https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/music/2015-03-22/sxsw-live-shot-lindi-ortega/

SXSW Live Shot: Lindi Ortega

By Jim Caligiuri, March 22, 2015, 9:10am, Earache!

Toronto-born, but currently based in Nashville, Lindi Ortega began her set at the Continental Club Saturday night quietly, just her voice and an acoustic guitar. Then, like a rocket ship, she burst into country-rock that didn’t let up for 40 minutes.

Short of stature, but long on confidence, the dark-haired singer-songwriter and her backing threepiece visited songs from all three of her LPs and offered up a couple of new songs that suited the historic venue’s dance floor just fine. Canadian Country Music Association Roots Artist of the Year, Ortega wasn’t afraid to inject Cramps-style rockabilly into the spooky “Murder of Crows,” or get bold and bitter with “Ashes of Your Memory.”

On her albums, the vocals recall Dolly Parton’s birdlike trill, but in person, there’s a depth to Ortega’s voice that’s utterly convincing and, considering her size, improbable and impressive. That was most apparent on the honky-tonk thunder of “Demons Don’t Get Me Down,” a tune she introduced with, “I’m going to do a song about whiskey and weed.” After the expected shouts of approval from the audience, Ortega followed up with, “I figured you like that,” and a sly grin.

Closing with the swampy and still dark “Little Lie,” she showed her muse to be fearless. Plus, Lindi Ortega and the South Austin speakeasy make a perfect match. We look forward to a return gig as soon as possible.

Complete SXSW Music coverage at austinchronicle.com/sxsw/music