Meet Aydra J Swan | Elemental artist, musician and creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Aydra J Swan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Aydra J, why did you pursue a creative career?
The arts and creative life choose you in so many ways, the idea that our dreams are also chasing us, I’ve always felt that way. As a young songwriter, creative, and performance artist, I didn’t feel constricted in my pursuit, however, I also was often left to conjure my encouragement, I felt the art itself nourished and pushed me. Each time I created something I had a high all my own, it was also the closest I felt to presence, an inner calm and peace. No one ever had an agenda for me, so I felt free to blaze my path, it didn’t occur to me til much later on the adversity I might face allowing music and the arts to choose me. Without a formal education, I somehow always adhered to my discipline, and aside from having to generate an income early on, I always ended up in beautifully inspired locations with wonderful people and opportunities. On my feet. I didn’t grow up with money and wasn’t born into it so I learned to hustle young, I believe that in combination with a strong bond of love from my family and community, I had the courage to believe and stay dedicated to the arts as an entrepreneur and visionary. In the end, I made a firm choice to choose my art, no matter the challenges, because ultimately it is and always will be my happiness and joy, my reason to live, and my purpose here.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
To begin, it has not been easy! Jared Leto infamously once told me which I believe Bono told him, ‘No one ever said it was gonna be easy’. It’s that classic piece of advice you get from your heroes which encourages the advice, ‘Never meet your heroes’. I emerged from the last 20 years of a tireless and inspired pursuit as a pop artist to this moment where I can call myself ‘An Elemental Artist’. I combine original dance/pop music which I write and co-produce alongside exciting performance art such as; fire dancing, aerial arts, shows in remote deserts or cenotes of Mexico, and underwater diving and dancing to my published works. I dedicated myself to producing and playing music built around circus arts and collaborations with performers back in my early 20s in Los Angeles and continue to this day building my exclusive SupperClub concept, Odyssee in the high desert of Joshua Tree. We invite an intimate group to dine together over a themed table while enjoying the live show and story of Odyssee. I sing live while in the lyra hoop spinning often 20 feet from the ground as well as with live fire weilding through the air. I believe this is what sets me apart from other songwriters and performers in the pop vien with maybe the exception of P!nk! It’s important to me to bring the elements into my storytelling on stage, as it reminds us where we come from and of our connection to nature and the stars. I’ve had to fight for this dream and there were many times I was ready to give up. To overcome adversity I looked to my community for advice and resources, I didn’t stay isolated. I also took steps to broaden my audience with travel and seeking agency to represent my show and music. I have also learned that when I’m inspired or looking to get there, it’s a time to be alone and nourished by self-love. I’ve learned the importance of choosing your art back, it will choose you and you must rise to the occasion, with the bravery to put aside everything else, make sacrifice, and know that commitment will ultimately allow you to reach the audience that needs your uniqe medicine and who will drive your success.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Los Angeles will forever have my heart and If asked 15 years ago I’d take them down hwy 1 straight to Topanga Canyon and hike up into the park, stop at the Canyon Bistro for lunch, maybe the Canyon Gourmet for some wine, and stay in an old hippies Airbnb. These days I’m an East LA girl through and through. Silverlake was my community for 5 years and I adored having oysters and champagne at L & E, seeing or playing a show at the Silverlake Lounge, maybe a drink at the Thrisy Crow or late-night Thai at Same Same. Also, bowling and karaoke at the Highland Bowl followed by cocktails at Checker Hall, maybe even hit up York for a live show in Eagle Rock. These days even Mt. Washington and Frogtown have some upcoming tapas bars and cafes. We could also hike up the Angeles Crest mountains, this was my playground when I lived in the city and I shot many music videos up at Mt. Wilson, I’d chase snowstorms up there or waterfalls at the Switzer trail. That was my escape. To me this is one of our most unexplored gems, you’ll always have downtown LA to go up to the 13th floor at Perch for live music and delicious food, but a picnic above the clouds at 9000 feet can not be beat!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to thank Juliet Annerino, a wonderfully inspired woman and friend I met over 10 years ago while living in Silverlake in Los Angeles. Juliet also has dedicated her life to the arts, as. a performer and writer, and travels the world uniquely as I do. She always brings a live flame into the room with her energy and encouragement and has likely come to just about every show or event I’ve invited her to. She’s a true friend and also a hard-working artist and collaborator, someone you get the feeling that you’ll know forever and have possibly walked lives with or will join lives with in the future. Thank you for always believing in me and the music I create! I adore you always.

Website: https://www.aydrajswan.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aydrajswan/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsalCAmm-414-Ved12xJ5FA

Image Credits
Featured image plus first 4 and 6’th – Rami Iimar Image 5 – James Atiken Image 7 – Micaelo Moura Image 8 – Sean Webb