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Maria Taylor

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Maria Taylor performs "A Good Start"

Maria Taylor is a prime yet often underrated voice in the Omaha, Nebraska music scene. As one half of the late lamented Azure Ray and collaborator to some of Bright Eyes’ and Now It’s Overhead’s best moments, Taylor has cut a distinctive cloth for herself with a painfully honest voice that echoes Carole King and Laura Nyro. After gaining mass recognition with Azure Ray, Taylor crafted her first solo album for Saddle Creek Records, 11:11. An album that swirls between acoustic folk and electronic dream pop, 11:11 was a massive critical success, all but eclipsing her previous work. Now two years later Taylor has returned with the release Lynn Teeter Flower (Saddle Creek), which is a culmination of songs written during breaks from her almost constant touring. Named after a family friend, Lynn Teeter Flower produces a very organic sound and is as good, if not better than 11:11. The album features contributions from Taylor’s brother Macey (bass) and sister Kate (keyboard) as well as Bright Eyes’ Conor Oberst, who co-wrote and added vocals for the track “The Ballad Of Sean Foley.” Maria Taylor performs at Mohawk Place on Tuesday, and local support comes from All Kinds Of Liars and Ellen West, who’ll open the show.

Tuesday, March 20 at 8PM. Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk Pl. (855-3931) www.mohawkplace.com