{{short description|American singer-songwriter (born 1986)}} {{Lead too short|date=March 2020}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2025}} {{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Madi Diaz | image = Madi Diaz (cropped).jpg | caption = Diaz performing in 2022 | birth_place = Greenwich, Connecticut, U.S. | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|05|14}} | origin = Los Angeles, California, U.S. | genre = Pop, folk, electronic, rock | occupation = Musician | years_active = 2007–present | label = Anti- | website = {{Official URL}} }} '''Madi Diaz''' (born May 14, 1986) is an American singer-songwriter and musician who has been nominated twice for Grammy Awards, for Best Folk Album and Best Americana Performance.
==Early life== Diaz grew up in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where she was home-schooled by her Peruvian mother, Nancy, a proponent of early childhood development and the visual arts, and her Danish father, Eric, a woodworker and musician. Diaz began piano lessons at age five from her father.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}
In her early teens, Diaz switched from piano to guitar. She was featured in ''Rock School'', director Don Argott's 2005 documentary about the School of Rock, as '''Madi Diaz-Svalgard'''.<ref name="IMDB">{{cite web|title=IMDB listing for Rock School|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0436727/reference|website=IMDb.com|access-date=November 20, 2014}}</ref><ref name=Songhall>{{cite web|title=Cherry Lane's Madi Diaz To Perform At SongHall New Writers Showcase|url=http://songhall.org/news/entry/cherry_lanes_madi_diaz_to_perform_at_songhall_new_writers_showcase|website=Songhall.org|access-date=December 26, 2014|archive-date=December 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226112107/http://songhall.org/news/entry/cherry_lanes_madi_diaz_to_perform_at_songhall_new_writers_showcase|url-status=dead}}</ref> Her father Eric Svalgård is a member of the Frank Zappa tribute band ''Project/Object''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Marlow|first=Brett Aaron|title=OPENER'S PREVIEW: MADI DIAZ AT THE VIC|url=http://brettandbutter.com/a-c/openers-preview-madi-diaz-vic/|website=Brettandbutter.com|access-date=December 13, 2013|archive-date=August 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829094619/http://brettandbutter.com/a-c/openers-preview-madi-diaz-vic/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Music career== After high school, Diaz was accepted to Berklee College of Music. At Berklee, she began working with Kyle Ryan, the Nebraska-raised guitarist who would be her songwriting collaborator for her early career. The two began their collaboration when a fellow student, a producer looking for a project, offered Diaz the chance to record an album in Hawaii. The self-released album ''Skin and Bone'' (2007) was the result, and a songwriting and performing partnership between Diaz and Ryan stuck. Shortly after, Diaz dropped out of the program at Berklee.
In 2008, Diaz and Ryan continued writing and began playing shows in New York City. There, she met her manager and signed to publisher Cherry Lane Music.<ref>{{cite web | last1=Hasty | first1=Katie | title=Madi Diaz | url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1044068/madi-diaz | website=Billboard.com| date=September 15, 2008 | access-date=July 23, 2014}}</ref> Diaz and Ryan were then sent to Nashville for a month to write, and in mid-2010 moved to Nashville.<ref>{{cite web | last=Moore | first=Tracey | title=''Paste'' Mag Gets Buzzed About Nashville Acts at SXSW | url=http://www.nashvillescene.com/nashvillecream/archives/2009/03/24/paste-mag-gets-buzzed-about-nashville-acts-at-sxsw | website=Nashvillescene.com | date=March 24, 2009 | access-date=April 24, 2015 | archive-date=March 4, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002152/http://www.nashvillescene.com/nashvillecream/archives/2009/03/24/paste-mag-gets-buzzed-about-nashville-acts-at-sxsw | url-status=dead }}</ref>
After releasing the EP, ''Ten Gun Salute'', Diaz began touring with The Civil Wars and Landon Pigg. She was featured in ''Paste'' magazine as one of the "Top Ten Buzziest Acts" at SXSW 2009,<ref>{{cite web | first=Steve | last=LaBate | title=''Paste''{{'}}s Top 10 Buzziest Acts of SXSW 2009 | url=http://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/lists/2009/03/pastes-buzziest-bands-of-sxsw-2009.html|website=Pastemagazine.com | date=March 23, 2009 | access-date=December 13, 2013}}</ref> and had songs featured on cw The originals ABC Family's ''Pretty Little Liars'', and Lifetime's ''Drop Dead Diva'', ''Army Wives'', and ''Princesses: Long Island''.
Her EP, ''Far from the Things That We Know'', was released on September 20, 2011, by TinyOGRE Entertainment.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2011/07/madi-diaz-announces-tour-dates.html | title=Madi Diaz Announces Tour Dates | first=Caitlin | last=Peterkin | website=Pastemagazine.com | date=July 14, 2011 | access-date=March 26, 2017 | archive-date=May 18, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170518015608/https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2011/07/madi-diaz-announces-tour-dates.html | url-status=dead }}</ref> The EP was recorded in Los Angeles and Charlottesville, VA with John Alagia (Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer) serving as producer. The EP previewed songs from her full-length album, ''Plastic Moon'', which was released in January 2012.
