LaTour is a funk and soul-oriented family band in Sacramento. They combine funky rhythms, dreamy synthesizers and vocal harmonies that make anyone listening want to boogie down. The band wrote and recorded their self-titled first album at home.
Husband Brian LaTour sings and plays guitar and keyboard with his wife, singer Tatiana LaTour. They celebrated 20 years of marriage in 2019, and they've been making music together for almost their entire relationship.
“We had many different configurations of bands,” Brian says. “It wasn’t until we landed on saying, ‘Let’s use all of us who live in this house together,’ because both of our daughters have been musical since they were able to walk.”
Their oldest daughter Sitsa LaTour plays electric bass in the band, and occasionally her little sister Gianina plays drums too.
“I started with drums when I was really little,” says Sitsa. “My dad likes to start everyone with drums because it’s so important to have that rhythm before you start adding notes. I played guitar for a minute, but it was too tedious. I fell in love with bass because it was so similar to drums.”
For Brian, every LaTour song has to pass one important test: Tatiana’s golden ear. “If she digs it, it’s cool. If it doesn’t hit her ear, it’s out. That’s our secret weapon, her ear. It’s like a magic power she has.”
Tatiana appreciates how much her husband trusts her judgment, even though she doesn’t have formal music training. “He’s so humble, so zero ego, and you can tell him anything. Brian has always respected my ideas and contributions.”
The band's main drummer Alfonso Portela is also known around town for his standup comedy. Alfonso came recommended from a mutual friend in the band !!! (Chk Chk Chk) who knew Brian was looking for a drummer. Now, he’s practically family. “He’s our surrogate youngest daughter,” says Brian.
LaTour stopped by the Insight studio in January 2018 to perform live and chat with Beth Ruyak about the new record. You can find a list of upcoming performances by LaTour on their events page.