Early into her career as an independent singer-songwriter, Tiana Kocher (pronounced Coker) has accomplished a lot.
She debuted as a solo artist at the 2018 Hollywood Music in Media Awards, an organization that acknowledges original music in multimedia. For two consecutive years, Kocher has been center stage at The Soirée, pre-Grammy awards show held during Grammy weekend. The evening is a networking event for celebrities, influencers, and music industry professionals.
"When I perform my own songs, that I have been part of the writing process, I can express the storyline to the audience so much easier."
Moreover, Kocher’s three singles “Just My Type,” “Paint the Town,” and “U Tried It” have climbed the top 40 Indie Charts. “Swing Batter,” her second single, was used in the Cîroc commercial for the movie What Men Want starring Taraji Henson and Tracy Morgan.
The Los Angeles-based Fil-Am artist has worked with some big names in the entertainment industry. Comedians Rob Schneider and Marlon Wayans have had cameo roles in the music video of “Just My Type.” Four-time Grammy-nominated record producer Leon “Roccstar” Youngblood, who created hits for Chris Brown, Usher, and Fergie, produced one of her recent records “U Tried It,” which was released October 2019.
On March 26, Kocher will launch an EP that features collaborations with various Grammy-winners including popular girl group TLC, Faith Evans, and Sage the Gemini.
The 21-year-old singer describes her style as contemporary RnB—a blend of dance beats, rhythm and blues injected with synthesizers, and hip-hop. The upcoming EP will show her range in mainstream pop and classic RnB, written by multi-awarded record producers.
However, Kocher doesn’t stop there. Her forthcoming single, “Por Tiempo,” is a collab with Puerto Rican singer J. Alvarez, who is famous for reggaeton—Latin music with hip-hop.
Tiana (from Cristiana) Kocher was born and raised in the Philippines and studied at the Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts in the UK. An education established a strong foundation for her career.
“I was trained in musical theater in the UK, but it was the music my parents listened to that got me into RnB,” she relates. “I’d come home from school and my mom (Katrina Ponce Enrile) would play Aliyah and Brandy while my dad (James Kocher) played jazz. I absorbed their music, but I also have an appreciation for classical music because the rest of my family loved it.”
Unlike other entertainers who have ghostwriters, Kocher has a huge input in her songs. Most of her themes are about relationships, and loosely her own experiences or those close to her.
“Working on my new music has been so uplifting. Starting from ‘U Tried It’ onwards I have been part of the creative process. My recent music is more of me from the heart,” she shares.
She continues, “When I perform my own songs, that I have been part of the writing process, I can express the storyline to the audience so much easier. It has made a huge difference to me. Needless to say, it’s important for me as an artist to be part of the song from start to finish.”
Her fondness for the RnB scene is echoed in her fashion style—meaningful tattoos, bright 1990s edgy clothing, often bold makeup, and the unique styling of her hair for her music videos. Kocher prefers to style her own music videos, and has fun going through more urban/street lit stores and thrift shops for unusual finds.
“If I’m in a black top my bottom has to be a neon sharpie, and vice versa,” she says.
This year, Kocher plans to release and create more music as well as performing around the US and here in the Philippines.
Check out www.tianakocher.com or @tianakocher on social media for updates.
Photos from @tianakocher/Instagram