We’re looking forward to introducing you to Niki Joans. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Niki, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Absolutely — my band’s debut show on 8/8 at Southside Music Hall for Emo Nite was one of those unforgettable moments. It felt like the perfect chance to reintroduce myself to the world — not just as a performer, but as someone who can’t be anything other than unapologetically myself. Seeing the crowd completely locked in, feeding off our energy, filled me with a pride that’s hard to put into words.
My guitarist/producer/sound engineer, Rio Eastman, and I have been working together for nearly seven years. Every time we step on stage together, I’m in awe of how far we’ve come and even more excited about how far we’ll go. Niki Joans and The Sirens wouldn’t be what it is without our dynamic duo — comparable in spirit to Joan Jett and Kenny Laguna. Rio is my partner in crime, and I couldn’t be more proud to share this journey with him.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Niki Joans, the vocalist and creative force behind Niki Joans and The Sirens — a band that fuses dark, cinematic alt-rock with the raw intensity of punk and a stage presence designed to captivate. Our music isn’t just heard, it’s felt — a sound that wraps around you and refuses to let go.
The Sirens were born from a desire to create more than just songs; we craft worlds, stories, and experiences that pull listeners into a current they can’t resist. Right now, we’re building on the momentum of our debut show at Emo Nite in Dallas and channeling that energy into new music and unforgettable live moments that will keep audiences hooked.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that has shaped me most is with my wife. She’s helped me discover not only who I am, but also who I’m capable of becoming. On the days my mind turns against me, she reminds me to offer myself the same kindness and patience I give to others. She’s the constant voice of encouragement in the dark, my light when I feel myself slipping into the void of self-doubt.
No matter where life takes me or how loud the noise gets, I know that if I have no one else, I have her — my soulmate, best friend, lover, the Bonnie to my Clyde, and my anchor.
When you were sad or scared as a child, what helped?
Growing up, I faced a lot of bullying and had parents who never really understood me, so I turned to poetry and music. When the world felt cold, I’d pour everything into my writing — lyrics, stories, art — just trying to make sense of it all. At such a young age, I carried the weight of that torment, like so many great artists do, and it became the foundation of my voice.
That’s what fuels my music today. Take my song “Holy Water” — it explores religious trauma and the deep isolation queer people often face in small towns. Writing and performing it allows me to turn those experiences of isolation into moments of connection, giving the pain a purpose.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Almost — the public version of me is a mix of my stage persona and the pieces of who I am when no one’s watching. Offstage, I’m reserved. But under the lights, I’m unapologetically wild, unpredictable, and larger than life. I’m kind, yet firm with my boundaries. I’m loud, eccentric, and unafraid to take up space — but when the curtains close and the noise fades, I return to solitude, sitting in humble silence, reflecting on how lucky I am to live this life and to feel everything, and everyone, as deeply as I do.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Once upon a time, I worked as a therapist/case manager. Something I would always tell all my clients that will forever resonate with me is this; If I have an estimated 60 years left to live, why the hell would I spend that time allowing other people to dictate how I think, feel, and the choices I make.
At the end of the day, you have to live for you and stop worrying about what everyone else thinks. I know that is easier said than done, but once this concept clicks and you break free from the shackles of forcing yourself to fit into societal norms and expectations, you realize the world is a lot bigger than you ever imagined. NEVER STOP BEING YOU!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/Niki.Joansmusic
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikiandthesirens/
- Other: https://linktr.ee/Niki.Joansmusic
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0TgqwaCJdhDsitRFfjXabj?si=x4lKoXATRZGF7QQEZIjUIg
Image Credits
Zach Burns (Photographer) : @Zachxburns
Crystal Kirby (Photographer): @Crystalkirbz
Third String Entertainment (Promoter): @thirdstringproductions
