Fact-Checking María Zardoya's Age: Inside the Marías Star’s Life and Milestones
The Marías did not form in a corporate boardroom. In 2016, Zardoya took the stage for a solo acoustic set at the historic Kibitz Room, an intimate venue tucked inside Canter’s Deli on Fairfax Avenue in Los Angeles. Working the soundboard that evening was multi-instrumentalist and producer Josh Conway. Struck by her vocal delivery, Conway approached her immediately after her set to talk about collaboration.
What began as a creative spark quickly expanded into both a romantic partnership and a complete live band. Conway recruited close friends and elite conservatory-trained musicians: Edward James on keyboards and Jesse Perlman on lead guitar, later joined by trumpet player Gabe Steiner. The group's dynamic was singular from day one. Conway brought meticulous, analog-warm production influenced by psych-soul and cinematic film scores, while Zardoya brought intimate, breathy vocals that made vast festival tents feel like private living rooms.