Girl in a Coma

Girl in a Coma hail from San Antonio, Texas—land of puffy tacos, Lone Star beer, and the place where Ozzy pissed on the Alamo. Nina Diaz, who was 12 when the band formed, is often referred to as "the female version of Morrissey" and has been compared to artists as diverse as Bjork, Patsy Cline and Morrissey, himself. Her powerful, expressive voice, mature beyond its years, is unforgettable to anyone who hears her sing. With Jenn Alva on bass and Phanie D on drums, this band has been likened to The Smiths, The Pixies, and The Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs.

The girls recorded their first demo with Boz Borrer, musical director for Morrissey in London in 2004. In 2006, they were picked for SI TV's docu series Jammin' where they were flown to New York and had a surprise meeting with their idol Joan Jett. Joan and her long time producer and songwriting partner, Kenny Laguna, immediately on camera signed them to their label, Blackheart Records. Girl in a Coma have opened for The Pogues, The Smoking Popes, Frank Black and The Catholics, The Epoxies, and will be setting out on a headline tour to support their debut album, Both Before I'm Gone, featuring the first single & video "Clumsy Sky."

Naming themselves in homage of the Smiths' song "Girlfriend in a Coma," Girl in a Coma started in San Antonio, TX, with bassist Jenn Alva and drummer Phanie Diaz, two best friends who bonded thanks to a shared interest in Nirvana and the Smiths. The duo endured several failed experiments in both band lineups and musical styles before discovering that Nina Diaz, Phanie's younger sister, possessed talent as a singer, guitarist, and songwriter. Though Nina was only 12 when she performed her first song for them, both Alva and Diaz recognized her potential. After recruiting the younger Diaz, Girl in a Coma spent five years writing, performing, and touring before coming to the attention of label reps and tour managers in the summer of 2004. One of the managers sent a homemade demo tape to Morrissey music director Boz Boorer; after hearing it, Boorer invited the trio to London to record its first demo. Soon after returning, Girl in a Coma found themselves featured in a television documentary about emerging Latino bands. As part of the show, the group went to New York City for a show at the Knitting Factory and a surprise meeting with Joan Jett. While on camera, Jett and her producing partner Kenny Laguna praised the trio's set -- and invited the band to join the Blackheart Records label. Girl in a Coma accepted and released their debut album, Both Before I'm Gone, in May 2007. ~ Katherine Fulton, All Music Guide