Short Bio:
Singer/songwriter Maria Sebastian plays originals inspired by artists like Aimee Mann, Jason Isbell, Lucinda Williams, John Prine, and Freedy Johnston and covers by…whelp…that's a lonnnng list.
She's known in some circles for her ability to impersonate many artists, and in others for her uniqueness and humor as a writer and storyteller.
She has toured with 10,000 Maniacs and opened 8 shows for The Byrds' Roger McGuinn among dozens of others she opened for (Vance Gilbert, Richie Havens, Collective Soul, Jay Leno….).
Maria was inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame in 2021. Today, she plays in various lineups you can read about on the homepage of her website, mariasebastian.com.
Longer Bio:
Buffalo-based Singer / Songwriter Maria Sebastian is mostly known for her versatility playing indie folk, alternative rock, classic country / Americana, American songbook / classic pop / and jazz, as well as her own original music as a singer/songwriter inspired mostly by writers like Aimee Mann, John Prine, Lucinda Williams, Kathleen Edwards, and Freedy Johnston.
Maria has released 9 CDs, many singles, and has opened for dozens of international acts in various genres. She has also recorded with many of their members, most notably writing, recording, and performing from 1996-2001 with famed Steve Miller Band (others) drummer Gary Mallaber and ex Red Hot Chili Pepper guitarist Jack Sherman.
She has earned 18 Buffalo and international music awards and has had music placed in television and film. Maria opened 8 shows for Roger McGuinn of The Byrds, and a few for folk favorite Vance Gilbert, and in 2010/11, she toured parts of the US with 10,000 Maniacs as an opening act, backing vocalist, and rhythm guitarist.
Her 2009 CD, Yellow Envelope, has earned her praise among all it has been passed on to, including The Hudson Valley’s Daily Freeman (“Sebastian has a great record on her hands here.”)
Maria's favorite new recordings come from an indie rock collaboration with sound engineer and bassist Marc Hunt, now available on Bandcamp and available at your favorite distributor under the name Adam Insult & The Injuries.
Maria was inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame in 2021. Today, she has various lineups you can read about on the homepage of website, mariasebastian.com.
“Maria's writing is both spooky and bold, and the sound of her voice will make you leave your comfortable bed and go sleep in the woods. She haunts you like that.”
— Author/Filmmaker Joel Gardner (Son of John Gardner)
Inquiries
“I wish you had opened for me last night! I love your voice.”
— Roger McGuinn (The Byrds) -- before our first show together
“A few weeks ago I played on a triple bill with Bibi Farber and Maria Sebastian who sings 'falling out of love ain't as easy as falling in but you're pretty good at it!' What a great line! ! If you haven't heard her cd, 'Yellow Envelope' please do: Made me proud to be a 'singer-songwriter' an icky sweet term...we kick ass. Pure sweet inspiration.”