For a decade, Zaq has performed, recorded, co-written, and co-arranged as a full-time member of vocal powerhouse-fronted indie pop quintet Maria and the Coins. Our new singles include synth-tinged pop-rock anthem “Say It’s Over,” loveworn Americana-influenced “Call Me When You Get There,” and “Something Good” — which grapples with anxiety and cyclical thinking (who can relate?) and leans into our influences, combining futuristic production with gutsy guitars and some of our favorite sounds of the 2000’s. Maria and the Coins’ debut full-length, Forward, is a true work of heart and spirit. Featuring twelve carefully crafted pop songs, Forward is streaming everywhere. “Something Good” and Forward handled by Helvig Productions.

Zaq also enjoys full-time membership in high-powered synth-punk sextet Toilet Rats; indie outfit Corzine; the sleek, dark electro-indie pop live band of Nina Luna; classic-rock-influenced Christian Wheeler and His Band; Casket Base (a tribute to Green Day).

Zaq is also Music Director and pianist in a weekly capacity — learning, translating teaching and transposing extremely often.
Zaq conducts freelance session work regularly upon request (see “prior work” and social media updates!).

Zaq is a proud alumnus of Poison Ivy And The People; Rolling Thunder Revue (a tribute to Bob Dylan); and more.

Looking for piano or keyboards on your next project?

 

  • Zaq contributes piano and keyboards to a large number of artists and Twin Cities stages. He also conducts session work extremely often. Reach out anytime to schedule! Quick ear, key experience, and a positive attitude enable a fun few studio hours for you. Most importantly, a successful result that uplifts your art.

  • In just the last two years, Zaq has also provided piano and keyboards to rockabilly band The Rowdy Gents; funk/rock ensemble Woolly Mack; bookish indie rock quartet Pharma Bums; 60’s and 70’s-inspired Jess Morrison; and decades of pop and rock hits with the Radio Strike.

    Zaq has appeared on stage with progressive/funk/jazz Beneath Green; indie darlings Lucid VanGuard; a brief Warren Zevon experience; and in numerous ad hoc gigs and events — galas, parties and weddings featuring new wave and 80’s classics, Mexican pop, Beatles deep cuts, and everything in between.

  • Zaq’s piano and keyboards expertise appears on a variety of additional recordings. For example, incendiary folk-punk album American Poison by Joe Bartel; thoughtful, vintage folk and Americana artist Garret Nasset album March of the Beaten; Minneapolis punk Charlie Doesn’t Surf album Darker Days; Sharikov compositions “Ya Prashu,” “Nea Astavish” and “Ti Nea Adeen”; a recent country-influenced anthem; an upcoming "microsong" project; and more.