Thien Lan Weber

France

Teacher/School: Ecole Associative de Musique de Roquefort-les-Pins (France), teacher: Yann Baldacchino

Hi, I’m Thien-Lan, 45, living in the South of France. I only took 2 years of formal drums lessons but my story with music goes a long way.

I studied the piano at a Conservatoire in Paris for 8 years as a child. It was classical music, all work, no play 🙁 Since I was a teenager I’ve been obsessed with 90’s rock and grunge music, but my upbringing led me to get a Masters degree, and a “serious” job, and as the years went by, I knew the only place I could perform like a rockstar was… in my dreams.

In my late 20’s I start playing Rockband on Playstation with my husband and friends, picked up the drums part, and got into it thanks to the rock tracks and the game’s practice mode! Then I went on with my corporate career, had a family, and moved 4 times in 3 countries.

For my 40th birthday, my husband gave me an Alesis Crimson Mesh electronic kit, and I discovered hi-hat and cymbals!

Two years later, we moved again, and despite my total lack of technique and experience with acoustic kits, I dared put my hand up to fill a gap in a band at the local music school. It was the best thing ever.

I then took up formal lessons with Yann Baldacchino who was both our band’s teacher and a drums teacher, and I improved so much in two years! After I got tendinitis, I decided to focus more on active listening, connecting my band members, enhancing the overall vibe, and conveying emotions to our audience. This is exactly what I wanted to show in this video.

I’ve been with South Attitude, our gender-equal rock pop band (3 women, 4 men) since the end 2019 (minus Covid). We perform at the music school, local bars, and community events. Playing on the center stage of our town at “la Fête de la Musique” in 2022 made my little girl’s dream come true!

Also, I work in Tech, a similarly male-dominated sector, so with this competition entry I want to say to all women: ” You’ve got this. You’re amazing, you can rely on your own talents to succeed in whatever field you choose. Don’t be shy, trust yourself, give it a go and it will work out”

Thank you to those who make HLAG this possible and for reading my bio til the end.

25 Comments

  1. DianeHirakawa DianeHirakawa on April 2, 2023 at 11:55 am

    Hi, I liked you entering a tune with the band. For the past 8 yrs, I did, too. But this year, everyone was busy so I created a swing tune alone. It felt different but I am glad I tried. You history is quite unique so congrats on your versatility. 🙂

  2. Thien Lan on April 3, 2023 at 12:00 am

    Hi Diane, thank you for your kind words. I like practicing with tracks but for me nothing beats the feeling of playing with the band and it gave me a brand new purpose in life!

  3. nadkelly nadkelly on April 3, 2023 at 10:55 am

    Keep on rockin! You killed it and had fun!! You made my day today.

  4. Brent Peterson on April 12, 2023 at 2:52 pm

    Awesome. You are rocking it. We need to put the Magento band back together.

    • thienlan.weber@gmail.com thienlan.weber@gmail.com on April 14, 2023 at 9:23 am

      Thanks Brent!
      Was there ever a Magento band? I want to see that!
      Do you play?

  5. Nicole Peters Nicole Peters on April 12, 2023 at 4:29 pm

    Very cool! Also a huge fan of 90’s Grunge💗🌊

    • thienlan.weber@gmail.com thienlan.weber@gmail.com on April 14, 2023 at 9:24 am

      Thanks Nicole!
      Starting a cover of Nirvana’s the Man who sold the world now 🙂

  6. Juliet Mackenzie on April 12, 2023 at 5:10 pm

    LOVE LOVE LOVE this, you rock!

    • thienlan.weber@gmail.com thienlan.weber@gmail.com on April 14, 2023 at 9:25 am

      Thanks Juliet! Definitely not something I could do while the kids were young.
      I’d love to see you sing one day.

  7. CFee CFee on April 13, 2023 at 7:08 am

    bravo !!! et totalement d’accord avec la mention “Don’t be shy, trust yourself, give it a go and it will work out” ! belle continuation à toi !

    • thienlan.weber@gmail.com thienlan.weber@gmail.com on April 14, 2023 at 9:25 am

      Merci CFee!

  8. Maier Bianchi on April 13, 2023 at 4:27 pm

    Thanks for sharing your story and your music!

    • thienlan.weber@gmail.com thienlan.weber@gmail.com on April 14, 2023 at 9:26 am

      Ha thanks for reading it all.
      I know you’re more into rap, I need to find a good one to cover.

  9. Thomas Bianco on April 13, 2023 at 11:59 pm

    a real eCom professional and a real good drummer too! #girlpower

  10. Thomas Bianco Thomas Bianco on April 14, 2023 at 12:09 am

    great eCom professional, a valued friend and a rockin drummer too! #girlpower

    • thienlan.weber@gmail.com thienlan.weber@gmail.com on April 15, 2023 at 12:01 am

      Thank you Thomas! Much appreciated:)

  11. Véronique Wijnolst on April 14, 2023 at 5:46 am

    Bravo Thien Lan ! Super idée de participer à ce concours. Je te souhaite bonne chance

    • thienlan.weber@gmail.com thienlan.weber@gmail.com on April 15, 2023 at 12:00 am

      Merci Vero! Je suis encore loin du haut du tableau 😅

  12. Julien Weber on April 16, 2023 at 5:45 am

    Rock on!!

    • thienlan.weber@gmail.com thienlan.weber@gmail.com on April 25, 2023 at 8:46 am

      Merci Juju! Hâte de jouer avec les garçons Weber… de Neuilly!

  13. Arron Moss on April 21, 2023 at 11:00 pm

    Loved reading this. Always dreamed/hoped I would find time to learn drums or piano. Still time yet. Inspired by your comments of playing in front of loved ones! 😘

    • thienlan.weber@gmail.com thienlan.weber@gmail.com on April 25, 2023 at 8:48 am

      If only your favorite software supplier didn’t give you so much work! 🙈

  14. Zidi Sophia on April 24, 2023 at 11:10 pm

    Good luck Thien Lan! 🙌🤟🏼

  15. thienlan.weber@gmail.com thienlan.weber@gmail.com on April 25, 2023 at 8:48 am

    Takk Sophia!

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