Meet The Marias members: Maria, Josh, Jesse, and Edward
The Marias members are Maria Zardoya, Josh Conway, Jesse Perlman, and Edward James. The band, based in Los Angeles, was formed in 2016 by Maria and her partner, Josh. The band was named after its lead vocalist, Maria, and is known for infusing its music with jazz percussion, guitar riffs, and horn solos.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- The Marias is an indie pop band based in Los Angeles. It blends soul, jazz, and bilingual lyrics.
- The band’s core members include lead singer Maria, drummer and producer Josh, guitarist Jesse, and keyboardist Edward.
- Their discography includes the acclaimed Eps Superclean Vol. I & II and albums CINEMA and Submarine.
- The band's bilingual authenticity and emotional honesty have helped them connect with a global audience.
- The band's name was directly from their lead songwriter and singer, Maria.
- The Marias had a bassist, Carter Lee, who departed in 2018.
About The Marias members
It all started in late 2016, when Maria met Josh in Los Angeles while performing at a local gig. This led to a creative partnership that grew into both music and romance. Their close friends Edward and Jesse then joined. Here are the details about The Marias Members:
Maria Zardoya
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- Full name: Maria Zardoya
- Date of birth: November 21, 1994
- Nationality: Puerto Rican, American
- Role: Lead singer
Maria from The Marias was born in Puerto Rico and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. Her bilingual upbringing is at the heart of her musical charm, as she can fluently blend Spanish and English. Her musical role models include Selena, Sade, Norah Jones, Nina Simone, and Julieta Venegas.
Under her leadership, The Marias released the acclaimed Eps Superclean Vol. I and Vol. II, followed by CINEMA (2021) and Submarine (2024). Maria's songwriting explores themes of longing, love, and identity.
Josh Conway
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- Full name: Josh Conway
- Date of birth: April 12, 1994
- Nationality: American
- Role: Drummer and producer
Josh Conway is the drummer, producer, and co-founder of The Marias. He is also the creative backbone behind the band's genre-blending music. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Josh Conway from The Marias grew up surrounded by music. In childhood, he learnt piano, drums, and music production.
Josh worked as a sound technician at Kibitz Room, where he met singer Maria. His early love for R&B, jazz, indie rock, and pop shaped the rhythms that define the band. As a music producer, he is involved in the group's sound design and mixing.
Jesse Perlman
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- Full name: Jesse Perlman
- Nationality: American
- Role: Guitarist
Jesse Perlman is behind the band’s smooth, dreamy guitar work. He was born and raised in Los Angeles and had an early passion for music. Jesse began with drums before discovering his love for guitar in his teenage years.
Before joining The Marias, Jesse played in several local music bands and small venues around Los Angeles. He explored different genres from funk and jazz to alternative rock.
Josh introduced him to The Marias lead singer during its formation. His friendship with Josh dates back to middle school, when they collaborated on an early project. His incredible guitar works can be heard in tracks like Carino and Over the Moon.
Edward James
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- Full name: Edward James
- Date of birth: April 1995
- Nationality: American
- Role: Keyboardist
Edward James is the keyboardist and synth player for The Marias. His musical career began at age five when his father received a Yamaha keyboard as part of a phone carrier promotion. This early exposure led him to pursue a career as a keyboardist. James has been integral to The Marias since their inception.
Carter Lee
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- Full name: Carter Lee
- Nationality: Canadian
- Role: Former bassist
Carter Lee is a Canadian-born musician best known as a bassist and a founding member of The Marias. Lee was raised in Edmonton, Alberta, by his former band member's father, who introduced him to music. Although initially into guitar, Lee began learning the bass at 16, using one of his father's old instruments.
Lee joined The Marias in 2016 but parted ways with the band in 2018. Despite his departure, he remains a significant part of The Marias' early recordings. Lee transitioned into a producer, educator, and composer for the Soundfly platform. He also hosts their podcast, Themes and Variation.
What genre is The Marias?
Often described as the “psychedelic soul” band, The Marias blend soul, Jazz, R&B, and indie pop. Zardoya’s soft delivery shifts between English and Spanish, reflecting her heritage and adding to the band's unique cultural fusion. Songs like I Don’t Know You and Baby One More Time show their ability to make covers sound dreamy and original.
FAQs about The Marias members
- Who is the singer Maria's Boyfriend? Singer Maria’s boyfriend is Josh Conway. Maria and the drummer met at the Kibitz Room, a bar and music venue inside Canter’s Deli in Los Angeles.
- Why are they named The Marias? The Marias is named after Maria, a lead singer and frontwoman.
- How long did Josh and Maria date? Josh and Maria dated for eight years.
- How did The Marias get famous? The Marias became famous after their debut EP. It garnered fame first in the Los Angeles scene and then nationally through a tour with the Strokes’ Albert Hammond Jr. and a stint at Coachella.
- Do The Marias know Spanish? Not all The Marias members know Spanish. Maria is the only one in the band who speaks Spanish because of her Puerto Rican roots.
- What is The Marias’ most popular song? The Marias' most popular song is Otro Atardecer. It featured Bad Bunny and was released in 2022.
- Where is The Marias based? The Marias is based in Los Angeles.
Final word
The Marias members are more than just a group; they are a vibe. The band has created a unique bilingual sound with Maria's melodic voice, Josh Conway's smooth rhythms, Jesse Perlman's textured guitar, and Edward James' atmospheric keys.
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Source: TUKO.co.ke
