PRESS:

Maria's interview and live performance for Buffalo Avenues. Was edited and run again on Morning Edition (WBFO) on May 1st, 2008.

Check out the latest review of "Songs I Wrote in the Car" (review by Bob Sylvestri at Bestofwny.com). Clip from that review: "I adore Maria Sebastian. As a singer songwriter she is up there with the best in my opinion. As a live performer she has never failed to entertain me whether in a cover band, solo or with her own band."

"Sebastian is one of the most talented rising artists in this area." - Shaun Smith, Artvoice - 2007

"Sebastian is one of Buffalo's best-kept secrets. With material as good as this, that ought to change soon." - Mark Sommer, Buffalo News - 2007

From Camilla and Roger McGuinn's blog page: (Written by Camilla.)

"The previous time we were in Buffalo, Roger and I were walking through the Walden Galleria Mall and heard the sound of a wonderful voice drifting our way. The mall was celebrating something, as malls often do, with a stage and music. An attractive woman was standing bravely on stage by herself singing her heart out to shoppers passing on their way. We stood by a store window and listened to her last song. Roger loved her voice. I approached her and asked her name and contact information telling her that my husband would someday like to have her as his opening act. Later in the evening at Rockwell Hall, I mentioned to Jeff, the promoter, that Roger would like to have Maria Sebastian open for him the next time he played the venue. Jeff was familiar with Maria and made a note of Roger's request. When this show was scheduled, Jeff arranged for Maria to be on the bill. I opened The Buffalo News on March 30 looking for advertisements for Roger's show. The headline that I saw on the front page of the entertainment section was, "THE WEEK: Maria Sebastian is a storyteller with a guitar." Mark Sommer, a reporter we have worked with for years, interviewed Maria about how she became the opening act for Roger McGuinn. She told Mark about the day a woman approached her about opening for her husband but she didn't recognize the musician's name. That night she Googled him and was shocked and embarrassed. She wasnÕt the first one to be caught unaware by this quiet troubadour. Maria was the sparkling local celebrity singing to a happy hometown crowd at Rockwell Hall on March 30, 2007. Roger enjoyed listening to her through the speakers in his dressing room. I enjoyed musicians coming to my "lemonade stand" and letting me know when they would be performing at the mall. There were a lot of smiles leaving the venue that night."

"I wish I wrote it!" - Nashville Songwriter Kim Mclean on Maria's 'The Driver's Side.'

"Brilliant set..." - Amy Wellock, Club Cafe, Pittsburgh

"Maria Sebastian is one of the area's most accomplished singers. 'Maybe It's Just Me' furthers that claim...This woman sure knows how to sing the heck out of a song!" - Bob Sylvestri (bestofwny)

"This is the first I have heard from this Singer/Songwriter and I am very impressed" - Kevin Hosey (Nightlife Magazine)

"Maria Sebastian and her band opened the show and made it clear that the only thing separating them from the headliners was a contract rider and a tub of beer backstage. Sebastian, like (Sarah) Harmer, is an elegant, emotive singer, and her songwriting is strong as well. The band smoked, kicking Sebastian's gorgeous "In Our Bed" square in the pants halfway through the arrangement, and subtly extending the melodic and harmonic possibilities during other pieces of the all-too-brief set. Sebastian plays around town regularly, and you should see her." Jeff Miers, Buffalo News Music Critic 7/7/05

"If Maria Sebastian doesn't soon eclipse Natalie Merchant and any other voice from the Buffalo region, I'll be amazed. Her writing is both spooky and bold, and the sound of her voice will make you leave your comfortable bed and go sleep in the woods. She haunts you like that." -- Author Joel Gardner

* Copies of full length published reviews available.