Album Notes

Maria Carter has been writing songs since she was 10 years old.

"It's my passion," she said. "It just comes out like soul vomit or something."

That passion is the hallmark of Carter's music: meaningful lyrics, driving hooks and a sometimes soft, sometimes growly voice that is unfalteringly sincere.

Carter's acoustic pop-rock/grunge/folk style carries influences ranging from Alice in Chains to Sarah McLaughlin, including Garth Brooks, Amy Ray, Melissa Ferrick, the Foo Fighters, Fuel, and Ani DiFranco. Her guitar work is aggressive and her songwriting is wryly introspective, making for dynamic live performances.

After stints as the frontwoman of several bands, ranging in style from pop-punk to Metallica and grunge rock, Carter is now co-fronting redboy, an alternative indie folk band based in Gainesville, FL.

Carter, 22, has produced 6 full-length albums since she began independently recording and publishing her music seven years ago. redboy released its highly anticipated debut album, "save me," in September 2005.

"It's all been done before," she says. "You just have to take what you know and make it personal. A catchy riff will never compensate for stupid lyrics that don't mean anything to the person who's singing them. You have to tell people the truth or you'll never get any respect."