Madi Diaz

With SXSW on the horizon, my inbox is filling up with e-mails about who will be playing there. It’s a double-edged sword: I’ve checked out a lot of stuff I wouldn’t have heard normally, but since I won’t be attending the festival this year, I won’t have the opportunity to be so wasted that I’ll forget whether or not I’ve seen them perform. It’s upsetting.

That being said, if I were going, Madi Diaz is one of those acts I would do my best to sober up for. She’s from Lancaster, which is in the butter-churning heart of Pennsylvania Amish country. Now, the fresh-faced 22-year-old (pictured above with partner in crime Kyle Ryan) is based out of Nashville, and her songs veer toward the sunnier indie rock, country and folk. Maybe it will remind you that there are warmer days ahead. Her new EP, Ten Gun Salute, has been self-released and can be purchased digitally on her Myspace page (“Heavy Heart” and the title track are especially nice).

If you’ll be in Austin this year, here’s where you can find her:

Wed, March 18
6 p.m. @ Sheraton Hotel (701 E. 11th)

Thurs, March 19
11 p.m. @ Hi-Lo (301 W. 6th)

Fri, March 20
12:30 – 12:45 p.m. @ Four Seasons / BMI Breakfast
2:00 – 2:20 p.m. @ Tap Room at Six Lounge (117 W. 4th)
9:15 p.m. @ Driskill Hotel, Victorian Room (the main gig)

If you’re considering a vacation to Amish country, I suggest eating at Good ‘N Plenty, a family style restaurant where you can quite literally eat yourself to death. Just save room for the shoo fly pie.

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