Greetings Fam!
Here's a great listen for you as you drive off to your Memorial Day Weekend destinations.. Episode 58 of "Talking At The Diner" features an up-and-coming artist who is just beginning to gain some well-deserved recognition, but one of my goals on this show is to shine a light on musicians at all different points on their journey.
Professionally speaking.. my guest Máty Rodriguez goes by just her first name.. something very few people can actually pull off. You know: Elvis.. Madonna.. Britney. But from the first time I saw her perform at the Iris Music Showcase back in 2024 I knew Máty was bringing that single-name energy into the conversation.
She is the child of immigrant parents, who met each other in New Brunswick, NJ. Her father, who is also a songwriter, encouraged Máty from an early age to pick up the guitar and begin writing songs of her own. By the end of her teen years, she had written two of the core songs she plays in her shows to this day - "Unilover" and "Paperplane Boy." In March of 2026, she released her debut EP "Standup Show," which is about as eclectic a collection as you can imagine on a 6-song project. But somehow, it all comes off as Máty.
She and her band recently played a celebratory release show for the EP in early May and their performance was nothing short of stellar. I had a blast chatting with Máty at Nifty Fifties in Fishtown over a massive feast of double burgers and banana milkshakes, and I think you will truly enjoy her perspectives and experiences. One thing I recently had reinforced for me when I got to perform onstage with literal legends at the Philadelphia Music Alliance Gala, is that whether you're in the earlier stages on your path as an artist or far, far down the road, we all share that same fire in our bellies, and Máty is definitely a true keeper of the flame.
You can find out more about Máty at her website www.maty.world.
Follow her on IG: @_matyrodriguez_
And catch her this October 17 at the tenth annual Philly Music Fest at Underground Arts!
I hope you enjoy our conversation!
JKF <3