What Doesn’t Kill You, Makes You A Writer
A fast look into the life, love, and soul that is songwriter Ali Tamposi.
Photographer: Nicholas Tamposi; Styling: Lauren Smith; Hair and Makeup: Marianne Tamposi; Models: Jasmine Tamposi and Ali Tamposi; On Location at Dragonville Stables
Ali wears dress by Silvian Heach and shoes by Helen Heart.
In tune with their environment and true artists in their own right, songwriters are those rare old souls, that unicorn of a person that touches everything that we as consumers of music know and love. Weaving the words together that we soak up in our happiest and darkest moments, ultimately leave a lasting impression on us in various stages of our lives. Indeed, the lyrics that we listen to shape our psyche in ways only the people who wrote them can fully understand.
Ali Tamposi is one of these songwriting old souls. Writing music since her teenage years, her career has touched us all in one way or another as she has collaborated with some of the industry’s leading artists from Beyoncé to Selena Gomez to Lil’ Wayne and Kelly Clarkson — for which she received a Grammy nomination for “What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger”. If you listen to the radio, chances are you have heard her words. On the inside, though, this ocean-loving So-Cal gal is so much more than just an artist; she is also a humanitarian and lover of people. Sitting down with Ali is like sitting down with an old friend.
As our conversation began it became my mission to discover the leading lady behind the words. Under the success, fame, and fast-paced lifestyle, who is this lyrical composer that has touched so many of our lives? Tamposi grew up in southern Florida with her first love, the ocean. A relationship she could not let go of as she later transitioned to a modern-day Southern California beach-frequenter. The waves drew her in wherever she went, ebbing and flowing like the words in the melodies of her songs. While in Florida she attended the School of Audio Engineering in Miami — introducing her to her first taste of the music industry. “[After graduation] I knew music was going to be an instrumental part of my journey as a songwriter.”
Jacket and shirt by Ermanno Scervino
Shirt by AKV by Adi Karni Vagt
Indeed, Tamposi has always felt most at home in the studio. Initially cultivating her career as an aspiring artist, the creator rather found the opportunities as a songwriter and producer to be endless — a path in her career she never looked back on. When the opportunity arose to go behind the music and into the studio she took the chance to fully immerse herself in every aspect of the industry. “Music mirrors life, and if I can write something that evokes emotion from someone, then I’ve succeeded,” says the artist. And like most creatives, Tamposi loves to tell stories. A firm devotee to the notion that lyrics can come from anywhere, she let us on in her process from an inspired idea to an actual lyric. “The beginning of sessions is usually like a therapy session and then I try to draw inspiration from my own life or whatever the artist I’m working with is going through. Sometimes it comes right out and other times it’s a struggle,” exposes Tamposi. “Sometimes I leave the studio thinking I’ve written the best song of my career, and then I listen back a few days later and am like, ‘what was I thinking?’” laughed the humble artist.
New to the inner mind of a songwriter, I was intrigued by the relationship between the artist and the muse. Is that a relationship common in the realm of music? “I think artists can have a muse, but for me, it's about the story. So I wouldn't say that one particular person is the driving inspirational force behind the songs.” Now is inspired by the potential of an individual, that just may warrant a musical muse. And for Tamposi, that current title is reserved for her niece — Jasmine Tamposi. “My niece is beautiful and extremely talented. She began her career as the lead singer of the band Sona Waves at age fifteen. We have collaborated on the American Dream, part of the soundtrack on the soon to be released indy movie Feral State. She has a great, fluid, urban sound and I believe she has a solid chance of having a very successful career! She recently released two more cutting edge songs on Sound Cloud,” Tamposi proudly shares.
Switching topics from music to fashion, anyone who follows either industry knows that the two platforms form an integral relationship; both harmoniously synced to form a societal image of what we call “entertainment.” “Walking the red carpet for the Grammy’s in my early twenties was when I began to embrace fashion,” shares Tamposi. Her active attendance in music’s social scene paired with her passion for keeping up with day-to-day global style trends has influenced her career. A longtime advocate of MMA karate pants, vintage shirts, and tinted sunscreen for optimal UV protection, Tamposi is no slouch when it comes to her favorite designer household names like Alexandre McQueen, Dries Van Noten, early Tom Ford, Comme de Garcons, and all emerging designers coming out of Tbilisi, Georgia. “Just as fashion plays an important role in influencing our culture visually, music has this same power through sound. Together they paint a picture that reflects both elements,” says Tamposi.
“I think artists can have a muse, but for me, it's about the story.”
Shirt and pants by Jamie; Belt by Gucci; Boots by Helen’s Heart; Hat vintage
Top to Bottom: Ali wears blazer and pants by AKV by Adi Karni Vagt; Scarf by Pucci. Jasmine wears Blazer and pants by Silvian Heach; Scarf worn as top by Pucci; Boots by Charles David Vintage
Fashion, music, and entertainment comprise her passion and livelihood — but as I sat across this grounded soul beautifully armored against the shallow pitfalls in the industry, I wanted to go deeper into Ali as a person. And that typical day-to-day routine is a lot like yours or mine. An early riser, Tamposi starts the day with meditation and pilates, then it is off to write or to the studio. Her days end at home with her fiancé and dog, but always in time to read before bed. Over the years Tamposi is most unapologetic for any mistakes that she has made because over time they have become learning opportunities, and sometimes even song lyrics. Like this wisdom, there is a humanitarian side to Tamposi that deserves to be lingered on.
Her philanthropy and dedication to helping young and struggling artists is a quality that unites her and her mother in a harmonized mission: to teach the artists of the world how to better their craft. They started their foundation — Creative Waves Giving Fund — with that simple goal in mind. “As I became successful, I donated a music studio to my alma mater, Sacred Heart, and underwrote the free organic meal program. When my mother, a high school principal, retired in June of 2019 we decided to collaborate and formed the Creative Waves Giving Fund to provide support in the arts to promote gifted and talented students in their pursuit of artistic greatness. Since its formation, we have provided the funding to build a music room for the children of migrant workers at The First Haitian Baptist Child Development Center in impoverished Belle Glade, Florida; and provided the funding for a student of music in her final year at Barry University. She will teach music to the students at Cristo Rey HS in Miami upon graduation. Our Team, including Tayla Parx and Jaimie Zeluck Hindlin, understanding the financial challenges young artists face we hope to continue to make the pursuit of artistic excellence a reality for all the up and coming artists of the future!”
Keeping her focus on her Foundation and her career in songwriting, Tamposi bid us goodbye in a way she knows best, with her words: “Be kind to one another; it’s easier than you think.” These final words match the kindness and the empathy that is the base of who she is. Whether spreading art through her lyrics or happiness while riding a wave, the positivity that Tamposi chooses to focus on in life is truly contagious to those around her; indeed, her music mirrors her life, and we are all along for the ride.
Blazer and pants by AKV by Adi Karni Vagt; Scarf by Pucci; Boots by Charles David Vintage
