Authority Magazine - Meet Nashville's Rising Stars: Singer-Songwriter Siena
Meet Nashville’s Rising Stars: Singer-Songwriter Siena
As a part of our series about Nashville’s rising stars, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Siena. Trading traditional, flat countryside pastures for impeccable mountainscapes, dry desert richness and gleaming strip lights, Siena is a neon cowgirl out of none other than Las Vegas. Siena’s rodeo stage is set, having already shared it with Rascal Flatts, Big & Rich, and Rodney Atkins, to name a few. These artists also are her influences along with modern country music icons like Carrie Underwood and Kasey Musgraves. Unlike most artists her age, she moves away from modern country-pop and dives more into her roots of 2000s country, in both her music and fashion. A bolo tie resting confidently around her neck and a wide brim hat shading her eyes, Siena is an artist the twenty-first century has yet to see. To her, being an artist means spreading positivity and encouragement like the west coast sunshine. “I hope to engage my audiences with positivity and love,” says Siena. “With the lyrics and melodies created, I want people to engage that ‘at home’ feeling when they hear my music. I want my listeners to feel fun, encouraged, lively, and free.” Siena’s sunshine personality and authentic country charm have captivated diverse audiences for years. With her deep, rustic vocals, she’s destined to carry on country traditions with her music and metalwork. Siena relies heavily upon traditional country storytelling to express herself as she looks to paint stories through personal experiences.
Thank you so much for joining us in this series! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us a bit of the ‘backstory’ of how you grew up? Iwas born and raised in Las Vegas, grew up riding horses, and of course, singing! I come from a family of entertainers which is where my creativity comes from.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path? It’s funny actually, I specifically remember one day in the truck w/ my mom, we were listening to country radio and Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue by Toby Keith came on. Side note, I did not know what cuss words were at that age. Anyways, I’m singing along w/ the part that says “We’ll put a boot in your a$$, it’s the American way” and my mother looked over at me, her face shocked as ever and told me “Siena don’t say that!”. From there on, country music caught my attention, and as I got older, I fell in love with the storytelling of country music.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career? After Route 91, the Las Vegas shooting which I was at, I got the chance to sing the anthem for the opening of a benefit concert in front of about 10k people, which was also broadcasted nationally. Cam, Rascal Flatts, and even Garth Brooks. I was told I showed a lot of courage doing that.
Can you share with us an interesting story about living in Nashville? There’s a lot of great things about Nashville, great music history, and music icons, but the best thing that I’ve experienced is making music that I love with great, talented people.
Can you share with us a few of the best parts of living in Nashville? We’d love to hear some specific examples or stories about that. I love living in Nashville because I can get prettied up, go out on the town for a nice dinner or drive a couple miles out of town to go fishing, hunting, or ride my horse! Nashville can be diverse but there’s just something about the town to where it has its own identity. People are nice, food is great, and I love that there are so many surrounding towns. I was working for a horse trainer in Murfreesboro and I kept asking him to take the other workers and myself bowfishing! I just really like being outdoors. You can always find something to do around here.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that? There are two things I learned early on. Never undervalue myself. I think it’s important to know your worth! And the second, don’t forget lyrics or guitar chords, even though that’s happened to everyone!
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that? Definitely my parents. They’ve helped me a lot. From taking me to guitar, piano, and voice lessons, and watching my performances. I wouldn’t be where I’d be without them.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? I am in the process of planning to film a music video, working on a small tour list, and of course always creating and writing new country music!
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why? Please share a story or example for each.
Don’t scream a lot during a ballgame especially if you have to sing the day after. Lesson learned on that one!
If you feel worn down, it’s really important to take time to rest so you can be the best version of yourself! I was hired to play a show, had laryngitis but still did it. My vocal chords were not feeling very well the next day, so self care is crucial to being an artist!
A few months after I moved to Nashville, I asked my manager if she could help me find a vocal coach. Tony Brown gave us a recommendation to the amazing Ron Browning. If I would’ve known about Ron when I first moved to Nashville, I just think how much further along my talents would be.
I wish I would’ve known how much intricate detail goes into building yourself as a country music artist. Outsiders can say it looks super easy but it’s just like building a business, a lot of hard work, long days, and heart. But it’s all worth it.
I wish I would’ve networked more. Wherever I might have been. Good connections in the business or anywhere are always good to have.
Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”? To keep a balance of staying true to yourself while keeping up with trends of social media and the country music industry. It’s so hard to stay relevant but you have to find your niche.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-) Most definitely live by the golden rule, treat people the way you want to be treated.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life? ”The World Is Yours”. I love this quote because it’s true to everyone’s life! The sky’s the limit when you’re willing to put the work and effort into your dreams to make them reality. There’s no telling where you might go or what you’ll achieve! This was very relevant to me when I decided to take a risk and fully follow my country music dreams 12 years ago.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-) Gosh there are a lot of people I’d like to meet but I would have to say either Stevie Nicks or Miranda Lambert. They have both been very influential to me and my music. They’re both very open and raw in their storytelling, the way they write is so clever. I definitely listen to them most for inspiration.
How can our readers follow you online? My Instagram and Twitter handle is @SienaMusic. My TikTok is @SienaPaglia
This was very meaningful, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
