Spotlight On: MADI DIAZ
ABOUT this week’s podcast guest + radio hour featured interview:
Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, Madi Diaz grew up in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, not far from Philadelphia where she would eventually go as a teenager to catch as many shows as she could. Inspired by bands like Hole, Bikini Kill, and Le Tigre, Madi switched from piano to guitar, and then in what you’ll hear her describe as her more floral moments, discovered more country and singer-songwriter music. After a couple of years at Berklee College of Music, Madi self-released her debut album, Skin and Bones in 2007, dropped out, and made her way to Nashville via New York City. And while articles and interviews with Madi now read like a musician’s fairy tale - “Madi Diaz on touring with Harry, antiquing with Kacey”! (the Harry in this fairy tale is in fact Harry Styles, and her bestie is Kacey Musgraves) it took 14 years from that first album, a move from Nashville to Los Angeles and back to Nashville, three more albums plus three EP’s, until finally, in 2021, Madi Diaz landed a record deal with Anti- Records, put out her fifth full length album, the critically hailed breakup album History Of A Feeling, and finally, to use music industry speak, “broke through”. A couple years later, Harry Styles heard Madi on a playlist and invited her to not only open some of his shows, but join his band as a backing vocalist. Now after standing on some of the biggest stages in the world with one of its biggest pop stars, Madi Diaz has returned with her sixth full length album, with a title that perfectly sums up finding the courage to fall in love again, and sticking it out in the music industry. It's called Weird Faith, and just before she released the album, Madi stopped by to chat about the new album, her journey, and perspectives she’s gained along the way. I'm so thrilled to welcome Madi Diaz as this week’s SHERO in the Spotlight.
A condensed version of this interview is featured on the SHEROES Radio hour this week. Here’s what else you’ll hear: