Tiana : I was born in Santa Clara County to William and Judy Noyes (pronounced like "noise"), so no, I didn't plan it. It was just kinda thrown on me. Actually, when I was a kid, I wanted to change it cause I got made fun of all the time, but I soon learned that I was given my name for a reason, so why not stick with it?

Sonicpress : When did you get your start? What, or who, was your inspiration?

Tiana : I started playing piano when I was 5 years old, and 2 years later, decided to pick up a guitar. Many instruments followed, but the guitar seems to be what I mainly enjoy. I grew up listening to Janis Ian, Milli Jackson, and Joan Baez (Whom I had the pleasure of meeting last year, but she probably doesn't remember lil ole me). Later on, my interests drifted. I got more into the classics, such as Etta James, Billy Holiday.... etc., then rock entered my life. Linda Perry from 4 Non Blondes, The Cranberries, Joan Osborne, Natalie Merchant, Sarah McLachlan, Sheryl Crow, and most recently, I latched onto Ani Difranco because I related most to her voice and music, very poetic and rhythmic. I've always liked funk and jazz, lots of soul, with a few Bjork notes belted out here and there, just cause they're fun to do. I guess you could say there is definitely a Sinead O'Connor influence there, too. I really can't say who exactly influenced me the most. I write what I feel, and feel what I write, and so sometimes you can hear one of my influences pop up, and it's pretty noticeable, but it's always just me being myself.

Sonicpress : Did you ever stand in front of the mirror and think, "I want to be a rock star!"?

Tiana : Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to be a rock star. When I was in middle school, I signed everyone's yearbook and wrote, "Keep this! I'm gonna be famous!" or something like that. I always knew I was born for it, cause I really can't do anything else. I've only known music as my thing. I've tried other niches such as sports and drawing, and even writing short stories, but it just never compares to music to me. I've been doing it so long, it's like another language, and sometimes it gets in the way (laugh). Sometimes I'll be having a conversation with someone, and all of the sudden, I'll hear a beat or a melody going on somewhere else, and completely lose the whole conversation. It used to drive me nuts in class when the teacher would put on music during tests. It's like having to translate into Chinese when you hear your native language being spoken in the background (no I don't speak Chinese but I wish I did).

Sonicpress : At your show at the Usual, you had a really good turnout, even though you're not 21. Do you want to talk about you being only 20 and not 21 yet?

Tiana : Well I'm not 21, and that kinda bites, cause I can't stay after the shows at the places I play. We were very excited about the show at The Usual, and it was a great show. I loved playing it, and it didn't hurt that it was our first show. I am fortunate that most of my friends are all over 21. A lot are around 30 years old or more. Unfortunately, the friends that aren't 21 couldn't come and see the show. I'm in that in between stage. I wish there were some all ages clubs in San Jose, just because everyone needs a place to hang out and keep out of trouble. I wish I could mingle a little more with my friends after shows, but that's the laws ya know. I actually have a lot of people on my mailing list that are under 21, so it's hard when I have to play a 21 and over show, and some of the biggest fans aren't old enough to get in and support. I want my music to apply to all ages, not just kids, and not just people over 21. I may be young, but I have a message, and everyone can get something different out of it, no matter how old they are.

Sonicpress : You have a very large grrl following. Was that planned, or do you want everyone to get your music?

Tiana : I really want everyone to get my music. My grandma listens to my music, My mom listens to my music. My dad gets up and starts dancing to my music, which is hard to get him to do. I mean, all kinds of people are my target audience. I really don't think anyone should have a target audience, just because it really limits the message. I mean, of course I'm going to have a strong female following because I am one, and yeah, I do advertise to them a lot, just because I play a lot of women's events, but the music is the same whether it be a man or a woman singing it, so why should the audience be limited to just men or women?

Sonicpress : Who are "the boys" in the band?

Tiana : I was born for the Boys in the Band. My drummer Mark Gregersen was talking about the day he decided to play the drums. He went to Vallco Shopping Center, and Buddy Rich was playing a free concert there. It was the only one he did at Vallco. Mark decided that was what he wanted to do. Well, it so happened that my mother took me, as a baby, to that very same Buddy Rich concert. And right around that same time, after playing piano since he was 5 years old, Todd Reid decided to play the bass guitar. I met Mark through my sister Regina, the lead singer for Magic Wanda, and he got us into the No Doubt show at the Edge. Mark's cousin is Tom Dumont from No Doubt. The next day, I emailed Mark, thanking him for getting us in and back stage, and I asked him if he knew of any drummers and bass players looking for a band, and he responded right away with an "I am your drummer". He came to a practice and brought Todd, who was initially going to play keyboards, but then he turned out to be one of the best bass players I have ever heard. Everything in my life has been irony. My boys just popped into my life, and it was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. They are my best friends, and I couldn't picture life without them. Mark has an absolutely wonderful wife and two children that are very supportive, and put up with me coming over a lot, and taking up his time, and I am very grateful for that. I couldn't ask for a better situation

Sonicpress : How would you describe yourself, (honestly) if you were in a chat room?

Tiana : Kinda Wild, not extremely attractive, but I'm not ugly. Not into nudie pictures and no, I'm not horny...ha ha. That's usually the question everyone asks me as soon as I enter a chat room.

Sonicpress : Ok, now if you weren't so honest?

Tiana : Well, if they were annoying me, and I wanted them to leave me alone, I just pretend that I'm a man and that usually does the trick.

Sonicpress : Any deep dark secrets?

Tiana : Doesn't everyone... here I'll tell ya one... When I was 5 years old I... I... I stole the lucky charms from that little leprechaun guy... (Bawling her eyes out)... I confess, but they tasted soooo good, and I couldn't just eat one bowl... poor little guy... I'm sorry... ha ha. I forgot to say, I started singing when I was 15. Before then, I was so afraid of singing in front of people that I wouldn't even sing in the shower, cause someone might walk into the house and hear me.

Sonicpress : How do you see yourself in ten years?

Tiana : In 10 years, I see myself... God I don't know... I'm kind of a "now" person. I guess, 10 years down the road, I see myself being the same person I am, with a few life changes here and there. I'm not too proud to change, if it's a change for the good. I see myself with my boys playing shows, basically having fun. I really would love to have other people do my music. I wouldn't mind being another Carole King, whom, I might add, is another influence of mine.

Sonicpress : I know you're young, but any regrets so far?

Tiana : I regret a few things I said when I was like, 16. I thought I was being cool and trying to impress people. I met one of my guitars idols, and she gave me her home address, and the 16-year-old nut case that I was, wrote her too much, so she never answered me back. But that's a long time ago. I've grown up a little, and been in the music scene enough to not get so wild when I meet people I totally idolize. I don't think anyone is past the idolization of famous people until they get there, and even when they get there... Are they really past it? I don't know. I still think about it sometimes, and know that I probably burned my bridge with the guitar idol, and I really could have used her on some tracks, but oh well. I learned one thing from it... Never give your home address to some whacked out teen you meet at a concert.

Sonicpress : So how can one find you on the World Wide Web?

Tiana : This is a very good question. I'm glad you asked. We are currently working on our CD right now, and will be selling it on our website for a while when it is completed. For now, we are selling our 3 song demo, and may be adding merchandise such as t-shirts and stuff. The address is http://www.tiananoyes.com. We are also listed in Yahoo and a few other search engines.

Interview conducted by Sonicpress staff writer, Rob Frost.