A rootsy singer/songwriter, Nashville-based
Briston Maroney mixes an earnest folksiness with a '90s-style indie rock melodicism. Following a handful of singles, he gained acclaim at the end of the 2010s for a pair of EPs before making his full-length debut with 2021's
Sunflower.
Born in Kennesaw, Georgia and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee,
Maroney began writing music in his teens, listening to a mix of classic rock, folk, and indie rock including
John Prine,
Jim Croce, and
John Mayer, as well as the
White Stripes and
Kings of Leon. While still in his teens, he successfully auditioned for American Idol and made it as far at the Top 30 before getting cut. After high school, he moved to Los Angeles, where he continued to develop his sound. He ultimately landed in Nashville, where he drew early fans in 2017 with songs like "Hangin' Around," "Virginia," and "It's Not My Fault. These singles laid the groundwork for the release of his 2018
Carnival EP. The album gained critical buzz and helped build interest in
Maroney. However, he subsequently found himself in rehab in 2019 and lived with his mother in Florida for a time while reevaluating his career. He eventually moved back to Nashville and in May of 2019, issued his second EP,
Indiana, which included the song "Caroline."
Maroney's full-length debut,
Sunflower, was released in early 2021 and featured production from
John Congleton. ~ Matt Collar