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Like the blending of form in the mythological creature of the mermaid, Maryama Band’s sound reflects the singer’s Iranian American roots.
Elizabeth Liang
ENTER THE VENTURE Magazine
The echoing voice of Maryama bounces from ear to ear and we’re finding ourselves drowning peacefully.
The Huffington Post
And admittedly, it is Maryama’s voice that makes the song work. In fact, I would hasten to say that her voice would make almost any song work. There’s a tropical, striking quality to her voice, with its lilting inflection, like something out of Greek mythology. The Sirens that sang to Ulysses must have had such voices – voluptuous and alluring.
Stylistically, I would put her in the neo-soul or sophisti-pop category, simply because she incorporates influences from smooth jazz, pop and soul into a unique sound all her own. If pressed, I would liken her to Sade because of the way she uses her voice, which us under exquisite control. Sade’s voice is silky and sensuous, as is Maryama’s, but the latter tosses in a classical flavor that differentiates the two divas.
Randy Radic
PopDose
I am very happy with everything.Hearkening back to music by ’90s stalwarts the Cranberries, songstresses like Dido and Natalie Merchant, and tonal wonders such as Enya, Maryama crafts a sound that’s overdue for a big comeback
Allison Johnelle Boron
ArtistRack magazine
“Where The Mermaids Are” is a beautifully hypnotic track that seduces any of its listeners into a trance. The video is equally transformative with its impressive cinematic quality and show of artistic aptitude. Maryama can be seen drifting through a sea of purples, blues and reds while the worldly strums of a Setar and the enthralling quality of Maryama’s voice pulls you into a reverie. This video takes on the quality of the Sirens from Greek Mythology, and is equally as magnetic as the tale tells. The calming waters and the care-free attitude of the video’s dwellers will have its viewers heading to the beach at dawn to get lost in a million different sensations. The video is symbolic and a metaphor in itself which can take many different meanings depending on the listener. This gives the audience the power to be unique and have their own take on this sound visual world.
Greedy For Best Music
The magic of this compilation is truly in the beautifully soothing voices and mystic language.
Lev Nordstrom
Girls Underground
Iranian-born artist Maryama released her visually stunning video for “Where The Mermaids Are” showcasing her unique blend of jazz instrumentals and soulfully soothing vocals. It’s easy for the listener to get lost in the musical depths of this track. It carries a sense of weightlessness and tranquility, a feeling similar to floating in the ocean.
Aria Silva-Espinosa
Obscure Sounds
Thoroughly hypnotic and haunting, “Where the Mermaids Are” is a beautifully atmospheric builder from Iranian-American (currently based out of Los Angeles) pop/crossover artist Maryama. The track journeys from a relatively sparse beginning, with wordless vocal croons and a tribal-like rhythm procession over jazzy piano flourishes.
Mike Mineo
Skope
This unique blend of cultures has allowed her to craft a unique sound that brilliantly distorts the line between jazz, soul and world music. She now calls Los Angeles home, but her Iranian roots still bleed through in her music in the most magical way. Case in point is her new single, “Where The Mermaids Are,” which will be sure to have you swaying back and forth as you imagine yourself weightless, floating in a sea of serenity.
Skope
SCV news
Sufi, a track from the band’s newest album, “Where the Mermaids Are,” is up for best song in the World Music category. In an email, Mirbagheri says that “Sufi” is about “the duality of being an immigrant and the question of where home really is.
VENTS MAGAZINE
Maryama is proud to feature a multicultural and diverse group of musicians and tell a story of unity and peace.
RJ Frometa
Cultue Villain UK
Maryama creates her sound from all of the different experiences and environments that she has absorbed, leaving a distinct style that feels like it would be comfortable in L.A as well as in Iran.
Matt Foster
INDIE MUSIC REVIEW
On Where The Mermaids Are Maryama calmly sings with a hushed, Sade-like smoothness against a soft-jazz/tropical beat, percussion, and piano notes. A Middle Eastern twang from the stringed instrument called a Sehtar enters near the end of the track, winding with a burnished glow through Maryama’s sinuously drawn out vocals.
Jen Dan
Sensible Reasons
Maryama is exactly the type of inspiration that you need to remind you of the possibilities that this country still holds.
Jabari Kefele
The Huffington Post
Not too long ago, I had the exquisite pleasure of reviewing Maryama’s latest music video, Where the Mermaids Are. I was immediately captivated by her voice, which reminded me of Sade, but with more of a classical essence than Sade’s. So I thought I’d request an interview. She was kind enough to sit down with me and answer a few questions.
Not only is she, in my mind, a true diva, but she was delightfully funny, as well as modest. Truly, I don’t think she knows how talented she really is.
Randy Radic
Almost Real Things
Maryama takes influence from her Iranian heritage along with her extensive music education to create her songs. She grew up in a musical family and has studied music composition, jazz voice and various instruments. Her understanding of music shines through in her songs as they are delicately crafted into a unique blend of jazz and world music. For Maryama there are no boundaries. She combines her passion, knowledge and appreciation for music all into one.