The Marías

The Marías Artistfacts

  • 2016-
    María ZardoyaVocals
    Josh ConwayDrums
    Jesse PerlmanGuitar
    Edward JamesKeyboards
  • Formed in 2016, The Marias are named after their lead singer, the Puerto Rican-bred, Atlanta-raised Zardoya María Zardoya. She and LA native drummer and producer Josh Conway met at the Kibitz Room bar inside Canter's Deli in Los Angeles. Zardoya was performing, and Conway was managing the sound for the first time.

    They began writing soon after meeting and recruited close friends to join as band members: Edward James on keyboard and guitarist Jesse Perlman.
  • The Marias' sound incorporates elements of jazz percussion, guitar riffs, and horn solos, creating a unique blend of indie pop and psychedelic soul.
  • Because Zardoya pens her lyrics in both English and Spanish, Conway was quick to incorporate Latin influences to create a more accurate representation of who they are sonically, putting a unique spin on what could've been cookie-cutter indie music.

    "I introduced him to so much Latin music. From just being around my family, the music and the culture, he picked up on things pretty quickly," Zardoya told LA Times. "He knew that it was important for me to showcase this part of who I am. So when he started making this mix of reggaeton and indie psychedelic, things got really interesting."
  • The band are known for their strong visual aesthetic, heavily inspired by 1970s fashion and cinema. Their retro-infused style, both in their music videos and personal looks, add to their distinct identity.
  • The Marías' debut album, Cinema (2021), was nominated for a Grammy Award in the category Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical. Billboard described it as a rarity for an album that features Spanish lyrics.
  • In 2022, The Marías collaborated with Bad Bunny on the song "Otro Atardecer" from his blockbuster album Un Verano Sin Ti. The song reached #49 on the Hot 100, becoming their first chart entry.
  • María Zardoya and Josh Conway were romantically involved when they started the band. They have since ended their romantic relationship but continue to work together musically. Zardoya's lyrics for their sophomore album, Submarine, explore their breakup.

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