Ground Control Touring

Maria Taylor is a singer-songwriter from Birmingham, Alabama, currently residing in Los Angeles California, known for her solo career and as a member of the duo Azure Ray with Orenda Fink. Taylor is a multi-instrumentalist who has collaborated with artists such as Bright Eyes, Phoebe Bridgers, Michael Stipe of REM, Daniel Johnston, and Adam Duritz of the Counting Crows.

Taylor began her career in the band Little Red Rocket, signing to Geffen at just 16 years old, before forming the indie-dream pop dup Azure Ray in the early 2000s. Azure Ray gained recognition with their debut self-titled album, with songs featured in films and TV shows, most notably the song “Sleep,” a favorite of Taylor Swift. After meeting the band in Athens, Bright Eyes frontman Conor Oberst invited the band on tour and introduced them to Saddle Creek where Azure Ray ultimately released four albums and three EPs. During that time, Taylor also lent her voice, piano and drumming skills to numerous Bright Eyes records.

Maria announced her solo career in 2005 – a change that would pave the way for five critically acclaimed albums and collaborations. Across 8 LPs, Taylor’s critically acclaimed solo work includiesher debut “11:11” which included “Song Beneath the Song” which has appeared multiple times on television including Grey’s Anatomy, through 2017’s “In the Next Life” which included the single “If Only” featuring long time collaborator Conor Oberst, appearing in NBC’s “This Is Us.”

Most recently Taylor and Fink reconnected to release Azure Ray’s first full length record in 6 years, scored music for a Hallmark series, performed with Daniel Johnston during his final tour, appeared on several Phoebe Bridgers’ songs (covers of John Prine “Summer’s End” and “Funny Feeling” by Bo Burnham) and on multiple tracks from Bright Eyes’ 2022 Companion reissue series. She joined the band as their drummer during Bright Eyes’ 2023 world tour of the United States, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand.

In 2024, Taylor began recording her yet-to-be titled 9th solo album with producers Mike Mogis (Brights Eyes, BoyGenius) at ARC Studios in Omaha , Brad Armstrong, and Ben Brodin (First Aid Kit), with arrangements by Nate Walcott (Bright Eyes, Red Hot Chili Peppers). The album is currently in production, with plans for a 2025 release.