Taylor plays several instruments, including the guitar, drums, and piano and has collaborated or performed with such artists as Bright Eyes, Phoebe Bridgers, Moby, Michael Stipe of R.E.M., Joshua Radin, and more.

Taylor started her musical career at the age of fifteen in the band Little Red Rocket with Orenda Fink which released two CDs on Geffen, Who Did You Pay (1997) and It's in the Sound (2000).

The album features Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes, Gretta Cohn of Cursive, Andy LeMaster and Mike Mogis as both musicians and producers.

"[12] On March 31, 2009, she released her third full-length, LadyLuck via Nettwerk Music Group featuring the song "Cartoons and Forever Plans," co-written by and including guest vocals from R.E.M.

After moving back to her hometown of Birmingham, Taylor was unable to write for nearly a year, eventually composing the entire album over two weeks during a break in touring with Azure Ray.

"[21] In November 2017, Taylor joined Ben Lee, Mike Watt, Joey Waronker and others as Daniel Johnston's backing band during the Los Angeles stop of his final tour.

Released May 11, 2018, other contributors included Azure Ray bandmate Orenda Fink, Nik Freitas, Louis Schefano, Jake Bellows, and more.

Flood Magazine premiered the single "Waiting in Line" featuring Counting Crows' Adam Duritz on October 24, 2019.

[28] In March 2021, Taylor was featured on Phoebe Bridgers cover of the John Prine song "Summer's End" for the Spotify Singles series.

Bright Eyes also covered Azure Ray's "November" on the LIFTED Or The Story Is In The Soil, Keep Your Ear To The Ground Companion version.

[31] She joined the band as their drummer during Bright Eyes' 2023 world tour of the United States, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand.

[37] Maria is also featured playing drums in the video for "Four Winds" by Bright Eyes and "New Drinks for the Old Drunk" by Crooked Fingers.