The Marías Submerge San Diego Into Second Album Submarine

Photo by Tallulah Totten

Words & Images by Tallulah Totten

With nearly 10,000 fans in attendance between two nights, indie pop band The Marías transported their San Diego audience into the world of their sophomore album, “Submarine” With vivid visuals and mind melting sounds, this concert is surely one the crowd will remember.

The band was originally cofounded after members Maria Zardoya and Josh Conway met at a gig at the Kibitz Room (LA) in 2016 where Zardoya was singing and Conway was running sound. Soon after pairing up, they added close friends Jesse Perlman (guitar) and Edward James (keys), and The Marías took form. Starting off strong with the release of two EP’s “Superclean Vol. I” and “Superclean Vo. II,” The Marías established their own, signature sound. Blending together an airy mix of Spanish and English vocals, melodic guitars and lush bass lines, the band created an excitement around the distant arrival of what would be their first album, Cinema. To no one's surprise, their first album did not disappoint, housing several (of what would become) “classics” for the band. Containing more unique arrangements and dreamy vocals, the album propelled The Marías further into stardom and gained them an even bigger audience. 

After finally being able to embark on a tour for Cinema, the band was selling out venues and playing Coachella and Lollapalooza. After the band's Cinema “era” had concluded, they got to work on what would be their second album. Going by the title of Submarine, The Marías second album would focus on feelings of isolation, uncertainty, and healing. 

Submarine proves to be The Marías’ most honest and painstaking work to date. With songs such as “Sienna” pondering on a concluded relationship’s “could have beens” and “No One Noticed” focusing on Zardoya’s once extreme feelings of isolation and uncertainty of the band’s future–the honesty adds to the vulnerability of Submarine. With striking visuals and vivid lyrics painting light for a strong live show, I knew the Submarine tour wouldn’t disappoint. Opening with flickering searchlights and sonar pings, audience members were instantly immersed into the atmosphere of Submarine. Starting off strong with “Hamptons,” The Marías got the crowd warmed up and bouncing as they anticipated what was yet to come. The Marías balanced their set with a mix of songs containing great fervor and longing and love-hazed ballads from the band’s past. 

Of course I couldn’t exclude the mention of the band's seamless mashup of “Ruthless,” “Lovefool,” (originally by The Cardigans), and “Care For You,” that left their audience going wild. “Heavy” was performed not too soon after. A song off the band’s first album, Cinema, that has gained even more popularity since its initial release due to its resurfacing as a trending sound on Tik Tok–an established band’s worst fear and unexpected pleasure.

The band played their rendition of Bad Bunny’s “Otro Atardecer” as Zardoya walked off stage and made her way through the rows of fans. Giving the whole venue a chance to get up close and personal to the singer they hold so dear. Once returning to the stage, the band performed songs “Echo,” “Hush,” and (my personal favorite) “Paranoia,” before leaving only to return for the encore.  

Although many concert goers these days aren’t big on fake-out encores, this encore was something to behold. Instead of returning to the stage in a casual fashion, our attention is drawn back to the stage where Zardoya is illuminated by the dreamy glow of their circular backdrop. Except she isn’t just singing, she’s slowly submerging herself into a clear bathtub filled with water. No doubt a nod to the album's aquatic theme, fans were left in awe of her elegant entrance back to the stage. After Zardoya submerges herself so gracefully into the body of water, the audience’s attention is directed back to the band as an interlude is played and Zardoya quickly changes into her final outfit for the night. A couple of songs later and the band lands on their final song of the night “All I Really Want Is You.” The tranquil love song is undoubtedly the only way to end a live show in true María's fashion.

Click here to see more images from the night!

Listen to The Marías new album Submarine below

Keep up with The Marías here