By DONNA BALANCIA
INDIO – One of the fan favorites at Coachella is the Latin-American light alternative band The Marias, who are doing more to bridge the gap between Spanish and English than most of today’s politicians.
The LA-based band celebrated their Coachella appearance decked out in matching red suits and playing to their wide-ranging fans during an afternoon set on the Sonora stage. Maria, the elegant frontwoman with the whispery voice, is single-handedly giving Samba a second life.
Not since the “Mas Que Nada” days of Sergio Mendes and Brazil 66 has the Latin soft rythm sound been so popular. The Marias play some songs in Spanish and some in English, and the fans love them all.
New Album for The Marias
The Marias have a new album coming out this summer called Superclean Vol. II. It’s more of the trademark Latin-American samba-esque sound The Marias ushered back into vogue with Superclean Volume I, released last November. The lead single off Superclean Vol. II is “Carino.”
“It’s a term of endearment,” Maria said about the song, adding that it’s also the feeling the band has for their fans. The band members say they are grateful for their devotees. The Marias attract a wide range of fans, crossing demographics in age and nationality.
Read: The Marias Play Swinghouse Holiday Party
The Marias feature Maria on lead vocals and guitar; Josh Conway, producer-drummer-vocalist; Carter Lee on bass and vocals and Jesse Perlman on lead guitar and vocals and Edward James on keys and vocals.
The Marias say they’ve had success with social media promotions and that’s one of the primary ways they’ve achieved popularity. The band is hottest in the cities, mainly in Mexico City, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York and across South America.
But now The Marias are taking their act to an entirely new region: South Asia.
The group will be playing the 10th annual International Jazz Festival in Kampoeng, Indonesia, next week.
“We’re really honored to be making this trip,” Maria said.
The South Asia trip must have been on the mind of Maria when she got dressed for Coachella: Her outfit on Friday was a sparkly glitter Asian-style dress.
After the Indo trip, the group will get back to working on the album, and getting their distinctive sound into the minds and hands of music directors on various projects.
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Coachella Notes
St. Vincent stole the show on Friday with a powerful set including mostly songs from the new album, Masseduction.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=B-ksjqWVz90
The Buttertones announced a new album and a record release party at The Regent in May.
Kygo was the center of attention as she received a visit from Ariana Grande, who debuted a new song. The DJ also paid a tribute to Avicii, who passed away at 28 years old.
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