Nashville singer songwriter Sarah Siskind was one of two female artists to take the BMI stage Friday, delivering her promise of “from-the-gut” autobiographical Indie originals. The 31-year-old performer charmed her crowd during her Austin City Limit Music Festival debut.

Siskind, who just released her sixth album, “Say It Louder,” said that passion has been driving her in a new direction lately.

“I’ve gone through a lot in the last couple of years emotionally,” Siskind said. “I went to Florida a couple of months ago and wrote nine new songs all at once. I’m really trying to hone in on who I am as a whole person – exploring that in music. I’m definitely searching.”

Music is her native language, said Siskind, who has been playing music since the age of 4 and writing songs since 11.

“I communicate through songs much better than I do by talking to people,” she said. “It’s self healing – a way to work through things.”

When asked by ACL to play this year, Siskind jumped at the chance. She fell in love with Austin during her SXSW stay last spring.

“I love the energy and the laid back kindness here,” she said. “I took a look at the lineup and felt a real since of honor and pride at being asked to be part of it.”

Siskind didn’t have much time to enjoy the city this time around. She is playing Cincinnati tonight and continues her tour of the east coast and the south during the next few weeks, with additional stops in Ohio,

Indiana, Florida, Tennessee and Kentucky. While she jumps from state to state, the artist will continue songwriting, continue reflecting.

“I feel right now like it’s happening for me,” she said. “Other people tell me that my songs help them realize things about themselves. I write music to express things from my life. When those songs connect with fans, that’s a gift. That’s as good as it gets.”