Upon first listen Human Form might sound merely like a straight forward folk rock EP, yet somehow there are these layers and textures and a rollercoaster of emotions that get laid out before us unexpectedly. This is the work of Omaha-based trio Jessica, Heather and Tiffany Hottman.
There is always a unique synergy at play when family is involved. In this case we can hear it as the Hottman siblings coax sounds out of their instruments and their heavenly harmonies. For the record The Hottman Sisters have been around for a while now. I first interviewed Jessica Hottman in 2018. Since then a lot has changed in particular with Jessica venturing out on her own from time to time. But now back together The Hottman Sisters seem stronger than ever. It’s fair to say The Hottman Sisters have never sounded more in touch with each other than they do on Human Form. Importantly, the four song EP finds the sisters moving away from their electric pop leanings of previous works to a more harmony driven feel that plays homage to their Nebraskan roots.
I recently caught up with Jessica Hottman. It’s an interesting new period for her and her sisters. So we got straight into it about her open-hearted love for music and the creation of their new EP.
Jessica, I believe we first caught in 2018. Since then, your musical journey has been in motion across several genres and inbetween playing in a band or group and solo artist. You’ve got so much confidence, it’s incredible! What is it about this facet of the arts that still appeals to you the most?
I’ve felt called to music and songwriting for as long as I can remember. It’s so deeply woven into who I am that I truly couldn’t imagine a life without it. At the end of the day, it’s always been about the same thing: creating beautiful works I’m proud of—pieces that communicate the inner workings of my soul. Songwriting is my version of journaling, a way to catalogue my time on earth. It still brings me so much joy!
The Hottman Sisters were for a long time a duo. I never knew you had another sister. When did Tiffany (re)join the group and how has that changed the dynamics of your musicianship?
My sisters and I grew up singing three-part harmony together, and that was our foundation and upbringing. Heather and I have always felt a deep calling to pursue music in some form throughout our lives, while Tiffany’s path has taken a slightly different direction. She has since devoted herself to travel and outdoor adventure—she currently lives out of a truck/camper rig, exploring the world. Touring and playing shows requires a big commitment, and Heather and I have never wanted that to interfere with Tiffany’s other dream. She happened to be around when we made this EP—thanks to my persuasive nature haha—and it turned out to be such a restorative experience for the three of us. I’m not sure how many future shows or recordings she’ll be a part of, but we’ll cherish whatever musical moments we get with her, even if it’s just for now. One things for sure, Tiffany adds an immense piece to the musicianship and really rounds out our sound.
What was the inspiration behind your latest EP’s title, Human Form? Tell us a few things about it.
Human Form is a bite-sized snapshot of my human experience during the time I wrote the EP. Coming out of COVID, I felt the desire to recharge this band—but also an overwhelming sense of how the world and music industry had shifted. I stopped asking, “What kind of music should we make to get people to listen?” and started asking, “What kind of music do I want to make, and what stories do I want to tell?” Each song on the EP ties into a different part of the body.
“Still Portrait” is the head—feeling stuck, frozen in place, grappling with dread and regret.
“Center” represents the core—wanting to realign with my roots and put my hands to something meaningful again.
“Bones” is the skeleton—the honest confession that I often keep myself in boxes I’ve outgrown, only to hit (sometimes necessary) dead ends that lead to growth.
“Afterlife Passerby” is the soul—the seeking of purpose, peace, and some sense of closure by the end of this life.
Take us through your songwriting process for this EP. What kind of musical/sonic materials, and ideas are permeating your work right now? I especially love the role you’ve created for the additional sounds of the piano.
I was especially intentional with this record being true to our roots: three sisters harmonizing on ballad-esque songs, much like we did growing up in Nebraska. I didn’t want to go too country, though. I was channeling classic influences with strong harmonies—The Mamas and the Papas, Simon & Garfunkel, Heart, The Everly Brothers—but with a modern, slightly pop twist. I wanted it to feel like we were singing to a live band using mostly real instruments—almost like a polished live studio session. Everything was centered around the vocals, and during recording and mixing, I really pushed for louder harmony levels than we’d ever used before.
How would you compare the creative process behind these new songs to that of previous releases?
For this EP, my writing process was slower and more focused on storytelling and that organic spark. I really gave myself the space to let each element unfold naturally, without forcing anything
You recently premiered your new single, “Still Portrait” How did the idea for this song come together?
“Still Portrait” was the first song I wrote when I decided to reignite the band. Life felt frozen—like I was a painting on the wall, watching the world move on without me. At the time, the SAG-AFTRA union (which I’m a member of as an actor) was on the brink of a strike, the live music world was still trying to locate its footing post-COVID, and I found myself tucked away like a little hermit, writing and pondering. That song 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.
Your collective harmonies and balladry is incredible across all four tracks, especially Afterlife Passerby. Tell me more about the evolution of your three-part harmonies?
Our harmonies are hard to describe, even for us. We’ve been singing together our entire lives, and our blend has been refined over a lifetime of basement jams, car rides, and live shows. We always say we’re one person split into three—and, in some ways, one voice split into three, too. Singing together is like riding a bike—it’s instinctual. We also didn’t overthink the harmony parts—instead, most of it came together organically in the studio as we worked out who would sing what, right there in the moment.
Switching gears… How do you stay true to who you are and your voice?
This feels like the most honest and true we’ve ever been as a band. We’re keeping things really simple in The Hottman Sisters right now. Even our live show setup is super stripped-down, because we want to preserve this authentic feeling we’ve re-tapped into. It’s about being real, doing what we love, honoring where we came from, and sharing words that truly mean something to us.
I kind of liken this new EP to a new era for The Hottman Sisters musically. Would you agree?
This EP definitely marks a new era for us. It’s just the beginning—an appetizer of what’s to come. I’m already deep into writing our next full-length record, and we’re planning more tour dates for the fall. It’s a fresh start on a road that still feels like home.
Finally, before I let you go. Will you be playing shows in the coming months? How does your dynamic on stage work? I imagine it must feel pretty freeing being up on stage with your sisters and that trust that comes being family?
Yes! We will be announcing a fall tour soon and we are officially back-in-action with live shows. It truly feels amazing to be performing together again. There’s something sacred about sharing the stage with your sisters—we can just look at each other and know what’s coming next. It’s one of the purest joys in this world, and we are so looking forward to what’s ahead.
Rearview Mirror 
“Songwriting is my version of journaling” — I completely understand. thank you for sharing the interview.