Life & Work with Latifah Alattas

Today we’d like to introduce you to Latifah Alattas.

Hi Latifah, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I made my first album during my senior year of college in Colorado.

That was 2003 and quite a learning experience. I have been playing music since I was two years old, piano first then cello with an ear and sight-reading training program. But it was not until my freshman year in college that I knew I wanted to work in music. At the time I was just focused on my own artistry.

I had albums released under “Tifah,” “The Autumn Film,” “Page CXVI” and my latest project “Moda Spira.” I have made twenty of my own personal records under those monikers and as I grew as an artist I fell in love with the recording process. I toured most of my twenties in a van and played a random assortment of venues, bars, clubs, homes, and churches depending on the band I was with at the time.

I made my first album here in Nashville in 2007/2008 with Jason Lehning for The Autumn Film called “The Ship and the Sea.” Jason let me sit next to him pretty much the entire time from production through mixing and ask as many questions as I wanted to. He encouraged me that I had good ears and could learn and grow as an engineer. At the same time my co-engineer in Colorado, David Wilton, had asked me to co-produce his album “A Boy and His Kite” and I was thrilled.

He also poured into me as an engineer and producer and we made a lot of records together. I am deeply grateful for both Jason and Dave because they have always been champions of me doing the work. Around that same time, Imogen Heap released “Speak for Yourself” and I read that she produced and engineered the album in Logic. I thought, if she can do it, I can do it! So here I am almost twenty years later and I am still making my own art, producing, engineering, and mixing now.

I have always had an independent career and have been deeply lucky to partner with amazing artists, producers, and engineers in my life thus far. I moved to Nashville almost three and a half years ago from Colorado and I am so glad I did. It has been life-giving to be around so many creatives and especially more female creatives.

My partner, Lucas Morton, and I have a studio with co-production suites, an ISO booth, and some overdub space that we both work out of full-time now in town. I honestly think that making music is the best job in the universe and am grateful to still be doing the work.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Just like life my career has had its ups and downs. Band break-ups, a divorce (with and bandmate from The Autumn Film and Page CXVI), seasons coming to a close even when it is good and healthy change is not without grief, you can reference my “Divorce” album by “Moda Spira” for that, ha!

The industry alone has morphed and changed dramatically in the last twenty years. As an independent artist, I have had to continually be creative and pivot on how to make a living in music. It has made me glad that I also love making records so I can have multiple musical irons in the fire.

When I started out, I had so many ideas about how my career would or should go, learning to let those go and focus on making good music, with good folk, while having a good experience has been pivotal in keeping me grateful!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an artist, producer, and mixing engineer. I am most known for my artistry and podcasting. I am most proud of my album “Divorce” by “Moda Spira” and this podcast I am currently a part of is called “Fun Parts” which is a podcast for folks recovering from the evangelical purity culture movement.

I am also proud of some of the records I have co-produced, “Same Team by Carly Bannister” with my partner Lucas Morton, both “A Boy and His Kite Albums” that I co-produced with David Wilton, and more. I think what sets me apart from others is the passion I bring to nurturing other artists.

Since I wear so many hats from artist to mixing engineer, I have a lot of compassion for my artists in the process.

I have run several kick-starter campaigns, had dark nights of the soul on the release day of my own albums, struggled to tour when I was sick, booked my own tours, had hard days behind the mic, played good and bad shows, made and released twenty of my own albums and I have always self-managed.

All of this has deepened my patience and care for artists where ever they are in their careers.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
David Wilton, whom I mentioned before, is based in Lafayette, CO. An insanely talented producer, mixing and mastering engineer, and artist (A Boy and His Kite). Jason Lehning, an engineer, producer, and writer here in Nashville, is a class act from start to finish.

I can’t say enough good things about either of these men. They specifically have mentored me in audio and still take my calls to this day when I have questions. My audio brothers Evan Sieling (also a very talented producer/engineer here in town) and Aaron Strumpel (artist, producer, and engineer) in Colorado. I own the majority of the outboard gear I have and still learning new tricks because of my audio brothers and Dave.

When I moved to town, I met Audrey Assad and we became fast friends. She is a kick-ass woman in music, artist, and producer here in Nashville. She also runs her own business and has been a huge gift of encouragement to me in my career and in friendship.

All the artists I have partnered with along the way that has trusted me to help them create have all been a gift. Last, but not least, my partner Lucas Morton has been a massive support and cheerleader for me to continue to make more Moda Spira songs, play shows and make albums in any and every role.

He inspires me as well with the caliber of work he creates.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @iamthelatifah, @modaspira, and @pagecxvi
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ModaSpiraMusic
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/thetifah?lang=en
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb5z-mD9I0RILyjFr45N8CQ

Image Credits
Lucas Morton, Carly Bannister, Taylor Leonhardt, Leslie Jordan, Jess Ray, Audrey Assad, and Paul Zach