Sharing music with their community
Swami 3, a group of young brothers, has captivated the city
In a city bustling with nightclubs and live music venues, the last place you might expect to find San Francisco’s best-kept musical secret is tucked into the Noe Valley Farmers’ Market.
Swami 3, a group of young brothers who live in the neighborhood with their family, has become familiar at the weekend market over the past few years, where the boys have captivated busy shoppers with their dazzling performances.
The Swaminathan siblings — pianist Rohan, 15, along with drummer Shaan and guitarist Noah, 13-year-old twins — have honed their act since 2014. Their public debut took place in 2017 at St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church in Diamond Heights, where they showcased a diverse repertoire ranging from the Indian national anthem “Jana Gana Mana” to classics like Don McClean’s “American Pie” and the Beatles’ “Drive My Car” and “Let It Be.”
Chronicle photographer Lea Suzuki has followed the band’s steady rise, capturing performances across the city. Suzuki describes Swami 3 as a “modern-day Partridge Family,” referencing the 1970s TV series centered on a traveling family band, with parents Anand and Laura dutifully serving as roadies and wholeheartedly supporting their sons’ musical endeavors.
“The amount of fun that’s infused into music for them is a really big deal,” Anand Swaminathan said. “None of it is about a chore.”
Fueled by their parents’ encouragement, the brothers’ musical education began early, with daily practice sessions at their Noe Valley condo under the guidance of their music teacher, Phil Surtees. Over time, they transitioned from individual players to a harmonious ensemble.
“We would go down to the Noe Valley Farmers’ Market every week and enjoy the live performers,” Laura Swaminathan said. “I think that gave them a really good example of what it is to share with your community. And they grew up appreciating that and wanting to emulate it.”
During the pandemic lockdown, the brothers found innovative ways to connect with their community. They performed in front of their building for neighbors and initiated a challenge inviting friends and family to request songs, fostering a sense of unity during the isolating times.
Despite juggling their musical passion with academics, sports and friendships, they have performed at various events, including the Haight-Ashbury Street Fair and Thrive City at Chase Center.
“We explained to them that, as parents, we want them to have every option open,” Anand said. “They are straight-A students in school, and we’ve encouraged them that that’s not something they can slip or let go. However, we encourage them that if music is their passion, let’s bring them the resources, the right people, the right context.”