The Marias play their song "Ruthless" live in concert before a sold-out crowd at the Starline Social Club in Oakland, California on December 29, 2019. Ruthless originally appeared on the band's Superclean, Vol. II EP in 2018. The Marias are an indie rock / psychedelic soul band from Los Angeles consisting of María Reál (lead vocals and guitar), Josh Conway (drums and vocals), Jesse Perlman (guitar), Doron Zounes (bass), and Edward James (keyboards). Joining them onstage for several songs was Gabe Steiner (trumpet).
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The Marías live tour dates 2019:
July 10 - Atlanta, GA @ Aisle 5
July 12 - Memphis, TN @ Levitt Shell Amphitheater
July 13 - Louisville, KY @ Forecastle Festival
July 14 - Pittsburgh, PA @ The Smiling Moose
July 16 - Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom
July 17 - Toronto, Ontario @ Velvet Underground
July 19 - Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
July 20 - New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
July 21 - Philadelphia, PA @ The Foundry at the Fillmore
July 23 - Washington DC @ Union Stage
July 25 - Detroit, MI @ Deluxx Fluxx
July 26 - Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall
Aug. 1 - Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile
Aug. 2 - Happy Valley, OR @ Pickathon Festival
Aug. 8 - San Francisco, CA @ Nightlife at the Academy of Sciences
Aug. 9 - San Francisco, CA @ Outside Lands Festival
Nov. 10 - Pomona, CA @ Tropicalia Festival
Nov. 14 - Hong Kong @ This Town Needs
Nov. 16 - Huai Khwang, Thailand @ Very Festival
Nov. 24 - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia @ Unlimited Grooves Festival
Dec. 29 - Oakland, CA @ Starline Social Club
Dec. 30 - San Francisco, CA @ Swedish American Hall
Dec. 31 - San Francisco, CA @ Swedish American Hall
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Ruthless lyrics:
Hello, it's nice to see you again
Did you miss me?
We're meant to be friends
But it feels like a century
In my head
If I say something that comes out all wrong
Please forgive me
For feeling this strong
Like it feels just like angels
Hmmm in my head
But darling the truth is
In darkness I'm ruthless
I wanna scream your name
Again and again
Maybe I
Am tempted by all that I see
You're nothing like me
I'm circling the room
In gold and French perfume
But darling the truth is
In darkness I'm ruthless
I wanna scream your name
Again and again
Oh baby, I'm misunderstood
And you’re the only one who knows I could
See it all in black and white
Looking better by my side
Oh baby I don't want to be
The only one that's talking in my sleep
I could be your lullaby
Be my lover every night
Can we fly away?
Can we fly away?
Cause darling the truth is
In darkness I'm ruthless
I wanna scream your name
Again and again
Oh baby I don't want to be
The only one that's talking in my sleep
I could be your lullaby
Be my lover every night
Written by María Zardoya (a/k/a María Reál) and Josh Conway
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The Marías official bio:
The Marías are the psychedelic-soul lovechild of Los Angeles native, Josh Conway and Puerto Rican-bred, Atlanta-raised María Reál. A smooth rendezvous of jazz percussion, hypnotic guitar riffs, smoke-velvet vocals and nostalgic horn solos, there’s something undeniably sensual in the group’s dreamlike fusion of jazz, psychedelia, funk and lounge.
With María on lead vocals and Josh on drums, the couple is joined by two of their closest friends and fellow musicians. On guitar, Jesse Perlman, born and bred of LA, with ‘tones that can melt steel,’ say his bandmates. On keys, Edward James.
Drawing inspiration from both their vastly diverse backgrounds and the intimacy of their mystic Hollywood Hills commune, Maria and Josh often write, record and produce within the walls of their own home.
As they take to the stage, dressed like a dream from another era - María at the forefront, eyes closed, swaying rhythmically in a floor length smoking jacket and bright red lips - it’s clear why fans cheekily compare their sound to ‘having sex in the 70s’ or like ‘pouring cream into coffee.’ Watching them, you feel transported, taken over by a sultry tranquility as you drift into a timeless space.
--Written by Carlotta Harlan