With the debut of new rock outfit, ALTIRA, we caught up former Fireflight frontwoman Dawn Michele to talk about the new project, life after Fireflight, and working on our mental health...
This interview took place June 1, 2026

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JFH (John DiBiase): First off, it's really great to hear you making music again! Can you tell our readers a little about what you've been up to since Fireflight retired?

Dawn Michele: When fireflight decided to retire from touring, I decided to go back to teaching. I worked with younger kids this time at an academics focused pre-K school, which I loved! But my kids grew and aged out and then shortly thereafter so did our financial needs. So I left teaching and found a new job that ended up being more flexible, which created space for me to be able to work on releasing new music and touring again!

JFH (John): I know you were doing solo worship music for a while, so what brought you back to making rock music?

Dawn: I personally am a big music fan; I really love all styles of music, though not all lyrical content, lol. But, life is so multifaceted, that I think that there are emotions and experiences to support every level of musical intensity and styling.

I'm obviously a rock music fan, so I was really excited when I had the opportunity to work again with friends who were passionate about rock. I think that we are facing so much difficulty and darkness in the world right now, that the passion and intensity of rock music is a great vessel for the fight we're up against.

JFH (John): And, of course, the obligatory band name question - can you tell us about the name ALTIRA?

Dawn: When we were searching for a name for this project, I knew that the biggest weight on my heart was the current veil of fear I've seen engulfing the faith and love of so many people. I was searching for something that would have a deeper meaning than just a clever name, and we looked at different translations of the words of the verse "Fear Not." They were all a little too complicated until we stumbled upon, Al Tira. which is "Fear Not," in Hebrew. We put them together to make the name ALTIRA.

JFH (John): How did you get connected with your new bandmates?

Dawn: Ash and I had met online a few years back. She was an up-and-coming guitarist looking for guidance as a Christian woman in the music industry. When I felt that God was calling me to do traveling outreach again, some of my advisors helped me realize that I could start a new band! This sounded way better than being a solo artist to me, lol. I remembered talking with Ash years ago and decided to try and find her again. We got to meet up in person for coffee and I found her to be not only a musical genius, but also so genuine and kind and passionate for spreading the message of God's love. Once I found her I thought, "why not try and find more women in music to help young women and girls see themselves in rock music?"

So I started searching for a female drummer and discovered Gina, who had just recently felt inspired to move to Nashville. We met up as well, and she told me she had been fasting and praying that God would reveal her next steps as she had just upheaved her whole life to move to pursue music out on her own. I could see the passion and inner strength in Gina that I knew would inspire women and girls everywhere.

JFH (John): What has inspired these songs lyrically?

Dawn: These songs, like most of the ones I've worked on, are born of pain and struggle, lol. I always draw from my own personal experiences, as well as those of the people around me. God has been working hard on my heart the last few years, helping me to recognize how much I let fear take the wheel for most of my life. The more I face down my own fears, the more I begin to recognize the fear working on the hearts and minds of those around me as well. With the epic loss of control and certainty that the worldwide pandemic brought into our lives, I think that fear has buckled up into the driver's seat of the hearts and minds of the majority of the people of the world. We see so much anger, denial, and grasping for power and control, it almost feels like more then ever before. These songs are born from the anger and sadness and hope that Ive seen and felt through this struggle.

JFH (John): Can you tell us more about "Paper Doll" specifically?

Dawn: "Paper Doll" is very dear to my heart. It was born in support of an abuse advocacy project that I have become a part of during the last few years. I, myself, am a relationship and religious abuse survivor, so it's a cause that is close to my heart and struggle. Many people suffer in silence in abusive relationships - familial, romantic, etc. It's so hard for people to see outside of their own bubble and realize that there are people who need help all around them. This song is a narrative song, which is different from my typical songwriting style, but I hope that it can be a powerful anthem for abuse survivors.

JFH (John): What music have you been listening to that has influenced ALTIRA's sound?

Dawn: Some of the artists I was vibing on during studio time were Blindside, Brand new, Taking Back Sunday, and heavier Jefferson Starship tunes.

JFH (John): You currently have three singles out - what's next for ALTIRA? Another single? An EP? Full album?

Dawn: We will complete the releases of the Death of Fear EP with the final song being released soon, "Paper Doll!" Then we will be back in the studio next month to work on new singles, as well as a few collaborations in the works for later this year.

JFH (John): You recently had a freak accident where you broke your ankle, which has affected your ability to do some live shows. How are you feeling, and how is it looking for being able to perform live?

Dawn: It's been really tough! I've never broken a bone before, and I've never been slowed down like this before! I like to stay busy; hard work is my favorite.

This has proven to be one of the more difficult times of trusting I've faced in my life, and I am so thankful for the support of my friends, family, band, and fans that have literally been carrying me through!

JFH (John): What has God been teaching you lately?

Dawn: I've been in a season of suffering for the last few years. At times, it has felt like I could never expect things to go better. I have worked really hard on my own mental health during this time, with a brokenness that has had me finally willing to break down the hollow walls I've used to protect my heart. The walls my childhood self built to keep me safe have, in reality, been blocking out the sunlight, starving me from growth. The wild thing is, the hits keep coming, but I'm finally able to to see how much stronger I am. Life keeps crashing into me, but now I know I can grieve and then pick myself back up again. Instead of numbing myself out and building my walls higher.

JFH (John): Any last comments?

Dawn: I ask that, in these tumultuous times, that all people who call themselves Christians open their hearts to God and ask Him to remove the veil of fear we have all been letting rule our lives. Ask Him to help you to see your neighbors through His eyes and love them as you love yourself. If you know you don't love yourself, then start working on that to reach the mental and emotional health that you need in order to be the hands and feet of God on this earth.

ALTIRA's three debut singles are available now!

 

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