Maria and the Coins
Maria and the Coins bundle big-picture pop ambition into earnest, indie sensibility. The five-some distinguished themselves in the Minneapolis alt-rock scene by fusing singer-songwriter-driven pop hooks with the vulnerability and honesty of an indie band.
Frontwoman Maria Coyne's powerhouse vocals are matched with emotive storytelling often focused on moving forward, choosing to find the light amidst the darkness, and learning to be present in each moment. While the writing features nod to Coyne’s pop, country, and musical theatre roots, the music finds its sweet spot behind alternative rock-influenced arrangements. The band has opened for local and touring artists such as Betty Who, Jeremy Messersmith, Delacey, and Forest Blakk. The band’s latest album 'Forward' is available now for streaming and download everywhere.
For fans who have never heard your music, can you pick three words to describe it?! If three words just aren't enough then tell us more!!
Driving-Music-Nostalgia? That's too hard! When people ask us I usually say, its great music to jam along to in the car and sing your heart out to :)
What is your favorite part about being an artist? Is it songwriting, performing, recording, something else?) Tell us why.
For me it's constantly changing-- some years it's being in the studio, sometimes is being in front of an audience and the electric energy that circulates between all of us on stage. But most recently, the part I have enjoyed the most is connecting with fans and hearing their stories about the role our songs have played in their lives. There's no greater feeling than knowing that something you created helped someone through a hard time or brought them joy :)
Can you tell us what being in the recording studio is like for you?
The GREATEST feeling! Studio time for us is a mixture of creating music, cheering each other on, eating snacks, and generally goofing off. The best part is being in the studio all together and just seeing an idea become an entire song little by little and building off of each other's energy and ideas!
Okay, this a fun question. When you are not doing music, what else do you enjoy doing?
This may not be the most exciting answer, but what I love most is just hanging out at home, having friends and family over and just sitting around and talking for hours. I also enjoy doing puzzles and watching Disney movies A LOT :)
Who do you admire most in the music scene today and why?
I have admired Sara Bareilles for a long time- her songwriting, her voice, the different kinds of projects she's worked on, and her passion and commitment to the many organizations and causes she supports -- all of it is inspiring. Every once in a while someone will say to me after a show "it kind of reminds me of Sara Bareilles" and I totally freak out anytime that comparison is made.
Can you tell us what song you've written that is the most emotional and describe the meaning behind it?
A few years ago, I wrote a song called "She Looks" that was written for a cabaret fundraiser for The Emily Program which is a treatment center for eating disorders. I combined stories from women I interviewed into song is written from the perspective of a friend watching someone they love struggle with an eating disorder. I worked for weeks trying to write a song that captured everyone's experience. Then one day I reflected on my own struggles and with watching someone close to me become very ill from anorexia - and I wrote the song in one sitting. It provided me with a sense of comfort and healing I didn't even know I needed. When we performed the piece, so many others said it did the same for them. It was the most rewarding experience of my life.
Are you working on any new material right now or what's in the works for the upcoming year?
We released our latest album Forward about 1 week before the world shutdown in March 2020. This summer has been the first time we've gotten to tour the record so we are really soaking up being able to share these songs live with audiences for the first time. In the meantime, I'm definitely working on some new material that we hope to be able to record in the coming year!!
Tell us where fans can access your music.
Stream it on Spotify!