Miami-based, unsigned, bilingual band MARIA embraces the arena rock sound with an energy and spirit worthy of classic bands like The Who, Pearl Jam, and U2, to modern, anthem-based bands like Foo Fighters, Green Day, and Young The Giant.MARIA began when vocalist Michael Rodriguez & original guitarist Paul Molina, having been friends since grade school in Miami, began writing songs and experimenting in the studio.The name MARIA was selected when Michael & Paul, initially being influenced by the lead character in the classic 1926 silent film “Metropolis”, decided to use the character’s name because it is universal in that it is common to almost every culture and language.After a few line-up changes, the band settled on a rhythm section of Brazilian-born bassist Dameon Holmquist and Colombian-born John Sites on Drums. After many demos and local shows, the band’s hard work got noticed by legendary Grammy-winning Multi-platinum mixing engineer/producer Andy Wallace (Nirvana, Jeff Buckley, Rage Against the Machine, Foo Fighters, Plain White T's , The Mars Volta, System of a Down, Guns N' Roses , Coldplay, etc.). Wallace loved the band’s songs, and MARIA’s classic, international approach to the art of rock-n-roll. Andy Wallace has been a mentor and advisor to the band ever since.In the Spring of 2008, the band’s persistence and hard work paid off again when they caught the attention of Grammy award winning engineer/mixer/producer Charles Dye (Aerosmith, Shakira, Bon Jovi, Ricky Martin, Lauryn Hill, etc.) Dye immediately began working on an album project with the band. After completing the recordings with Dye, the band decided to take a long hiatus to explore other personal and musical projects.During the band’s hiatus, original guitarist Paul Molina came into his own as a music composer and producer for independent films. Although Mike and Paul will be collaborating on new projects and new MARIA music, Molina decided to “bow out” of live performances. With his blessing, the band recruited Argentinean-born Emiliano Lettieri to take over guitar duties.The multi-national make-up of the band has led MARIA to arranging many songs in Spanish. They hope to become the first modern rock band ever to record songs in both English & Spanish and have one album in 2 separate languages. And, more importantly, they would also be the first American rock band ever to have the verbal/media skills to personally and competently promote a record in 2 languages.In January of 2012, the band decided to prepare an internet-only compilation album that includes the recordings from the Charles Dye sessions, as well as many self-engineered, produced, and mixed demos, acoustic versions, and alternate versions of album tracks. Many of MARIA’s eponymous debut internet-only compilation album tracks (Track numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 15, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28) were Co-produced and mixed by Charles Dye. Many of the tracks feature the band’s sound stripped down to its “classic” essentials. The songs making MARIA’s musical voice one that screams of a classic, anthemic, international rock-n-roll individuality.