Oct 7, 2023
In the world of music, one collective is redefining collaboration, creativity, and cultural diversity. Lavender Beat Collective, an inspiring project led by Tien, the founder of Swayde, is our focus today. We explore the collective's vision for music-making, its journey, and its impact on the music industry.
Tell us more about Lavender Beat Collective and its goals.
Tien: We started Lavender Beat Collective to create music in a joyful, flexible, and egalitarian way. We aren’t a band; we’re a practice, and that practice is to celebrate cultural diversity through musical collaboration. We meet weekly on Zoom, and in person when possible, to create new songs. Even though we work through our computers, we primarily record ourselves playing live instruments, with the intention to play the songs live when given the opportunity. When we united in Long Beach to record the live video for “The Path,” it was actually the first time that we had played music together in real life.
How do you balance your role as the founder of Swayde and your creative work within Lavender Beat Collective?
Tien: It’s definitely a challenge, but it helps that I work with people I love, and they keep me accountable. Whether it’s Swayde, Lavender Beat Collective, or my solo project, the foundation for my work is my intention to strengthen the community through music. It’s really one practice.
What inspired you to start Lavender Beat Collective, and what impact do you hope it will have on the music industry?
Tien: The idea was to use all of my experience in artistic collaboration to create a sustainable and enjoyable collaborative music practice. I asked myself, how can I treat my collaborators the way I would like to be treated? How can I make sure everyone involved has ownership over their work and enjoys what they’re making? How can we allow for people to come and go from the practice as desired, while honoring our obligations to each other? So, I created a concept, and one important tenet was that every musician who plays a note on any given song created within the collective is entitled to an equal copyright share of that song. We meet weekly as possible/desired, honor our commitments to each other, communicate freely, support each other, and create whatever inspires us. I hope that whoever enjoys our music and learns of our methods is inspired to create in the spirit of equality and community.
Can you describe the Lavender Beat Collective experience in one sentence?
Tien: Lavender Beat Collective is a harmonious journey where diverse musicians come together to celebrate their unique voices, creating music that transcends boundaries and showcases the beauty of collaboration.
How do you envision Lavender Beat Collective evolving in the music industry and impacting the way musicians create and connect?
Tien: Our vision is to inspire others to embrace equality and community in music creation, recognizing the power of collaboration as a means to celebrate cultural diversity and amplify voices that deserve to be heard.
As we look to the future, how do you see platforms like Lavender Beat Collective shaping the way artists collaborate and innovate?
Tien: In the digital age, platforms like Lavender Beat Collective offer a blueprint for artists to break free from traditional constraints, allowing them to explore, create, and inspire together while forging new frontiers in music-making.
What final message would you like to share with those who aspire to redefine music creation and build inclusive musical communities?
Tien: The essence of music lies in unity and diversity. Embrace collaboration, honor each other's voices, and let the world resonate with the beautiful symphony of inclusivity and creativity.