So, if you’ve been scrolling through TikTok lately or caught one of those incredibly blue-lit concert clips, you’ve probably felt the tension between Josh Conway and Maria Zardoya. It’s palpable. It's the kind of energy that makes a room go quiet, even when it's a stadium full of thousands of people. Most fans know them as the engine behind The Marías, the band that basically invented that "velvet-smooth indie" sound we all obsess over. But honestly, the story of how they went from being a "it" couple in Los Angeles to navigating a massive world tour as exes is way more complicated than just a breakup.
They met back in 2015 at the Kibitz Room, this legendary little bar inside Canter’s Deli in LA. Maria was performing an open mic; Josh was the guy behind the soundboard. It’s almost too poetic, right? Maria had just moved from Atlanta, originally born in Puerto Rico, and was trying to find her feet. Josh was an LA local. They didn't just start a band—they started a life. They were roommates, dog owners, and business partners. For years, the "Superclean" era and the debut album Cinema felt like a public diary of their romance. But by the time they started working on their 2024 album Submarine, the foundation had shifted.
The Breakup Nobody Saw Coming (Until They Did)
Around late 2023, the rumors started flying. Fans noticed they weren't posting together as much. There was this shift in the "vibes." When they finally confirmed they were no longer a couple, it felt like the indie world collectively gasped. How do you keep a band like The Marías together when the two people who founded it out of love aren't "in love" anymore?
They actually went into "survival mode." Maria has mentioned in interviews that they had to go to group therapy—not just the two of them, but the whole band. Think about Jesse Perlman and Edward James, the other members. For years, it was "the couple" and then the two of them. When that core dynamic broke, everyone had to figure out where they stood. They literally had to relearn how to be in a room together without the safety net of a romantic relationship.
Why "Submarine" is the Ultimate Heartbreak Record
If you listen to Submarine, it’s a total 180 from the red-filtered, warm nostalgia of Cinema. It’s blue. It’s cold. It’s underwater. Songs like "Run Your Mouth" and "No One Noticed" aren't just catchy indie-pop; they are raw, messy looks at what happens when communication fails. Maria admitted she was "conflict-avoidant" during the writing process. She’d literally hide when things got too heavy.
Then there’s "Sienna." That song is a gut-punch. It’s about the daughter they would have had if they had stayed together. "Ooh, Sienna / Would look just like you." Seeing them perform that live in 2025 and 2026, with Josh on drums right behind her, is some of the most emotionally charged performance art you’ll ever witness. Josh has said it was actually the "easiest" project to write because they weren't trying to protect each other’s feelings anymore. They were just being honest.
Navigating 2026: Solo Projects and New Horizons
The most recent twist in the Josh Conway and Maria Zardoya saga is Maria’s solo move. Under the name Not for Radio, she released her debut solo album Melt in late 2025. It’s a huge departure from the band’s sound—more experimental, less "produced" in that classic Josh Conway way.
Does this mean The Marías are over?
Not necessarily. They’ve been very clear that the band is a family. They just finished a massive tour and even picked up a Best New Artist nomination at the 2026 Grammys. It's weird, right? To be "new" when you've been around for a decade, but the industry is finally catching up to them. They’ve proven that you can survive the "No Doubt" or "Fleetwood Mac" curse without the band imploding.
What Most People Get Wrong
People love to pick sides. They want to know "who did what" or "who ended it." But the reality is just... growth. Maria started doing cold plunges and acceptance therapy. She started focusing on Buddhism and living in the present. Josh stayed the technical architect, the guy who ensures every snare hit sounds like a dream. They outgrew the version of themselves that met at a deli in 2015.
Working with your ex is a special kind of torture, but for them, it seems to be the only way they know how to make art that matters. They are still business partners. They still share the legacy of what they built.
How to Support the Next Era
If you’re a fan trying to keep up with everything happening with the band and their individual paths, here are the best moves:
- Listen to the "Submarine Diaries": If you haven't watched their YouTube series, go back and do it. It shows the actual footage of them in the studio during the breakup. It's awkward, beautiful, and very real.
- Check out Not for Radio: Maria’s solo stuff is where her head is at right now. It gives context to the lyrics she’s writing for the band.
- Watch the Live Performances: Pay attention to the stage design. They use water and mirrors now, which is a huge metaphor for the "reflection" they’ve had to do on their relationship.
- Respect the Space: Both have asked fans to focus on the music rather than the gossip. They’ve given us the "breakup album"—that’s as much of their personal life as they owe anyone.
The transition from partners to collaborators isn't a straight line. It’s messy. But seeing Josh Conway and Maria Zardoya stand on stage together in 2026, after everything they’ve been through, is a testament to the fact that some creative bonds are stronger than romance. They’ve moved past the "drama" and into a phase of mutual respect that most people can't even manage with their friends, let alone an ex.