Today we’d like to introduce you to Lotus Collective
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Lotus Collective is a band that hails from Miami, Florida. Their name states the intention of the band: a safe haven for artists to flourish despite any conditions. Members of Lotus Collective had individual music careers and came together to create a unique sound that is a staple of Miami.
Ivan Leyton moved to Miami in 2015 alongside Samuel Little, they were part of the band Bomboyash that produced the EP En La Nave in Caracas, Venezuela. Escaping the turmoil from their home country, Miami welcomed them where they continued their musical endeavors. In Miami, they met with Kai Lotus who was a founding member of the band until he left to continue his solo career. Ivan had a previous fascination for the lotus flower that thrives despite difficult conditions, so the encounter with an amazing artist that carried the name of such flower made it seem meant to be. Together with Sam and fine artist and drummer Julian Castro, Lotus Collective started in 2021, the band debuted at the Fireflies Festival in Homestead. The band has since then morphed and expanded. Julian Bermudez, an exceptional keyboard player joined the band through Gus Martinez, a friend of the band and booking agent. At this point, the band had their first big show at Oasis Wynwood. With Julian, Marcelo Romero, his best friend and saxophone virtuoso, joined the band to its current configuration. Eventually the latin drummer Renzo Vargas joined the band for about a year, helping them acquire a more latin flare. More recently, Marvin Clairsaint, also a drummer virtuoso joined the band. Currently, the band is composed of Ivan Leyton (guitar and vocals), Samuel Little (bass and vocals), Julian Bermudez (Keyboard and vocals), Marcelo Romero (saxophone) and Marvin Clairsaint (drums).
Lotus left their first dent on the Miami scene by starting a unique jam at South Point park in Miami Beach, every Sunday. It started when Ivan brought his electric guitar for fun to the park with some friends and local DJ Eclectico. Hundreds of locals and tourists attended the jam and danced to the sunset. The music jam grew and eventually it became a drum circle when drummers from the already established full moon drum circle that happens monthly at Miami Beach joined the Sunday jam. After a lot of back and forth with park rangers and police, the Miami Beach police banned all music and dancing on the park, after a drummer was detained by the police.
Lotus Collective has played at major venues in Miami like Oasis Wynwood, Faena Forum, the Perez Art Museum, Frost Museum and many more. The band has released multiple singles on all platforms, including Aguita de Coco which was partly written at the South Point jam; Latina, an ode to Latin women, Penelope, a cover from the band Bomboyash and Escultura an upbeat cumbia song.
The music of Lotus Collective can be described as a melting pot between Carlos Santana, Los Amigos Invisibles, Rawayana and a jazzy flare that comes from their virtuoso keyboard players and saxophonist that love bands like the Ezra Collective and Weather Report.
In 2024 Lotus Collective met the prolific producer Cheo Pardo, former member of Los Amigos Invisibles and producer of Rawayana, amongst others through the DJ EarCandy. The band is currently recording their first lengthy production with Cheo in Miami. The EP will contain 5 or 6 tracks and is set to be released on 2025.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has had many ups and downs. At the beginning, the band had a lot of activity with shows in Miami almost every weekend. With the South Point jam bringing a lot of attention to the band, the early days were full of bliss and excitement. With the jam being banned by the police, the band switched gears to private shows and concerts at more established venues.
2024 has been generally slower for live music shows in Miami, mostly due to the slow down of the economy and many venues thinking twice before hiring live music. However, the band remains optimistic and excited for their current album recording.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Lotus Collective is a band from Miami. We specialize in making people feel good and dance. One of our fans once told us that we made them feel like the were on vacation. Our friends and fans dance and get excited with every show and new song. We are known for being a band that gets you on your feet ready to dance and celebrate life. Our music has a flare of latin rhythms and a jazzy influence.
We were initially known for founding the South Point music jam and our Open Jams at venues like Mickey Burkes where we brought together local talent to showcase their music. Nowadays, we are a staple band of Miami at venues like Oasis and the Perez Art Museum.
We are the most proud of the music we have released and our current EP recording with Cheo Pardo.
What sets us apart is our sound, we play songs that people don’t expect and our show is a rollercoaster of emotions for our audience, we take them through moments of tension, silence, fast pace rhythms and ecstatic tunes that makes them feel like there’s nothing else but to make their bodies move.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory is the first time I picked up the guitar. It was a day Sam (bass player of Lotus) brought an acoustic guitar to my home and showed me the song Spanish Romance. I fell in love with the guitar ever since. – Ivan Leyton
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lotuscollectivemusic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lotuscollectivemusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZf3_rWKDpI
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4Urpa1JAxXdZw5MrrpDWmA
Image Credits
Lucas McGuire
