Loser in Love: Country music singer Ciara releasing her debut single

Taking part in the Tallaght-based youth music programme SubSounds as a teenager was instrumental in developing Ciara Dalton’s skills as a country music singer-songwriter.

The 22-year-old is still involved with the programme as a mentor, but has recently turned her attention to releasing her own original material, which is influenced by country music luminaries like Emmylou Harris and Patsy Cline.

Ciara, from Old Court in Dublin 24, is releasing her debut single ‘Loser in Love’ tomorrow, Friday, August 20.

The ethereal track delves into themes of heartbreak and guilt following the dissolution of a relationship, delivered by Ciara’s commanding vocals with a gentle backing of acoustic guitar and violin.

Ciara, a past pupil of Sancta Maria College in Ballyroan, told The Echo about how SubSounds set in motion her desire to be a musician, why country music holds such allure for her, and her future plans following the release of ‘Loser in Love’.

You were involved in the youth music programme SubSounds when you were a teenager, what was that experience like for you?

I started in SubSounds when I was 13 and was a participant up until the age of 17.

I absolutely loved it. Up until then I had just been playing music by myself in my room with the four chords I knew, but SubSounds allowed me to meet other young people who were as passionate about music as I was.

It exposed me to so many new genres of music that I had never listened to before, and more importantly taught me how to work with other musicians.

Just being around music in that way really inspired and motivated me to start songwriting seriously, and it did absolute wonders for my confidence.

Did being a part of SubSounds cement your decision to write and record your own original music?

SubSounds definitely did have a huge impact on me deciding to continue writing and recording my own music.

I definitely think I would’ve always had music in my life in some way, maybe as a hobby, but the experience I had with SubSounds definitely turned music from a hobby to more of a calling.

Martin Moran, who is programme co-ordinator on SubSounds, co-wrote and is the guitar player on ‘Loser in Love’, and almost all of the songs I’ll be releasing in the future, so if it wasn’t for the programme I definitely wouldn’t be releasing the music I am now.

Has country music always been your preferred genre for writing music?

I have always listened to quite a mixture of genres of music. I grew up with my dad listening to a lot of traditional Irish music, like The Dubliners, Christy Moore, The Wolfe Tones etc. and my mam loves Elvis and Mariah Carey, so there was a lot going on there.

When I was a teenager, I loved Taylor Swift, but it was only in my later teens when I started listening to classic country artists like Gram Parsons, Emmylou Harris, John Prine, Dolly Parton, and particularly Patsy Cline that I fell completely in love with country music.

I’ve always loved writing lyrics, and finding clever ways of saying things that have been said a million times before, and I think that’s the essence of country music. So, since my late teens I’ve been writing country music, and I will be for a long time to come.

Ciara’s debut single which is out Friday August 20

How do you feel about releasing your debut single?

I’m so excited to release my debut single. It feels a bit scary to put yourself and your music out for everyone to hear, because, for me, songwriting is so personal.

I put so much of myself into my lyrics, that in a way it’s like exposing yourself emotionally to the world. But as the great Dolly Parton once said, ‘You’ll never do a whole lot unless you’re brave enough to try’, so here I am.

I’m really excited for everyone to hear it, and my other songs that I’ll be releasing!

What inspired you to write ‘Loser in Love’?

‘Loser in Love’ was inspired by the feelings of heartbreak and guilt that one might feel after a relationship ends – whether that’s a romantic relationship or a friendship – and forgiving yourself for it, and finally allowing yourself to let go of those feelings.

I think it’s a topic that a lot of people will be able to relate to.

What future plans do you have in the pipeline?

Future plans are to release lots more music! I have another single coming out late September, and myself and Martin Moran have been working on a country album together for almost a year now that we’re hoping to release in October, by which stage I really hope we’ll be allowed to have a launch gig. So, if you like ‘Loser in Love’, you’re in for a real treat with future releases!

‘Loser in Love’ is out on all streaming platforms tomorrow, Friday, August 20, and the song’s music video will be released on the same day on Ciara’s YouTube channel. For more information follow @ciaradaltonmusic on Instagram.