Rising Stars: Meet Kiana Corley

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kiana Corley.

Hi Kiana, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up in a musical household, with both of my parents meeting at the music conservatory they were studying at. My childhood influences ranged between classical, motown, rnb, rock, folk, and others. When I was younger, I thought that I wanted to pursue musical theatre. Once I came to terms with the fact that I have two left feet, I decided to learn the guitar and write my own indie/rnb/singer-songwriter songs. I fell in love with it, moved to LA, and haven’t looked back since.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been the smoothest road, but things could’ve also been a whole lot worse! A lot of the struggles I’ve gone through have had to do with large amounts of self-doubt and lack of finances, both of which have made my artist development journey last a lot longer than it needed to last. I’m eternally grateful to my mom for the financial and emotional support when I’ve needed it, and to my friends for being some of the best cheerleaders you could ask for.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a singer/songwriter who specializes in r&b, with influences of folk & pop in my sound as well. I’m the most proud of the ways in which I intentionally challenge myself each time I sit down to create something new – I always want to come up with big or small ways to change things that I do from the last time I did them. I also think something that distinguishes me is how vulnerable and honest I am with the topics I choose to write about and the way that I phrase things when it comes to those topics.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
I didn’t grow up in the most diverse area, so being able to live in a city with so many different types of people has been really nourishing & encouraging to me. The creative scene here is also insane – it’s so large and there’s so many different avenues within music to explore here. I also love all of the taco trucks, how many sunny days LA has, and I love that the beach is just right there whenever we need to escape for some connection with the ocean.

I think what makes me the most sad about this city is how little affordable housing there is. I’m hoping that can change as soon as possible to help all of the people in LA that unaffordable housing is currently affecting.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6c613EFBtkzPX5Vj6C1OgG?si=tao-h84NSv6FyMRphb6haQ
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kianacorleymusic/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjVvtJLGGNjiPNvtg8nHakg

Image Credits
Austin Macasieb, Ergel Cadilenia