In February 2012, Diaz moved to Los Angeles, marking a new chapter in her music career.<ref>{{cite news | last1=Naila | first1=Francis | title=Madi Diaz gets more comfortable with her sound on latest album | url=http://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/life-style/music/madi-diaz-gets-more-comfortable-with-her-sound-on-latest/article_2c3e0044-cb23-5f4a-990a-d9da0fe0682f.html | date=March 25, 2012 | newspaper=Bucks County Courier Times | quote="Seeing the reaction I was getting when I was performing, that was when I started going, 'Oh, maybe I don't suck at this. Maybe I can actually do this,' " says Diaz, a former School of Rock Allstar who was featured prominently in director Don Argott's 2005 documentary about the Philadelphia program. | access-date=July 23, 2014 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Now working solo, her next album, ''We Threw Our Hearts in the Fire'', was released on October 23, 2012.<ref>{{cite web | title=New Music Tuesday | url=http://this-is-modern.blogspot.com/2012/10/new-music-tuesday_23.html | website=This-is-modern.blogspot.com | date=October 23, 2012 | access-date=December 13, 2013}}</ref> [[File:Madi Diaz performing at Silverlake Lounge in 2014.jpg|right|thumb| Diaz performing at Silverlake Lounge in 2014]]
Diaz appeared as a guest on ''Last Call with Carson Daly'' on the January 13, 2014, episode.<ref>{{cite web | title=Listings for ''Last Call with Carson Daly'' | url=https://www.nbcumv.com/node/791191 | website=Nbcumv.com | access-date=July 23, 2014}}</ref> She released the single "Stay Together" on July 11, 2014. It is the first single off of her album, ''Phantom'', which was released in September 2014.<ref>{{cite web | last1=Thomas-Hansard | first1=Artemis | title=Madi Diaz Writes The Most Danceable Breakup Record Ever | url=http://www.laweekly.com/westcoastsound/2014/07/11/madi-diaz-writes-the-most-danceable-breakup-record-ever | website=LA Weekly | date=July 11, 2014 | access-date=July 24, 2014}}</ref>
The song "The End of the Day", written by Diaz and Sarah Siskind, was featured on the television series ''Nashville'', and is performed by Connie Britton and Charles Esten.
In 2018, Diaz provided the vocals for Dan Romer's track, "Help Me Faith", from the soundtrack of the videogame, ''Far Cry 5''.
On February 11, 2021, Anti- Records announced that Diaz had signed with them, alongside the release of her first single with the label titled "Man in Me".<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1359861054352850947 |user=AntiRecordsEU |title=Listen to 'Man In Me', by the newest member of the ANTI- Records Family. Please welcome @madidiaz. Her single is out today: http://madidiaz.ffm.to/maninme |author=ANTI Records Europe |date=February 11, 2021 |access-date=February 12, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Deville, Chris |date=February 10, 2021 |title=Madi Diaz Signs To Anti Records, Shares New Song "Man In Me" |work=Stereogum |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2115944/madi-diaz-man-in-me/music/ |access-date=February 12, 2021}}</ref> Diaz released ''History of a Feeling'' on August 27, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |last=ANTI- |title=Madi Diaz - History Of A Feeling |url=http://www.anti.com/releases/history-feeling/ |access-date=2025-10-11 |website=Anti Records |language=en}}</ref> Diaz appeared on National Public Radio's Tiny Desk concert series on March 28, 2022, singing songs from her living room off her ''History of a Feeling'' album.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZT8nSsHrUf0 |title=Madi Diaz: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert |date=2022-03-28 |last=NPR Music |access-date=2025-10-11 |via=YouTube}}</ref> She was accompanied by Annaliese Kowert, Lydia Luce, Adam Popick, Kaitlyn Raitz, and Kristin Weber.
In early 2023, Madi Diaz joined Harry Styles's band playing guitar and singing backup vocals for the European leg of Love On Tour.
