Quality Americana

San Antonio native Nicky Diamonds delivered a beautifully shot performance for his single “Tirame un Paro.”

“Truth be told I don’t feel nothin’ when I’m cuddled up with someone,” Diamonds sings. “I squandered all of my emotions in the darkest place in El Paso.” 

Diamonds wrote the song while wrestling with the feeling of being emotionally unavailable. 

“I knew other people that probably felt the same way and I just wanted to write a tune that resonated with other folks,” Diamonds said. 

Diamonds initially set up a session with 9001 Productions to film a performance for NPR’s Tiny Desk contest, but as the date approached he decided to focus on the art and release the content for his fans. The song was written in Spanish and English and highlights the rich culture found in the region.

“This tune actually was getting back to where I come from as far as songwriting,” Diamonds said. “I wanted to pay homage to my city San Antonio.” 

Military City, USA

Diamonds was born in a bilingual household in Dallas, and moved to San Antonio for his father’s career in the military. Fort Sam Houston, Randolph Air Force Base, and Lackland Air Force Base create the largest joint base in the country, and they gave the town its unofficial name “Military City, USA.”

“We traveled quite a bit,” Diamonds said, “but I’d say I spent most of my adolescent years becoming the person I am in San Antonio.”

“Tirame un Paro” is a testament to the influences that are unique to South Texas, with a feel that lies between the lonesome howl of the desert and the intoxicating romantic ballads of the rancheros.

More information about Nicky Diamonds can be found here.

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