Review Fix chats with singer/songwriter Tiana Kocher, who discusses her creative process, goals and more.
Review Fix: How did you get involved in music?
Tiana Kocher: I was always singing growing up, my mom always put me in musical theatre camps, ballet classes, jazz classes, the sort… but when I reached my early teens – teen years I became an athlete, I played softball, soccer and volleyball. Unfortunately, I tore my calf muscle which then led me to singing again, since I had a lot of free time. After high school, I studied musical theatre at the Cambridge School of Visual and Performing arts, graduated in 2018 with Honors and moved to LA shortly after!
Review Fix: What’s your creative process like?
Kocher: When it comes to writing we usually lay a melody first then write lyrics on top of it. When it comes to actually recording the song, I like having all the lights out and just really focus, and not letting anything distract me. I definitely need good vibes and energy coming from everyone in the room, if one person is off it really throws off the whole session.
Review Fix: What inspires you?
Kocher: I am inspired by many things. My work environment is important to me, as I feed off of others, their dedication and hard work. It inspires me to see how much magic comes from my team. They are my driving force.
In addition, I am inspired by other artists that take control of their careers and move to the beat of their own drum. I am inspired by JoJo, Kehlani and Snoh Aalegra.
Review Fix: How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard you?
Kocher: Vibrant, eclectic, raw, fresh, icy!
Review Fix: How are your live shows different from your studio work?
Kocher: When I am in the studio, it is a very familiar setting, in the sense that I walk into the room, and know everyone there. It feels like home. Like a comfy couch. The honey and lemon are ready to go for me. When I am on stage performing, I take on a different persona. My dancers make me feel electrified, they have such amazing positive energy, you can’t help but feel on a natural high. The audience’s reaction is so important to me – if they are having fun, I am just charged even more. I love both aspects of my job.
Review Fix: What inspired your latest single?
Kocher: It’s a funny story actually. My publicist and I were in the studio with record producer RoccStar, just finishing up on a song, when we asked for an upbeat, more of a dance heavy beat, for a new song. He went through his catalogue of beats and up popped a text tone sample. Instantly I asked him to play more. Everyone in the room just got excited and there was no going back. We knew this was the beat for us to put more meat to and create fun lyrics.
We really played off the whole text tone notification sample and explored what happens when you send a text message in error to the wrong person. The song opens with a girl receiving a text from a new flame inviting her over. She jumps in the car to go and meet with him, however when she gets there, he looks shocked to see her. At that moment she realizes that the text she received, was not actually meant for her. So, he basically was trying it on, with two girls. Hence the song title, U Tried It, but clearly got caught. I love this song, because it has some girl power elements and is totally relatable with society being on their phones all the time, typing fast without double checking.
Review Fix: What’s next?
Kocher: I plan to release a few more singles before my album next year, and we are about to release the music video for ‘U Tried It’ on December 1st. I can’t wait for you all to see it – check it out!
In 2020, I hope to be touring with another artist, or at the very least showcase my work with gigs and special appearances.
Review Fix: Anything else you’d like to add? Any hidden passions?
Kocher: Aside from my love of music, and my corgi Ferg, I love love love fashion! I am definitely passionate about styling and if I wasn’t in music, I would be a stylist or fashion consultant. I actually style all my music videos and everyone in it so if there’s a feature, I style them, the dancers, etc… I make the mood board and just go from there. That’s one of my hidden passions!
Find out more about Tiana Kocher at: www.tianakocher.com
Instagram: @tianakocher
Twitter: @tianakocher
Facebook: @tianakocher
Youtube: @tianakocher
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