Lo Fi: A Novel

“Swoony, sexy, and melancholy. . . a tattered love letter to youth, music, and Nashville.” —Daisy Alpert Florin, author of My Last Innocent Year

In the sweaty music clubs and late-night house parties of Nashville, an aspiring songwriter tries to make friends, find love, and write songs—without losing herself

Most nights, you’ll find Alison Hunter at The Venue, the kind of sweaty Nashville spot that’s on the circuit for bands like Bon Iver and Death Cab. Sounds glamorous—but not for Al, who stamps hands at the door with Julien, the quiet coworker who treats her like a little sister. When she can sneak off, she bums drinks from the tattooed bartender and watches the bands, wondering if she’ll ever finish a song of her own after her disastrous attempt to play in public.

When a once-in-a-century storm hits and her lead singer ex-boyfriend shows up at the door, Al finds herself stuck in a perpetual cycle of late nights, new flings, and old flames. Obsessed with the disappearance of a troubled indie star, she slowly starts to lose it herself—until one reckless night threatens to derail everything. As propulsive and sexy as the rasp of a static-driven amp, Lo Fi is an openhearted tribute to the messy truth of the creative life, the clash of lust and love, and the yearning to be heard.

Liz Riggs holds an MFA from New York University, and her work has been featured in The Atlantic, Bon Appétit, MTV, American Songwriter magazine, and others. She lives in East Nashville with her husband and dogs.