Tonight Maria Taylor will be back in Athens, the birthplace of one of her first musical endeavors, Azure Ray.

Taylor lived in Athens for four years and said she always loves to come back and play.

“It’s one of my favorite places to play in the United States, hands down,” she said.

“Maria has been a familiar face around Athens for 10 years. Whether in Little Red Rocket, Azure Ray or solo, she has always delighted us with her beautiful voice and songs,” Coley Dennis said.

Dennis handles the booking for Caledonia Lounge, where Taylor will be playing tonight alongside local band Nate Nelson & Cortright.

Taylor’s band tonight will consist of local musicians Michael Shackelford on drums and vocals and Andy LeMaster on guitar, bass and vocals.

Taylor also worked with LeMaster as a part of the band Now It’s Overhead with Saddle Creek Records.

Saddle Creek produces her solo work now, and she has worked with the group in a variety of positions, most notably as half of the Azure Ray duo and as contributing drums and vocals for Bright Eyes.

“Basically, the fact that she has jumped around the Saddle Creek family just means everything she does is going to be good,” said Josh Glickman, a freshman from Roswell majoring in biology and cognitive science.

Taylor said she is very closely knit with Saddle Creek Records, and the musicians she works with are her greatest influences.

“My friends are all so talented – they inspire me,” she said.

Taylor said playing drums for Bright Eyes pushes her to work harder as a musician.

“(She’s) a great drummer,” said Conor Oberst, frontman of Bright Eyes.

In addition to the musical influences from the talent surrounding her, she said she also is inspired by ballet.

“I was a ballet dancer for 16 years, and I think that helped me apply that dynamic to my music,” she said.

“I think it helped me discover classical music and apply that, the melodies of classical music, to my own song writing.”

Taylor also was featured on NPR in March of this year with her song, “A Good Start,” as the song of the day.

Although Taylor has spent recent years flourishing in the Omaha music scene built around Saddle Creek Records, she said Athens always will be special to her.

“Athens is the last night of the tour, so it should be awesome. It will be a party night for sure.”