Not For Radio is the newly created solo project of Maria Zardoya, widely known for being the lead singer of the band The Marías. Within Not For Radio (NFR), Maria explores music in a more personal and independent way. The name of the project itself suggests that its music does not follow typical strict industry rules, such as being for radio play. NFR allows Zardoya to experiment freely with her sound and lyrics, showing a more moody, emotional, and true side of Maria.
By separating herself from the group “The Marias”, through Not For Radio Maria Zardoya has full artistic control over what music she makes. With this extensive freedom, it allows her to be more intimate compared to her well known band work. Although, similarly to her band, Marias vocals continue to be soft and subtle while the music itself creates a reflective and emotional feeling.
Continuing on with the discussion of sound, in NFR’s debut album, “Melt”, the instrumentals are quiet, ethereal, and atmospheric. Layering gentle melodies with personal lyrics over top. Instead of loud, thoroughly produced tracks, the music feels more thoughtful, like a creation straight from Zardoya’s mind. It entrances listeners and makes their minds focus more closely on the lyrics and emotions rather than disguising it with an upbeat track. The songs on Melt, such as “Magnet”, “Puddles”, and “Back To You” feel like personal moments shared with listeners. Many fans admire the vulnerability and sincerity of this album.
With the success of her first solo album, Maria was quick to announce the “Winter In The Garden Tour”. The tour spans across a select amount of North American theaters, such as in Oakland, Chicago, Brooklyn, San Antonio, and Los Angeles. Tickets were quick to sell out, and Maria could not contain her appreciation once the tour took off in January, stating, “…it feels so surreal to be in this beautiful theater, playing these songs for you guys”. As of writing this, Zardoya is currently still touring and putting on a beautiful show filled with delicate performances.
Not For Radio works as an outlet to express Maria Zardoya’s individuality, as it shows independency and how she can create on her own outside of a band. Allowing her creative vision to flow more deeply. While the creation of Not For Radio was a large artistic risk, it didn’t matter for Maria. Not For Radio is not about popularity, it is about pushing those artistic boundaries and making music with true meaning. Fans are excited to see what’s to come in the future.