Tien Viet Nguyen's Insights into Crafting Musical Magic in the Freelance World

Tien Viet Nguyen's Insights into Crafting Musical Magic in the Freelance World

Nov 14, 2023

In the ever-evolving landscape of music collaboration, platforms like Swayde are pioneering the future. Today, we delve into the insights of Tien, the founder of Swayde, as he shares his recent freelance project experience with Nico from Kollektiv Turmstrasse. While their collaboration took place on a different platform, it underscores the pivotal role that innovative platforms play in shaping the future of musical partnerships.


Tien's journey as an artist began in his teenage years, intertwining philosophy and theatre studies with his passion for songwriting, recording, and performance. His journey into the world of freelancing took flight when Nico discovered him, recognizing Tien's prowess as a vocalist and songwriter. What started as a typical job transformed into a deep connection, birthing a lasting friendship and creative partnership.

"I started writing songs as a teenager studying philosophy and theatre in university. Since then, I have continued to explore songwriting, recording, and performance as avenues of expression, learning, and contribution to society."

The project, which later became the soulful track "Hold Me Back," presented Tien with an instrumental and a chorus vocal melody idea. With a 70s feel as the guiding theme, Tien embraced the challenge of infusing natural and meaningful creativity into the song.

Tien's approach involved deep immersion into the instrumental, allowing inspiration to guide his vocal recordings. The collaboration with Nico unfolded seamlessly, with Tien submitting his ideas, which Nico expertly arranged and manipulated to fit his vision. The process was marked by natural alignment, making it an extraordinary experience for both artists.

Positive feedback and encouragement characterized the collaboration. Nico's revisions, involving manipulation of vocal recordings, were embraced by Tien, appreciating the unique expressions brought forth through the production and editing process.

To bring his artistic vision to life, Tien utilized tools like Ableton Live 11, UAD Twin X Duo interface, JZ BH1S microphone, Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro headphones, and worked in Estúdio DiscoJazz in Balneario Camboriu, SC Brasil.

"I just do my best to serve the song and make music that I would enjoy, making the best recordings I can manage to make at any given moment."

Tien usually dedicates one to two weeks to complete the songwriting and lead vocals for a project, maintaining a disciplined yet flexible approach.

The freelance project reinforced the importance of always giving one's best. Tien emphasizes the commitment to serving the song and creating music that resonates, regardless of the project's scale or audience. The positive outcome of this collaboration motivates Tien to approach future freelance opportunities with enthusiasm, armed with the knowledge that doing one's best can lead to unexpected and rewarding outcomes.

The key elements Tien aims to carry forward from this collaboration are positivity, open communication, and humility. These pillars, he believes, are essential for fostering successful and fulfilling creative partnerships.


As platforms like Swayde continue to shape the landscape of music collaboration, Tien's journey with Nico stands as a testament to the power of connection, creativity, and the unwavering commitment to doing one's best in the ever-evolving world of freelance projects.


Stay connected with Tien and Nico and explore more of their creative journeys, follow them on Instagram @TienMusic @NicoKollektiv