from heavy topics or touchy situations.
“When it comes down to it, this song is sort of about a dysfunctional relationship, whether that be with yourself, someone else, or a substance,” Crichton explains. “A lot of our songs deal with substances, but this one calls that out in a more direct way.”
“I think there is a little but if an f- you buried in this song,” Baldwin admits. “I’ve always pictured it as dealing with someone who has a bunch of negativity going on, and they might not even be aware of it themselves, but everyone around them knows what’s up. Sort of a call out like, ‘Hey, you’re not fooling anyone. We know your game.’”
The vulnerable track draws from Crichton’s own experiences with drug dependency in 2012 – after his recovery, he started performing as Hand Drawn Maps and soon recruited childhood friend Baldwin to form a duo. They’ll soon be releasing their debut EP, which they recorded with producer and engineer Steve Ornest in Redondo Beach, California.
Alongside the single, Hand Drawn Maps released a live performance video they filmed at Total Access Recording, where they made the upcoming EP. The duo is joined by bass guitarist Evan Vine, keyboardist John German, and percussionist Rob Humphreys.
You can find “Everybody Knows” on your favorite streaming services now, and get to know Hand Drawn Maps on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and their website!
