Kailen Swensen

Music

Bands & sessions

Bass, vocals and the occasional classical guitar. I've played Seattle stages for the better part of a decade, and I record for other artists when they ask.

Now

Joyla Red

A Seattle quintet that blends the melodic depth of '70s pop with the grit of '90s alternative. Siahna Im (NBC's The Voice) and Bret Dylan write the songs, Siahna's smoky contralto sits up front, and I hold down the low end.

The band grew out of Colorworks: Siahna joined for the 2024 single “The Mirror,” and the band took its name from Colorworks' very first EP.

  1. Aug 2026SpiceboxEP
  2. Sep 2025Into the Fadealbum
  3. Aug 2025Are There Nightclubs in Heaven?single
  4. Jun 2025Doctor (Can You Fix Me?)single
  5. Oct 2024High and Lowalbum
Spotify Bandcamp
Live at The Sand Dollar in Fremont, Seattle, 21 March 2025 (Comatus Films).

2018 – 2024

Colorworks

Neo-psychedelic pop from Seattle, founded by Bret Dylan in 2014. I joined on bass and vocals as the band reformed in 2018–2019, alongside Asher Einhorn on keys and vocals and Deno Durant on drums. That year we released our self-titled EP and won a battle of the bands playing it.

We played across the PNW, including Seattle staples like The Sunset Tavern, Barboza, Nectar Lounge, Tractor Tavern, The High Dive and Conor Byrne. That run produced the full-length Vuja De (2023), and then “The Mirror” (2024), the first single with Siahna Im.

  1. 2018ColorworksEP
  2. 2019The Bright Carvers / Propellerssingle
  3. 2019Ashes and Diamonds / Circles (Reimagined)single
  4. 2020Juliet of the Spiritssingle
  5. 2023Vuja Dealbum
  6. 2024The Mirror (feat. Siahna Im)single
Spotify Bandcamp
Live at Conor Byrne Pub in Ballard, WA.

Side project

The Candyflowers

What began during the pandemic as a casual songwriting project with guitarist/bassist Jesse Quigley quickly became something more. Six months of writing and experimenting produced the Mind Folly EP: indie rock where bright melodies meet reflective verses, with introspective lyrics listeners can read through their own stories.

Spotify

Guest appearances

Sessions

Recording and performing for other artists.

Shayhan · Godspeed and The Race of Love EP, live
Classical guitar. A live session filmed in the Snoqualmie Forest, WA (2020).
Tony D · “Her” (official video)
Bass. From the album 想太多.
Tony D · “Look in the Mirror”
Bass. One of several songs I recorded bass on for the album.

Listen to Tony D's full album 想太多 on Spotify.