What I Am marked the beginning of Barbara Hickey's journey as a recording artist. Rooted in rock, blues and Southern influences, the album introduced the guitar-driven sound, honest songwriting and personal storytelling that would continue to shape her music in the years that followed.

More than a collection of songs, What I Am was exactly what the title suggested: a snapshot of an artist figuring out who she was, what she wanted to say, and how she wanted to say it.