Missy Higgins flew into Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on a 22-hour flight from the Down Under to Deep in the Heart of Texas.

"I thought everyone would be talking [with a twang]. And, would all wear cowboy boots," Higgins, 21, said.

Instead, she found Austin.

"I love it. It's great," she said.

Her first show in Texas turned out to be a birthday party for a man she's never met before: Ray Benson. He held his annual birthday bash at La Zona Rosa Tuesday night.

"I have heard he's like the 'King of Western' over here. I was thrilled to be asked to play. He's sitting in my dressing room at this moment, playing my guitar. I just met him. He's all dressed in white," Higgins said.

Benson's party is just a warm-up session before SXSW actually starts. The kickoff party is traditionally the Austin Music Awards held Wednesday night.

Higgins is booked solid: almost every night, she's playing a set.

"It's such a long flight from here to Australia. I might as well make the most of it, playing as many shows as I can. That's the thing. I love live music. I just want to play as much as possible," she said.

Higgins is rumored to be one of the "rising stars" to emerge out of SXSW. But this trip means more to her than just her career.

"It's all about the music. I'd love to see the great music."

And, that's enough to make her trip to the States worthwhile.

Higgins playa Thursday, at Maggie Mae's at 9 p.m.; Friday at Brush Square Park from 1:50 p.m. to 2:10 p.m.