Girl in a Coma

Girl in a Coma
Girl in a Coma on March 20, 2009
Background information
Origin	San Antonio, Texas, United States
Genres	Indie rock, alternative rock, punk.
Years active	2006–present
Labels	Blackheart Records
Website	http://www.girlinacoma.com/
Members	Jenn Alva Nina Diaz Phanie Diaz

Girl In a Coma is an indie rock band from San Antonio, Texas formerly on Joan Jett's Blackheart Records' label. The band is made up of sisters Nina (vocals/guitar) and Phanie Diaz (drums) and long-time friend, Jenn Alva (bass). The name is a reference to The Smiths' song "Girlfriend in a Coma". Before they were called Girl in a Coma, they were Sylvia's Radio and Girls in a Coma.

Nina Diaz is the youngest member of Girl in a Coma. There is an eight-year age difference between her and the other band members. Nina is lead-singer and lyricist. Her sister Phanie and Jenn asked her to join their band after she shared a song she had written. Her first show was a week before her 14th birthday. At the age of 16 Nina decided to dedicate her energy to the band and left high school. Nina's decision was difficult. She was very close to finishing but realized that her focus was the band. Nina's distinctive voice and powerful live performances attracted the attention of fans, producers and fellow artists. In 2009, Nina collaborated with Tiësto to co-write the dance track, "In Your Mind." At the start of 2014, Nina Diaz, decided to take a break from Girl in a Coma to head into the studio to record this new solo material.

Nina and Phanie are Mexican American. Although the girls grew up only being able to understand Spanish, Nina has made it her goal to learn to speak and write in Spanish. She has expressed a desire to incorporate ethnic pride into her music. Nina and Phanie grew up in Texas listening to Tejano music, and as such they listened to a lot of Selena's music. they have integrated these cultural elements into their band as well. Phanie believes in the practice of curanderismo.

Phanie's name is actually Stephanie but she has always gone by Phanie. She started learning how to play the acoustic guitar when she was eleven and eventually she learned how to play Nirvana chords. Jenn Alva and Phanie met in 8th grade in art class where they became best friends. Jenn and Phanie, both having a love for rock/punk music and both with the ability to play instruments, started up a band.

The band started with little money and much moral support from parents and friends. It was hard at first, they did the best they could by buying all the instruments and tools they could to begin to create music of their own. Prior to the group's first album, they were taken in by a fellow friend of theirs giving them a place to stay so they could focus entirely on their music.