María Zardoya is no stranger to eclecticism.
The singer-songwriter is the vocalist and namesake of The Marías, a band known for seamlessly mixing and fusing genres and styles. Their music sounds hazy and familiar, a kaleidoscope of dream images; yet, as its work grows and expands, the group maintains a haunting sense of cohesion. Instead of offering a handful of stars, the Marías form a constellation – interconnected and ever-expandingg.
In an interview with The Daily Californian, Zardoya emphasized the importance of retrospective, the bridge between past and present. “I have a tiny little Moleskine that I take with me everywhere, and I’ll write in it every few days because I love going back and reading where I was years ago,” she said. in a low, affectionate voice. “I’ve been keeping a diary since starting The Marías, and sometimes I go back to it, and it warms my heart.”
Over the past few years, the Los Angeles-based band has amassed a devoted following. His previous tour endured its share of hardships, but Zardoya found solace in his songwriting. Softened by the weather, her journal entries offered a form of relief, especially when she shared them with her bandmates.
“It was a cathartic replay and all of us[were]laughing at the dark moments,” Zardoya recalled. “There’s a lot on the road, but I think it’s worth it in the end.”
The Marías are currently on tour to promote their new album MOVIE THEATER, a starry and sumptuous album guided by mood. Zardoya considered MOVIE THEATER as a sonic evolution of previous versions, such as Superclean, Vol. I (2017) and Flight. 2 (2018).
“(MOVIE THEATER) is a bit more synth-heavy, a bit more moody,” she explained. “We wanted the live show to be a bit more cinematic, with the lighting and the overall vibe from start to finish with a setlist. We wanted it to feel like a real experience around the album.
Drawing inspiration from their favorite movies to convey a sense of immersion in MOVIE THEATER, The Marías have internalized their role as storytellers. Zardoya’s taste in movies is as varied as his sound, in a range that includes “Pan’s Labyrinth”, “The Double Life of Véronique” and “Paris, Texas”. Lately, however, Zardoya has found a new obsession.
“I watched ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ on tour,” she confessed. “I’ve never seen this show before, and now I’m totally hooked. But it’s like a guilty pleasure. (His favorite characters are Christina Yang and Dr. Bailey, of course.)
The hectic nature of the tour is both invigorating and exhausting, and Zardoya savors the moments of respite when she doesn’t hesitate between sound checks and flights to different cities. She exudes a strong sense of self-control, an understanding of her limits and the steps needed to take care of herself. Before performances, she takes her bearings with relaxing music, such as Marvin Gaye, Santo and Johnny, Greenflow and Manduka.
“(It’s) just to clear my palate before playing the shows,” Zardoya explained. “Anything that’s relaxing, I’ll listen to.”
Along with her collected demeanor, there’s a quiet fire in Zardoya’s tenacity, which was smoldering long before she performed full-time. When she first arrived in Los Angeles, she worked a litany of odd jobs to make ends meet — from listing her apartment on Airbnb to teaching music at a preschool.
“I worked at a creative agency as a proofreader and copywriter, and I worked at a Spanish restaurant in Los Angeles for a few years. I managed social media for the restaurant and for a few other restaurants,” Zardoya said with disarming ease “I was just hustling…I was doing everything I could to make it in LA because it’s so expensive.”
The singer is still based in Los Angeles and lives with her boyfriend Josh Conway, drummer for The Marías. His close ties to the city proved useful during the tour, especially since the couple was unable to take their beloved pet with them.
“It takes a village to take care of our dog Lucy,” laughed Zardoya. “She’s an Australian Shepherd, and she’s very energetic, spunky and sassy. One of my best friends stays in my apartment and watches over it, but all the neighbors contribute… she’s in good hands.
Once the farm is secure, Zardoya and his bandmates are ready for smooth journeys – both seductive mermaids and nomadic sailors. Throughout the group’s journey, there seems to be a sense of cosmic alignment, as if the details of the past have always been built into the present. the MOVIE THEATER The tour is a labor of love and determination, but for Zardoya and his band, it’s just the opening.
Maya Thompson is the arts and entertainment editor. Contact her at [email protected].
Comments are closed.