The fiddle-voice of pop-country music

Lilly Hiatt is a Nashville-based indie rocker and daughter of songwriting legend, John Hiatt. She has been playing the guitar since the age of 12 and grew up surrounded by music. Lilly’s mother committed suicide when Lilly was one, leading Lilly to be fascinated with the human psyche. Now sober for 15-plus years and with a psychology degree from the University of Denver, Lilly Hiatt puts forth an encouraging, progressive album of optimism with Walking Proof.

Depicting her positive attitude and personal thought, the pop-art record cover illustrates Lilly’s profile with rainbow rays exuding from her mind. “Rae” is a mellow, twangy song with electric guitar riffs to bridge her falsetto, yodeling voice with lyrics paying homage to her sister. Hiatt expresses her connection with her sister, saying, “Nobody gets me like you do.”

“P-Town” is a more Americana-country track with a powerful chest voice to that of Carrie Underwood. “Little Believer” is a bright, light-hearted single, filled with romantic, happy lyrics such as, “I want to be your little believer.” “Candy Lunch” is an empowering song about how Hiatt is able to do anything she wants, without help from others. This fun track is also a sassy statement.

“Some Kind of Drug” is the most profound, humane song of Walking Proof. Although told through a pop beat (with a hard rock ‘n’ roll guitar strum), this track is nowhere near carefree. Similar to Janis Joplin, but with a pop-country sound, Hiatt writes about the homelessness issue in her town, the lack of progress, and how she tries to avoid it making her cynical. Influenced by a homeless man, Corey, he told her that he does not know his age because he only grew up on the streets. Here, Hiatt is addressing the issue in metropolitan cities, where gentrification is in full swing and hurting sacred pieces of the community, yet homelessness is ignored and avoided.

“Walking Proof” is an Appalachian sounding song with slow drum beats and fiddles, expressing her commitment to her family, friends and bandmates. Hiatt states that if they ever need her in this scary world, “filled with heavy words, dark shadows, and hearts soaked in kerosene,” she will be there for them. Similarly, “Drawl” and “Brightest Star” are songs for the misfits and underdogs, showcasing her love for the people that are humble and don’t exactly know how awesome they are.

In Walking Proof, Hiatt sings to improve the focus’s self-worth and confidence.