Most Georgia musicians have their roots in Athens, the hip home of several alt-rock bands, such as R.E.M., The B-52s and Of Montreal. The latter shares a producer with Meiko.

But Meiko Sheppard comes from Roberta, a 1000-person town whose motto claims it to be “A small town with a big heart.” Despite leaving the small town, the indie singer-songwriter undoubtedly still uses her big heart.

With lyrics that pluck the smallest and deepest strings of your emotions, Meiko explores the challenges and intricacies of relationships, but not in a predictable way. On “Raincoat Song,” she sings: “We were gonna have a family/ go to soccer games and all that shit.” She doesn’t back down or make apologies, but rather explores the inner monologues in our heads in a very real way. “I know that it’s a secret/ And that I’ve got to keep it/ But I want the lights on,” she sings in “Leave The Lights On,” a track about an affair.

The singer has toured with Mat Kearny, Eric Hutchinson, Bret Dennen and Jewel and recently released her fifth album Lovers & Fighters. You also probably heard her song “Stuck On You” in a Fancy Feast commercial. But to reduce Meiko to simply an acoustic opener or provider of a poppy commercial track for hungry cats is leaving out the sheer vulnerability of her music — she lets you into her big heart while providing catharsis for the troubles in our own.

Meiko plays with Slater Smith of the Weather Machine at 9pm (doors open at 8pm), Sunday, August 23 at the Doug Fir Lounge; $12. 21 and over.

Listen to “Raincoat Song” by Meiko from her EP Lovers & Fighters below.