The music world continues to be captivated by The Marías, the Los Angeles-based band that has mastered the art of blending Latin soul with psychedelic jazz and indie pop. Since their formation in 2016, the group has developed a distinctive sound that resonates with audiences worldwide, but who are the real people behind the music that everyone's streaming?
The Creative Force Behind The Marías
At the heart of The Marías stands María Zardoya, the 28-year-old Puerto Rican vocalist whose haunting voice and bilingual lyrics define the band's signature style. Born on April 17, 1997, Zardoya co-founded the group with drummer Josh Conway and has since become the creative visionary steering their musical direction. Her recent solo venture, Not for Radio, resulted in the 2025 album Melt, marking an important personal and artistic evolution.
Zardoya explained her approach to this new project on Instagram, emphasizing that she created this music purely for the love of experimentation, working far from home and remaining open to whatever creative impulses emerged naturally.
The Rhythm and Production Master
Josh Conway, born April 12, 1994, serves as the band's drummer, producer, and occasional vocalist. The 31-year-old Los Angeles native brings a rich musical background that includes piano and film scoring, elements that significantly contribute to The Marías' genre-blending sound. Despite ending his romantic relationship with Zardoya in 2022, Conway remains fully committed to the band's creative process.
In a Grammy interview, Conway revealed how deeply music shapes his life, stating he would do whatever it takes to continue making music, especially with people he considers his best friends.
The Supporting Cast That Completes the Sound
Edward James, the 30-year-old keyboardist and synth player, has been with The Marías since their earliest days. His musical journey began unexpectedly when his father received a Yamaha keyboard as part of a phone carrier package deal. James told Con Safos Magazine that this free keyboard sparked his passion for music.
James deeply values the collaborative nature of being in a band, expressing his love for the concept of a group where everyone supports each other and shares experiences together.
Jesse Perlman, the band's guitarist from Los Angeles, joined the core lineup in 2016. Known for his smooth, reverb-rich tones and subtle backing vocals, Perlman's expressive guitar work has become essential to The Marías' hypnotic and soulful sound. He has co-written several tracks on both the CINEMA and Submarine albums.
Gabe Steiner rounds out the ensemble as the trumpet player and occasional multi-instrumentalist. Based in Los Angeles, Steiner works as a producer and writer outside the band but focuses primarily on horn sections during performances. His memorable solos can be heard in tracks like Hush and Cariño, and he also contributes trumpet, flugelhorn, and organ parts to studio recordings.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Marías
Many fans wonder if The Marías broke up with Josh Conway following his split from María Zardoya. The answer is clear: while their romantic relationship ended in 2022, their professional collaboration continues stronger than ever within the band.
Regarding dating dynamics among band members, as of 2025, no members are romantically involved with each other. The group maintains purely professional relationships focused on their musical creativity.
The band's name directly honors lead singer María Zardoya, whose presence and creative vision fundamentally shaped the group's identity from the beginning.
When it comes to ethnicity, María Zardoya's Hispanic heritage and Puerto Rican background significantly influence the band's bilingual style and soulful approach. The other members—Josh Conway, Edward James, Gabe Steiner, and Jesse Perlman—are all white musicians from Los Angeles, with Edward James reportedly having Jewish roots.
María Zardoya's former partner was indeed Josh Conway, the drummer and co-founder she met while collaborating on music in Los Angeles. Despite their personal relationship ending, they've maintained a strong professional partnership.
The Marías have successfully maintained their distinctive identity in the indie music scene through focused collaboration and clearly defined roles. Even after Zardoya and Conway's relationship ended, the group remains creatively unified and fully active throughout 2025, continuing to produce the music that has earned them such a dedicated following.