Diaz's album, ''Weird Faith'', was released on February 9, 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Weird Faith, by Madi Diaz |url=https://madidiaz.bandcamp.com/album/weird-faith |access-date=2025-10-11 |website=Madi Diaz |language=en}}</ref> It was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Folk Album and the song "Don't Do Me Good", which featured Kacey Musgraves, was nominated for a Grammy for Best Americana Performance.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Madi Diaz {{!}} Artist {{!}} GRAMMY.com |url=https://grammy.com/artists/madi-diaz/57878 |access-date=2025-10-11 |website=grammy.com}}</ref> In Spring 2024, Diaz supported her friend Kacey Musgraves on the UK and European legs of her Deeper Well World Tour, and later that year opened for Stephen Sanchez during his show at the Minnesota State Fair.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stereoboard.com/content/view/243032/9|work=Stereoboard.com|date=February 29, 2024|accessdate=May 31, 2024|first=Laura|last=Johnson|title=Kacey Musgraves Announces Spring UK And Ireland Shows As Part Of Deeper Well World Tour}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Buhman |first=Laura |date=September 3, 2024 |title=Photos: Stephen Sanchez lights up the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand |url=https://www.thecurrent.org/feature/2024/09/03/photos-stephen-sanchez-minnesota-state-fair-grandstand |access-date=July 7, 2025 |work=The Current}}</ref>
Diaz released the first single, "Feel Something", from her upcoming album ''Fatal Optimist'' on July 21, 2025.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mier |first1=Tomás |title=Madi Diaz Will End Trio of Heartache Albums With 'Fatal Optimist' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/madi-diaz-announces-fatal-optimist-album-tour-1235390048/ |access-date=29 September 2025 |website=Rolling Stone}}</ref> Anti- released single "Ambivalence" on August 18<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pickard |first1=Joshua |title=Madi Diaz rips apart feelings of indecision while yearning for more on “Ambivalence” |url=https://beatsperminute.com/madi-diaz-rips-apart-feelings-of-indecision-while-yearning-for-more-on-ambivalence/ |website=Beats Per Minute |access-date=29 September 2025}}</ref> and single "Heavy Metal" on September 15.<ref>{{cite web |last1=LaPierre |first1=Megan |title=Madi Diaz's "Heavy Metal" Is Worth Raising the Horns For |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/madi-diaz-heavy-metal-song-review |website=Exclaim! Magazine |access-date=29 September 2025}}</ref> ''Fatal Optimist,'' produced by Diaz with Gabe Wax, was released on October 10, 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Scanlon |first=Kelly |date=2025-10-09 |title=Madi Diaz - 'Fatal Optimist' album review |url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/madi-diaz-fatal-optimist-album-review/ |access-date=2025-10-11 |website=faroutmagazine.co.uk |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=ANTI- |title=Madi Diaz - Fatal Optimist |url=http://www.anti.com/releases/fatal-optimist/ |access-date=2025-10-11 |website=Anti Records |language=en}}</ref> Diaz described the album as "the innate hope for something magical. It’s the weird faith that kicks in while knowing that there is just plain risk that comes with wanting someone or something. It’s when you have no control over the outcome, but still choose to experience every moment that happens, and put your whole heart in it.”<ref>{{Cite web |last=ANTI- |title=Madi Diaz |url=http://www.anti.com/artists/madi-diaz/ |access-date=2025-10-11 |website=Anti Records |language=en}}</ref> Diaz started touring in support of the album on October 11, 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=ANTI- |title=Anti Records: Madi Diaz Touring Dates |url=https://www.anti.com/shows/?artists%5B%5D=173 |access-date=2025-10-11 |website=Anti Records |language=en}}</ref> Diaz released a cover album of Blink-182's ''Enema of the State'', titled ''Enema of the Garden State'', in November 2025, with all proceeds donated to the Defending our Neighbors Fund, an immigration legal aid charity.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |date=2025-11-11 |title=Madi Diaz Re-Recorded Blink-182's ''Enema of the State'' to Benefit Immigration Legal Aid |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/madi-diaz-recorded-blink-182-enema-of-state-immigration-aid-1236110255/ |access-date=2025-11-12 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Monroe |first=Jazz |date=2025-11-10 |title=Madi Diaz Releases Blink-182 Covers Album for Charity |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/madi-diaz-releases-blink-182-covers-album-for-charity-listen/ |access-date=2025-11-12 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2026, Diaz along with Brian Fallon recorded a cover of The Shirelles song "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" for the soundtrack to the film ''Ready or Not 2: Here I Come''.
==Discography== '''Studio albums''' * ''Skin and Bone'' (April 11, 2007) * ''Plastic Moon'' (January 24, 2012) – No. 20 on ''Billboard'' Heatseekers Album Chart * ''We Threw Our Hearts in the Fire'' (October 23, 2012) * ''Phantom'' (September 30, 2014) * ''History of a Feeling'' (August 27, 2021) * ''Weird Faith'' (February 9, 2024) * ''Fatal Optimist'' (October 10, 2025)
'''EPs''' * ''Ten Gun Salute'' (December 5, 2008) * ''Far from the Things That We Know'' (September 20, 2011) * ''It's Okay to Be Alone'' (August 2, 2018) * ''Same History, New Feelings'' (March 4, 2022)
'''Other''' * ''Ready or Not 2: Here I Come'' (March 20, 2026) <small>(with Brian Fallon covering "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow")</small>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{Official website}} * [http://www.americansongwriter.com/2011/04/the-kids-are-all-right-a-qa-with-madi-diaz/ American Songwriter Interview] * [http://www.marieclaire.com/world-reports/opinion/need-to-meet-madi-diaz/ Marie Claire Interview]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Diaz, Madi}} Category:1986 births Category:Living people Category:American women singer-songwriters Category:American folk singers Category:Musicians from Lancaster, Pennsylvania Category:Singers from Los Angeles Category:Berklee College of Music alumni Category:Singer-songwriters from California Category:Singer-songwriters from Pennsylvania Category:21st-century American singer-songwriters Category:21st-century American women singers Category:Nettwerk Music Group artists Category:Harry Styles band members Category:American people of Peruvian descent Category:American people of Danish descent