Meet the musician making it happen
By Kendra Esau, DSM Magazine
Des Moines may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of Latin fusion music, but Lorena Eclatt hopes to change that.
Known simply as Lani on stage, the self-taught singer, songwriter, keyboardist and accordion player was born to Colombian immigrants in Coral Springs, Florida, and grew up here in Iowa. Her background has inspired her to promote Latino music and culture here in the Midwest.
“I moved to Des Moines when I was really young, so it felt like it was home to me,” she said. “It helped me be a lot more introspective than I probably could have been if I was in Florida.”
Some of that introspection came from Iowa’s long winters, which forced her to spend time indoors and look inward to write her songs. “I really love Des Moines’ quietness,” she said. “It helps you listen inside of who you are and what your feelings are.”
A PROMISING START
Lani’s musical journey began when she picked up a violin in the fourth grade. From there, she taught herself to play piano through YouTube tutorials. She originally wanted to be an author, but with the piano, that goal took a new form……
