Lately is a record I wrote to share some of where I’ve been with you. Whenever songs happen for me, they are like photographs of time. Last year was tough. That’s an understatement for certain. Tears were shed, lives were lost, and lonely was a way of life. I have always felt lonely, but never gone to the depths of solitude that I had in 2020. The irony of that is, I was not alone at all in that space. Everyone had lost something, and we all were trying to rebuild our lives as we knew them. As a means of keeping sane, I started to write songs. Some of them sucked. I kept doing it though, because I had nothing else to fill my cup. “The Last Tear” came and I thought, I’d like to share this. That opened the door for more. “Been” happened not too long after, reminiscing about this and that, and so on. The inspiration was occurring from simple moments, such as gathering with my family after months of not doing so. Or walking around looking at my neighbors on their porches and waving a hello. I also was finally catching up with myself, and understanding I was reeling from some of my missteps. Forgiveness can occur through written words for me, so it was quite soothing to have my guitars and a melody. Depression was a big part of fall and winter. I forgot how down I could feel. But I also felt hope in that light that came from a memory of a past adventure or a stranger’s smile while walking down the street. Little things lifted my spirits. I missed my friends. I missed my family. I was devastated by the grief our country was facing, as well as the world. I felt unified in knowing that I was not on my own in that mentality. Many were questioning a lot of what was happening and though ideologies and understandings were fractured and opposing, most people I know craved to be together again. I realized that my heart was full of everything I loved and that would carry me forward for the time being. Eventually we would all get back to one another. Now that we are beginning to, I will be thrilled to share and play these songs for you. Much Love, Lilly Hiatt