Meet Tiana Woods | Singer, Songwriter & Realtor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tiana Woods and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tiana, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I have been singing since I was 4 years old. Even at that young age, I instinctively knew that when I was singing and being creative that I wanted to continue to do that as long as I could. Follow that feeling. I also realized in about the first grade, that routine education–which leads to routine employment–was not going to work for me. I graduated high school by the skin of my teeth. No one told me that it wasn’t that I was inadequite, it was just that I was an artistic entrepreneur. Entrepreneurs are some of the hardest working people out there because we don’t get to clock out. We will work multiple hours in the day so that we can achieve our desired results for ourselves and our businesses. I graduated college in Music Business with almost a 4.0 GPA. I started and founded VARNA in 2010 because I couldn’t find a band to join, so I started the type of band I wanted to be in. It has been an amazing experience of highs and lows, triumphs and defeats. We were one the first unsigned female fronted bands to have 2 consecutive Top 40 singles on the Billboard Mainstream Rock charts, won “People’s Choice” at the Independent Rock Music Awards, were nominated at the Independent Music Awards for “Rock Song of the Year’ and had the pleasure to perform and tour with some amazing acts. A lot of people are terrified to take risks with their lives, but I have realized that it is the only way to live. We only get one shot at this.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What I am most proud of is that was I was able to prove that if you can get your music in front of the people who need it, remarkable things can happen for you.

Even after the Billboard Chart singles, the awards, the performances, there are still people out there that are not going to believe in you. Those are not your people. Just because someone else is successful, does not mean that they will help you get there. Find people that are excited to work with you and will help you to progress and succeed. Go where the excitement and action is. Those qualities are infectious and can overcome many obstacles and challenges!

I’ve been underestimated my entire life by the people around me (teachers, A&R, friends, family, etc) There were several years when I was the only one that believed in myself. As a woman, it is very difficult in this society to excel. We have our own specific mountain to climb. I had to learn to accept my insecurities and not let it hold me back from what I wanted. In fact, I use them to my advantage. I also know what I can bring to the table and I know my strengths. If you are able to, team up and outsource your weaknesses.

People want to see themselves in you, don’t be afraid to be vulnerable and connect.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
For starters, I would take them to The Griddle, an amazing breakfast spot on the Sunset Strip. We could hit the Griffith Observatory and check out the infamous Hollywood Sign. Then we could stop by Lark Bakery, for a snack–their red velvet cupcakes are to die for! I would take them to my favorite Mexican restaurant in LA, El Coyote, for dinner. We could catch a show on the Sunset Strip and then head to The Rainbow Room for drinks and their amazing late night pizza.

I would take them to Farmer’s Market to check out the shops and check out LACMA then we could head to the beach. Venice for the people watching and Malibu’s PCH for a nice sunset drive, catch a show at The Hollywood Bowl and do dinner at Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles afterwards.

If they are into amusement parks we can either hit Universal Studios or Magic Mountain, not forgetting to swing by Vitello’s for their spaghetti and meatballs–the best in town!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My dear friend, Crazy Tomes, who recommended me for this piece. We met when we were 16 years old in a hotel lobby in Memphis, Tennessee. I have never met anyone like myself who wanted to be a professional musician. We stayed in contact and I convinced him to move out to LA at 18 and we started a blues band together. Even though the group didn’t work out, we have always supported each other. It has both taken us years to get to where we are now.

I want to thank all the people in my life who have supported my dreams and decisions. I am so thankful to have them in my life. They know who they are.

Last but certainly not least, our #VARNAFAMILY. Supporters of VARNA who come out to shows, download and stream our music and have become family to us. Thank you for believing in us.

Website: www.varnarocks.com

Instagram: instagram.com/varnarocks

Twitter: twitter.com/varnarocks

Facebook: facebook.com/varnarocks

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/varnaband

Image Credits
Enrique Nunez Paul A. Hebert Maya Kay Jonathan Heier