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Girl in a Coma

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Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Girl in a Coma, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 30 November 2025
Girl In a Coma
Company typeIndependent band
IndustryMusic
Founded2006 in San Antonio, Texas, United States
Headquarters
San Antonio
,
United States
ProductsIndie rock music

Girl In a Coma is an indie rock group originating from San Antonio, Texas, previously affiliated with Joan Jett's Blackheart Records. The ensemble consists of Nina Diaz (vocals and guitar), Phanie Diaz (drums), and Jenn Alva (bass). Their band name is inspired by the Smiths' track "Girlfriend in a Coma." Before adopting this name, they performed under Sylvia's Radio and Girls in a Coma.

History

Phanie Diaz started learning guitar at the age of eleven. She met Jenn Alva during eighth-grade art class, leading to the formation of the band. After hearing a song written by Phanie’s younger sister Nina, they invited her to join; Nina’s debut performance occurred shortly before she turned fourteen. At sixteen, Nina left high school to dedicate herself fully to the band. In 2009, she collaborated with Tiësto on the dance single "In Your Mind," and took a hiatus in 2014 to pursue solo recording projects.

Sisters Nina and Phanie Diaz, of Mexican American heritage, were raised with strong influences from Tejano music icons like Selena, which they incorporated into their musical style. Additionally, Phanie embraces aspects of curanderismo.

In 2006, while filming for the SiTV pilot Jammin, the band crossed paths with Joan Jett. After witnessing their live show at New York’s Knitting Factory, Jett and producer Kenny Laguna signed them to Blackheart Records.

In October 2007, Morrissey invited Girl in a Coma to support him for the remainder of his tour dates. The band has also opened for acts such as Frank Black, The Pogues, Tegan and Sara, and Social Distortion.

They appeared multiple times at the SXSW Music Festival—in 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2012—and joined the True Colors Tour in 2008.

Their track "Clumsy Sky" earned Best Punk Song at the 7th Annual Independent Music Awards in 2008. Later, their album Exits & All The Rest secured Best Indie/Alt. Album at the Independent Music Awards in 2012.

In March 2009, Jenn Alva and Nina Diaz faced brief detention over felony assault allegations linked to an incident outside a Houston nightclub; all charges were subsequently dismissed.

During summer 2010, Girl in a Coma performed at Poland’s Woodstock festival.

September 2018 marked the announcement by Phanie Diaz and Jenn Alva that the band was disbanding following what was thought to be their final show at Taco Fest in San Antonio.

Drummer Phanie Diaz and bassist Jenn Alva are openly lesbian; Jenn is married. The two later formed Fea, a Chicana punk band also signed with Blackheart Records.

By mid-2025, Girl in a Coma reunited and resumed touring activities, including an appearance at Chicago’s Riot Fest. While working on new material, Jenn Alva remarked on the uncertain nature of their comeback: "Everything is just very delicate. We haven't been back together in so long."

Cultural background

Felix Contreras from National Public Radio (NPR) interviewed Girl in a Coma regarding their limited Spanish fluency. Lead vocalist Nina Diaz recounted how her grandparents spoke Spanish around her as an unfamiliar language initially.

In an interview with www.musicpix.net, the band expressed hesitation about being categorized as Latina, lesbian, or simply a girl group. They emphasized their primary identity as a rock band influenced by punk, vintage Spanish music, indie, and rock genres—prioritizing their music over labels.

The group acknowledged Texas-born Selena Quintanilla as a significant inspiration due to her pioneering role as a Latina artist breaking into a male-dominated industry. Girl in a Coma covered Selena’s "Si Una Vez" on their album Coverland and have shown interest in producing an entirely Spanish-language album in the future.

Activism

Girl in a Coma actively addresses social challenges impacting LGBTQ and Latino groups, using their music as a platform to confront stereotypes and oppose discriminatory laws. In 2012, the band aligned with SoundStrike in protest against Arizona’s controversial anti-immigration legislation, SB 1070. Reports indicate that the group was detained and questioned by officials in Mobile, Alabama during this period.

Phanie Diaz refrains from categorizing the band strictly as activists but recognizes their duty to represent their diverse fan base responsibly. Jenn Alva has highlighted the necessity for innovative immigration reforms, expressing disapproval of current policies and urging for balanced solutions. Their track "Hope," featured on Exits and all the Rest, directly responds to Arizona’s immigration law.

2006 documentary

Jim Mendiola, who directed numerous music videos for Girl in a Coma, also helmed their segment of the Jammin series for Sí TV. This 45-minute episode from 2006 showcases the band’s creative process, including songwriting, studio recording, live performances, and interviews conducted in their hometown of San Antonio, Texas. It provides an intimate look at their beginnings and genuine character.

