Album Notes

BIO: Maria began performing live while in high school on Buffalo's West Side. She took part in most school musicals and at 17 began performing at the former Club Utica -- a renowned country club. She later joined various rock cover bands to polish her presence and develop her guitar skills. She performed solo in her hometown while writing and recording with 1996-born original band (later named In From the Cold) based in Buffalo and Los Angeles. The group featured world-class drummer Gary Mallaber (Steve Miller Band, Van Morrison) and ex-Red Hot Chili Pepper guitarist Jack Sherman. Though logistical issues stalled the band's live schedule, their unique Pop/Rock songs are currently being pitched for television and film (clients to date include CBS, Discovery Channel and Hoggard Films).

Independently, Maria has recorded three CDs since In From the Cold, and her latest, Songs I Wrote in the Car, has taken a mostly acoustic turn. "Though I have always loved Garage Rock, and Sugary Pop variations, like Joke, Rollover and Madly shot for on Maybe It's Just Me, I have decided to step off the Indie Rock train for this batch of songs, to return to the music I started writing years before, which is more natural to me, in general."

In 2004, Maria earned her M.A. in English / Media Studies from the University at Buffalo. She is the mother of a teenager and a kindergartner, and she teaches English at various WNY colleges. While she performs live regularly either solo or with her cover band, Buffalo Rising, her current agenda is to place her songs with other artists and in TV/Film. Maria has shared shows with: The Byrds' Roger McGuinn, Los Lonely Boys, The Gin Blossoms, Collective Soul, Sarah Harmer, Jackyl, The Tea Party, Hothouse Flowers, Jess Klein, Vance Gilbert, Honeymoon Suite, Eddie Money, Missy Higgins/Eric Hutchinson, Pilate, C.O. Jones, Scott Carpenter and the Real McCoys, Head East, Harum Scarum and dozens of WNY bands.

Visit mariasebastian.com for more.

Buffalo Music Awards
1993 - Accent - Top New Rock Band
1994 - Accent - Top Rock Band
1995 - Maria - Top Rock Female Vocalist
1996 - Maria - Top Rock Female Vocalist
1996 - Sudden Urge - Top Rock Band
1997 - Sudden Urge - Top Rock Band
2003 - Maria - Top Solo Artist
2004 - Top Rock Female Vocalist
2008 - Original Solo Acoustic Artist

People's Choice Award:
2004 - Top Solo Artist