The Marías was born from the meeting, in Los Angeles, of María Zardoya and Josh Conway. The American singer of Puerto Rican origin and the drummer first formed a couple, then the indie pop group with guitarist Jesse Perlman and keyboardist Edward James. Their second album, “Submarine,” is a classy breakup record that delves into dream pop, electro and psychedelic ambiances with songs in English and Spanish. María Zardoya tells us about it.
The end of your relationship with Josh could have sounded the death knell for the group. How did you avoid this pitfall?
After we broke up, we thought the band was going to break up. I had even prepared a press release to this effect. And then we all went to therapy, group and individual. I also did couples therapy with Josh. We came to the conclusion that we all loved making music together and wanted to continue.
Is it complicated to express your feelings about this breakup in your texts while continuing to work with your ex?
All the songs are autobiographical so yes, it was very complicated. I didn’t want to hurt Josh but at the same time wanted to be as honest as possible. At first, he took it badly and left to travel alone in Europe. He came back with a new vision of things and didn’t want me to censor myself. We had to learn to live with the embarrassing aspects of this situation.
Your music evokes cinematic atmospheres. Are you movie buffs?
I’m the only one in the group who is. I always thought I would end up working in this industry. I studied cinema at university and always loved putting together a visual universe in harmony with music. When I write songs, I see images in my head.
Did you suffer while shooting the video for “Lejos de Ti”?
Thoroughly. We shot it in the middle of a blizzard, on top of a mountain. I was freezing but I wanted to be naked in the snow, like I was reborn. Right before filming, I wondered if I was making a mistake and I was going to suffer a hypothermia attack. My hands and feet were blue and I was shivering but I didn’t run away.
Singing in English and Spanish, was that obvious to you?
Yes, because I grew up listening to music in both languages. I’m Latina but I was raised in Snelville, Georgia (editor’s note: southeastern United States). I went through an identity crisis because of that. It’s also important in terms of representation because I probably wouldn’t be making music today if other artists before me hadn’t inspired me. I think of Ximena Sariñana or Shakira who sang in English and Spanish, and lived the experience of belonging to two cultures.