Concert tours

Tour Dates
Nina Diaz Solo Tour June 11–25, 2014
Fall Tour with Hunter Valentine and Krissy Krissy September 10 – October 4, 2013
Fall tour supporting Minus the Bear with Cursive October 21 – November 17, 2012
West Coast Headlining Tour with Piñata Protest and Sara Radle April 22 – May 10, 2012
Album Release Tour October 28 – December 10, 2011
Go-Go's Tour August 2011

Demos and EPs

Gira O Morir Demo (2005)

  1. "Race Car Driver"
  2. "Only I"
  3. "Sybil Vane Was Ill"
  4. "I'll Ask Him"
  5. "Simple Man" (hidden track)

Girl In A Coma Demo [Vinyl] (2005) (Limited edition of 500 copies)

  1. "Both Before I'm Gone"
  2. "Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want"

Hiding My Trail EP (2009)

  1. "Only I"
  2. "A Conversation"

Adventures in Coverland, Vol. 1–3 [Vinyl] (2010, Blackheart Records)

  • Vol. 1: "Si Una Vez," "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"
  • Vol. 2: "Transmission," "As the World Falls Down"
  • Vol. 3: "Come On, Let's Go," "Walkin' After Midnight," "Femme Fatale"

Albums

Both Before I'm Gone (May 1, 2007, Blackheart Records)

  1. Includes various tracks such as "Road to Home," featuring LGBT advocate Amanda Lepore in its bonus video

Trio B.C. (June 2, 2009, Blackheart Records) (48:32)

  1. Contains songs like "BB," "Vino," plus an unreleased iTunes bonus track titled "Davey"

Adventures in Coverland (October 19, 2010, Blackheart Records) (32:52)

  1. A collection of covers from artists like Selena, The Beatles, Joy Division, David Bowie alongside original material

Exits & All The Rest (November 1, 2011, Blackheart Records) (45:03)

  1. Features songs including "Adjust," "One Eyed Fool," with additional iTunes and Amazon bonus tracks such as "Smart (Radio Edit)" and "Hotel"

Music videos

Between their formation in 2006 and the year 2012, Girl in a Coma produced nine music videos. Four videos from their debut album Both Before I'm Gone (2007) were directed by Jim Mendiola and Greg Olliver, predominantly filmed in San Antonio, Texas—the band's home city. Notably, the video for "Road to Home" includes a guest appearance by Amanda Lepore, while "Say" features hand-drawn animation created by Vincent Valdez. The video for “Their Cell” was shot inside Gonzales County Jail.

For their sophomore album Trio B.C. (2009), two videos—"El Monte" and "Static Mind"—were directed by Mendiola on location in San Antonio. The third album Adventures in Coverland (2010), consisting of cover songs, saw a change in directors: Robert Rodriguez took charge of the David Bowie cover “As the World Falls Down,” while bassist Jenn Alva directed “Walkin’ After Midnight,” originally recorded by Patsy Cline.

From their most recent album at that time, Exits and All the Rest (2011), a single video was released for the track “Smart” in 2012.

Both Before I'm Gone (2007)

  1. "Clumsy Sky"
  2. "Say"
  3. "Road To Home"
  4. "Their Cell"

Trio B.C. (2009)

  1. "Static Mind"
  2. "El Monte"

Adventures In Coverland (2010)

  1. "Walkin' After Midnight" (Patsy Cline cover)
  2. "As the World Falls Down" (David Bowie cover)

Exits and All the Rest (2011)

  1. "Smart" (Released October 25, 2011)

Awards and nominations

  • Received a nomination for Artist of the Year from Channel One News
  • Awarded Best Independent/Alternative Rock Album at the Independent Music Awards for Exits & All the Rest
  • Earned a nomination for Best Independent/Alternative Rock Song with "Adjust"
  • "Adjust" also nominated in the Indie/Alt. Rock Song category of the IMA Vox Pop fan poll
  • Recognized by Time as one of the top bands to catch at SXSW
  • Exits & All the Rest shortlisted for Outstanding Music Artist at the GLAAD Media Awards
  • Included in NPR's list of Top 50 Albums for 2011
  • "Smart" placed fourth on Rolling Stone's compilation of favorite songs, albums, and videos
  • "Walkin' After Midnight" nominated for Best Cover Song at the Independent Music Awards
  • "Transmission" ranked #1 on Esquire’s Best Song You Probably Didn't Hear in 2010
  • "Clumsy Sky" secured the Song-Punk title at the 7th Annual Independent Music Awards

External links

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