Mary Timony facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mary Timony
Timony in 2015
Background information
Born	Washington, D.C., United States
Genres	Noise pop post-punk indie rock
Years active	1990–present
Associated acts	Helium, Autoclave, Wild Flag, Ex Hex

Mary Bozana Timony is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. She was born in 1969 or 1970. Mary is known for her unique style in indie rock music. She plays guitar, keyboards, bass, and viola.

Mary has been a part of several cool bands. These include Helium, Autoclave, and Wild Flag. Currently, she leads the band Ex Hex. Her music often sounds deep and a bit dark. She uses special guitar tunings, like DADGAE.

Many famous musicians look up to Mary Timony. Carrie Brownstein from Sleater-Kinney and Sadie Dupuis from Speedy Ortiz are just two examples. In 2023, Rolling Stone magazine named her one of the 250 greatest guitarists ever. She was ranked at number 95!

About Mary Timony

Mary Timony grew up in Washington, D.C.. Her parents are James and Joan Timony. She has family roots from the Czech Republic. Her middle name, Božana, comes from her grandmother.

As a teenager, Mary went to the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. This school is in Georgetown. There, she played guitar in the jazz band. She also studied the viola. Her guitar teacher, Tom Newman, said she was amazing. He felt her talent was something you couldn't teach.

Early Bands and Music

In the early 1990s, Mary played guitar and sang in a band called Autoclave. This band was based in Washington, D.C. Later, she moved to Boston. She studied English literature at Boston University.

In 1992, Mary started the band Helium in Boston. With Helium, she recorded two albums and three EPs. This was between 1994 and 1997. She also worked on a small project called Led Byrd.

Solo Career and New Groups

Helium broke up in 1998. Mary then moved back to Washington, D.C. She began her solo music career. She released solo albums in 2000 and 2002. These were called Mountains and The Golden Dove.

In 2005, she released her third solo album, Ex Hex. She worked with drummer Devin Ocampo on this album. They performed as a duo. That same year, she sang on two songs for Team Sleep's album.

Her fourth solo album, The Shapes We Make, came out in 2007. It was released by Kill Rock Stars. A music video for her song "Sharp Shooter" was made by the art group Paper Rad.

In 2009, Mary started a new band called Pow Wow. The band later changed its name to Soft Power.

Wild Flag and Ex Hex

In 2010, Mary Timony joined a new band called Wild Flag. This group included members from Sleater-Kinney and Quasi. Their album was released in 2011.

After Wild Flag ended, Mary formed Ex Hex. She teamed up with Betsy Wright and Laura Harris. Their first album, Rips, came out in 2014. Their second album, It's Real, was released in 2019.

Since 2018, Mary has been playing bass in the band Hammered Hulls. They are based in Washington, D.C.

Her newest solo album, Untame the Tiger, was released in February 2024.

Mary's brother, Patrick Timony, is also a musician. He plays keyboards for the band The Picture is Dead. The band Death Cab for Cutie even mentioned Mary Timony in their song "Your Bruise" from 1998.

Other Music Projects

Mary Timony has worked with many other musicians and groups. In 1999, she formed a duo called The Spells. She recorded an EP with Carrie Brownstein from Sleater-Kinney. In 2000, she made a CD called Green 4 with Anna Johansson and Erin Maclean.

In 1995, Mary sang on the song "All Dressed Up In Dreams." This was for The 6ths album Wasps' Nests. She also sang for a country music project called Lincoln '65.

Mary worked with Team Sleep again in 2005 and 2024. In 2007, she recorded an album with Garland of Hours. This group included cellist Amy Domingues.

Discography

Solo Albums

• Mountains (Matador, 2000)
• The Golden Dove (Matador, 2002)
• Ex Hex (Lookout!, 2005)
• Untame the Tiger (Merge, 2024)

Mary Timony Band Albums

• The Shapes We Make (Kill Rock Stars, 2007)

Other Band Albums

• Autoclave:
  Further information: Autoclave (band) § Discography
• Helium:
  Further information: Helium (band) § Discography
• Mind Science of the Mind: Mind Science of the Mind (Epic, 1996)
• Led Byrd:
  • "The Dragon #1" on Extra Walt! (1996)
  • "Fantastic Castle" on Stargirl (1996)
• Lincoln '65: "Dreams" b/w "Jellyfish" 7" single (Slow River, 1996)
• The Spells:
  • The Age of Backwards EP (K, 1999)
  • Bat Vs. Bird EP (2008)
• Green 4: Green 4 (2000)
• Garland of Hours: The Soundest Serum (2007)
• Wild Flag:
  Further information: Wild Flag § Discography
• Ex Hex:
  Further information: Ex Hex (band) § Discography
• Hammered Hulls:
  • Hammered Hulls EP (2019)
  • Careening (2022)