The Hottman Sisters – “Still Portrait”
Americana Highways brings you this premiere of the Hottman Sisters’ song “Still Portrait” from their forthcoming EP Human Form. Human Form was recorded by Adam Roberts of ARC Studios, mixed by Joel Martin, and mastered by Zac Montez of Time Well Recordings.
“Still Portrait” is Jessica Hottman, Heather Hottman, and Tiffany Hottman on vocals; Jessica Hottman and Ben Petty on synth and piano; and Ben Petty on drums, bass, and guitar.
As Jessica tells us of the song, “Still Portrait” is the opening track of our new EP, Human Form, and the song that reignited our return to music after more than five years away as a band. I wrote it during a time when life felt frozen — like I was a painting on a wall, watching the world move on without me.
“At the time, the SAG-AFTRA union (which I’m a part of as an actor) was on the brink of a strike, the live music scene was still finding its footing in a post-COVID world, and I found myself tucked away, writing music like a little hermit, trying to make sense of all the swirling ideas in my head.
“This EP marks a rebrand for us — a move away from the polished pop sound of our earlier work toward something more raw and grounded, with a folky, harmony-driven feel that nods to our Nebraska roots. That shift required a lot of introspection — asking myself what kinds of stories felt worth telling, and what kind of sound truly felt like home.
“’Still Portrait’ became a cheeky reflection of that in-between space: the limbo of writing, rewriting, doubting, and searching. It captures the dread, regret, confusion, and occasional insanity of trying to find your voice again.
“It felt right to lead the EP with this song — a way of saying, “Yes, we’ve been still. We’ve been silent. But we’re back now — with something to say, and a sound that finally feels like us.”
The vocals, separately and in harmony, are spine chillingly good. The atmosphere is one of mournful longing, and the take together the result is lovely.
You can find the music here: https://show.co/CCYzKSR