Welcome to my corner of the internet. I'm Maria Montagnini, and Uncommon Crossroads is my music project and passion. Growing up in the Ohio foothills of Appalachia, my earliest musical language was bluegrass, folk, and Irish music. 

After years of playing and singing for myself and family, I moved to Tucson, Arizona, and connected with its incredible community of musicians when I began sharing songs I'd written. From the uncommon backgrounds and connections of the musicians who helped me craft my sound, Uncommon Crossroads was born. The sharing and creating of music is a crossroads, where paths converge, journeys are shared for a time, and ways are parted for new opportunities to arise... and the music goes on.

The sound and style of music I write and compose is best described as Americana... a genre that blends elements of folk, indie, rock, country, blues, bluegrass and gospel in varying degrees. My particular brand of Americana focuses primarily on bluegrass, traditional folk, and American roots music, coupled with modern rhythms and lyrics.

I write simple melodies about hard things. I love using the simple, predictable structure of folk music as a blank slate upon which to collaborate with others to create complexity within simplicity. 

I'm a student of history, particularly of the music and language of a time period. When I write a folk song, I craft it from my immersion in the word choice, verbal visuals, song structure, chord progressions of traditional folk music. I frequently base my original song on the story within a well-known folk tune, writing from and considering the silent character's perspective. My reimagining of "In the Pines" and "Over the Hills" exemplifies this practice well.

I bring these songs to the modern ear's attention by weaving stories and themes of today's world with intricate beats, riffs, and rhythms. 

I do not believe that folk music is dead, that it is irrelevant. I believe those stories are as real and hard hitting then as they are now. My goal as a singer songwriter is to reintroduce the modern listener to music that was authentic hundreds of years ago...and remains so today. 

I invite my listeners to join me to share this world of music and creation.