Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Coyne.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
From an early age, I knew music was the end game for me. From studying classical violin to performing in school and community theatre productions, it was where I felt most at home. Singing was and still is my first love, but it wasn’t until I began writing music in my teens that I really began to think of myself as an artist. I still remember sharing a song I wrote to one of my peers during my sophomore year of high school and the look on her face after I finished playing it. She was in tears, telling me how closely she related to what was expressed in the song. That was the first time I felt the power of creating something that people could relate to, something that people could find comfort or healing in. And that feeling continues to be my north star when writing music today.
Our band, Maria and the Coins formed while students at St. Olaf College. After a song of mine was selected to be recorded for a compilation of original music by students on campus, I started putting together musicians to record the song. Before we knew it, we had formed what would later become “Maria and the Coins” with Sheldon Way (drums), Zaq Baker (piano), and Nick Baker (guitar). I often think back to the series of seemingly random circumstances that led to the four of us playing music together and wonder how we got so lucky. Something just clicked, and we started playing shows together — we were even selected to open for Betty Who in the spring of 2015 when she performed on campus. As with most band names, it started as a joke (Coin being a play off of my last name Coyne) and then somewhere along the way it just stuck. After graduation, we all relocated to the Twin Cities and began playing professionally. After an extensive two-year search, we found our missing puzzle piece, Adam Maurer who joined as our bassist in 2018. Following a successful Kickstarter campaign, we began recording our first full-length album in 2019 and released it just a few days before the 2020 lockdown began with a packed show at First Avenue’s 7th St Entry.
We chose to call our album Forward not only because it was the thematic thread that connected each song, but because choosing to move forward amidst all that life throws our way has become the idea that we most want our listeners to hold on to. I’ve included an excerpt from our album liner notes below for a closer look at this idea that has been such a guiding light to our music-making.
“We chose these ten songs because they belong together as a set. Written over the course of the last four years, they capture this exhilarating time in our lives where we’re not sure what will happen, but we know where we want to go. Upon realizing this, the thread of what brought all these songs together began to emerge. Each song captures a specific moment in time where there was a choice to be made: giving up or beginning again, running away or diving in, drowning in the darkness or choosing the light. Standing still or moving forward.
Choosing to move forward was undeniably present in each song. Forward is certainly never the easier choice. Following your heart even if means leaving those you love. Trusting your gut when the world is telling you otherwise. Saying goodbye when you know it’s time to move on.
But when we choose to move forward, we don’t forget what came before. Instead, we carry it with us. We let go of what no longer serves us, but we hold on to what we’ve learned and those we love. And that love is what guides us, even when we’re not quite sure which direction forward will take us.”
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I would say one of the biggest struggles along the way has been navigating my way through an industry that is always evolving while remaining true to myself and my art. I have had stretches of time where I feel like I’m just treading water and waiting for something to change and having to remind myself that it is up to me to continue creating and working towards my goals. There’s no real roadmap for success in any field, and the path can feel very amorphous at times, especially when it feels like the world keeps telling you no. It’s easy to feel like you’re never making any “progress” or that “success” is so far away. In these moments of doubt, I try to remind myself of how far I’ve come and to remind myself that there really isn’t ever a finish line or a final destination when it comes to success as an artist. All we can do is continue creating and putting our best foot forward hoping that our message reaches those who need to hear it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
While I consider Maria and the Coins to be the main aspect of my professional life, I am also a private voice instructor.
I began building my own business as a freelance voice instructor almost five years ago at age 24 and it has grown into my main source of income since then. Not only has it provided me with the flexibility to pursue my dreams as a performer, but I have found so much joy in helping young adults develop as singers, performers, and artists.
Teaching was not something I originally felt called to do but I now feel like it was always part of the plan for my growth not only as a singer and artist, but as a leader and woman. My voice studio has become one of the aspects of my professional career that I am most proud of. I love working with students one-on-one, helping them achieve their goals and build their confidence. I believe what has made me successful in this field has been the environment that I strive to create for each of my students. It is important to me for every singer to have a safe space where they can feel free to discover and explore in a supportive environment. Singing can be such a vulnerable activity and I work hard to ensure that all of my students feel they can be their most authentic self with me as we work together to achieve their goals.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
The unconditional support that I have been lucky enough to receive from my family and friends throughout my life is what has impacted my success the most. As a performer, we ask so much of the people in our lives – showing up to shows, listening to our music, sharing our content, the list goes on and on. I have been so blessed to be surrounded by such an incredible community throughout my journey thus far. That community is made up of family, friends, fellow artists, and mentors who never cease to amaze me with their love and support.
My bandmates and I have been through so much together and I am always grateful to be pursuing my dreams as part of a team. It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to play music with them. We all believe in what we are doing and that carries us through the highs and lows, the successes and the disappointments and keeps us moving towards our goals.
Contact Info:
- Email: booking@mariaandthecoins.com OR maria@mariacoyne.com
- Website: www.mariaandthecoins.com OR www.mariacoyne.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariaandthecoins/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariaandthecoins
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MandtheCoins
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/mariaandthecoins
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2W0nmsVAw83oDzN3PpAzKi?si=6zSl-85YTiq83WUubQiObA
Image Credits
Nicole Castonguay
Katie Lescarbeau
