Maria Taylor

Maria Taylor

Maria Taylor performing in 2009.
Background information
Born (1976-05-21) May 21, 1976
Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
Genres Indie rock, folk rock
Instruments Vocals, Piano, Guitar, drums
Labels Saddle Creek
Nettwerk Music Group
Associated acts Azure Ray
Now It's Overhead
Bright Eyes
Website www.mariataylormusic.com

Maria Diane Taylor (born May 21, 1976) is an American singer/songwriter from Birmingham, Alabama. She is also a member of the duo Azure Ray with Orenda Fink, also signed with Saddle Creek Records and has played in Bright Eyes and Now It's Overhead. She plays several instruments, including the piano, guitar, and drums, and has collaborated with such artists as Bright Eyes, Moby, Michael Stipe of R.E.M., David Barbe, Crooked Fingers and Nik Freitas.

She released her first solo album 11:11 on Saddle Creek Records on May 24, 2005. Her second solo album, Lynn Teeter Flower, was released on March 6, 2007, also on Saddle Creek. "A Good Start," the first track off Lynn Teeter Flower, was subsequently named one of NPR's 10 best songs of the year for 2007.[1] She released an acoustic album titled Savannah Drive with Andy LeMaster in fall of 2008. On March 31, 2009 she released her third full length, LadyLuck via Nettwerk Music Group featuring the song "Cartoons and Forever Plans," which was co-written with and also features R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe.[2] Saddle Creek Records released her 4th solo album, Overlook August 16, 2011. Paste called Overlook "her best, most animated collection in years." [3] Taylor released her fifth solo record Something About Knowing on October 29, 2013 on Saddle Creek Records. In the Next Life was released December 9, 2016 on her own label, Flower Moon Records.[4]

Biography

Taylor started her musical career at the age of fifteen in the band Little Red Rocket with Orenda Fink which released two CDs on Geffen—Who Did You Pay (1997) and It's in the Sound (2000). The group disbanded during the merging of Geffen with Universal Music Group. Afterwards, Taylor moved to Athens, Georgia along with her musical collaborator, Fink. There, they formed the band Azure Ray. The pair signed to WARM and released their self-titled debut as well as their second album, Burn and Shiver.[5] After meeting the band in Athens, Bright Eyes frontman Conor Oberst invited the band on tour and introduced them to Saddle Creek.[5] Saddle Creek release their following records November EP and Hold on Love. Following the release of Hold on Love, Taylor and Fink began a 6-year hiatus, releasing their own solo records. They reformed in 2010 releasing Drawing Down the Moon and As Above So Below in 2012. Both Fink and Taylor were also involved in another Saddle Creek band, Now It's Overhead with Andy LeMaster of Bright Eyes.

Taylor has contributed her vocals to Bright Eyes, Joshua Radin, Moby, Crooked Fingers, Whispertown, Abra Moore and Nik Freitas.[6]

Taylor's music is often featured in popular TV shows and movies. The Azure Ray song "Sleep" was featured in the 2006 Academy Award nominated movie, The Devil Wears Prada featuring Anne Hathaway.[7] Her song "Time Lapse Lifeline" was featured in the "The Beaver In The Otter" episode of "Bones". Her music has also been featured frequently on the popular TV series, Grey's Anatomy—"Song Beneath The Song" from her first solo album 11:11 was on the Grey's Anatomy Season 1 Soundtrack. Taylor also recorded a new song for the show's 2005 Christmas episode entitled "Christmas After All." [8] She also had a song featured on the hit ABC Family series Greek. "No Stars" from Taylor's album Lynn Teeter Flower was also featured on the prom episode of the CW's One Tree Hill; she also has had a song featured on the series Scrubs. "If Only" (featuring Conor Oberst) was prominently featured during the closing scenes of season 1, episode 9 of the NBC drama This Is Us, when Jack performs pushups with Randall on his back.[9] Taylor plays with the high E-string removed from her guitar.[10]

She is married to Ryan Dwyer and has two children.[11][12]

Discography

Albums with Azure Ray

Solo

Compilations

Appearances

Music videos

Maria's music videos include "Up All Night" from Something About Knowing directed by Alan Tanner,[14] "Matador" from Overlook, "Song Beneath The Song" from 11:11, "A Good Start" from Lynn Teeter Flower, and "Time Lapse Lifeline" and "Cartoons and Forever Plans", which features actor/singer Soko and was directed by SKINNY (Directing Team), from LadyLuck.

Maria is also featured playing drums in the video for "Four Winds" by Bright Eyes and "New Drinks for the Old Drunk" by Crooked Fingers, the solo project from Archers of Loaf frontman Eric Bachmann.[15]

References

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