Her guitar maybe her comfort, but Ciera Flory is fearless on the big stage. Since she was a young girl, Ciera told her mom she wanted to be a singer. Ciera is proof if you give a girl the right guitar and a love story to sing about, she can conquer the music world with her confidence to touch the lives of girls everywhere. I sat down with Ciera and her mom before the show to learn of her start in music, influences and big dreams ahead.
Q. Take me back to the beginning of your career, tell me how you found your love and talent for music and decided to make it a career aspiration?
A. “It’s been the one thing I’ve wanted to do. I always said I wanted to be a singer. I learned guitar when I was 13 and started writing when I was 15. I really started pushing (to make it a career) when I turned 18 and graduated from high school.”
“My mom always supported me. As a kid I looked up auditions and she would take me,” said Ciera.
Now by her side on stage, is Ciera’s biggest fan. “She played by herself, I didn’t have any musical background. Then I thought maybe I can learn the bass and help her,” said Josephine, Ciera’s mom.
Q. Who’s your biggest musical influence? (past & present)
A. “Taylor Swift made me really break out (into music) and start writing. I also listened to Miley Cyrus, Hannah Montana and Disney music.”
Q. How did you begin your music career?
A. “I wrote songs for a few years then got a deal with Tate Music Group who produced my album. I started playing out a bunch; anywhere I could get a gig. I started putting music on ReverbNation and created my Facebook page. Social media is really important (to connect with fans).”
Q. What was the inspiration for your latest project? What does it mean to you?
A. “I’ve always been pop (music), but I liked veering into the country side because Taylor Swift was country. I really love new country; it’s my favorite kind of music. Mainstream pop is really good too and I think pushing myself into mainstream pop would be easy to do.”
Now a new signing with Ophir Entertainment, she is creating pop music. “I’m getting into mainstream pop to see what’s being done to help with my writing and what to come up with next.”
Q. What do you enjoy or look forward to most about writing, recording or performing music? Tell me more about the process.
A. “It varies from each song I write. Sometimes I think of a line in my head then grab my guitar and build a song story around that line. Like in my song Without You, I started with the first lyric, ‘I can’t believe the songs we used to sing never meant anything’ and went from there. This is going to be a better off without you type of song.”
Q. What is a memorable experience for you in your music career and how has it impacted you?
A. “I auditioned for American Idol and waited in line for 12 hours in the rain. They give you ten seconds to sing a song with five other people in the room. I sang Bartender by Lady Antebellum with my guitar. I was told to stay back then she said for me to audition online, that I was good but they couldn’t take me at that point. However, I had auditioned a couple years before that and got nowhere. So I had been working on myself and people noticed.”
Q. What advice would you give to someone who may have a dream in music, but is struggling with having confidence?
A. “The best thing with confidence is just playing as much as you can in front of people. When I first started, I would get up on stage and was shaking like crazy. My voice would shake and cut out. You just have to get through those moments and get stronger.”
Q. How do you develop your set list between playing your originals and cover songs people want to hear?
A. “If I like a song, I’m going to play it. I get requests sometimes and my mom says we should do some songs. My mom and I have fun all the time. I love being able to play with my mom.”
Q. Can you tell me some of your exciting plans for 2018? What long-term goals do you have for your career?
A. “Since I got signed with Ophir Entertainment, I’m going to see how they want my career and to help me with the business side.”
On building her own brand, “I try to stay as true to myself as I can and I want to be seen as a nice girl,” says Ciera.
Listen to the sneak peek of her debut album, The Best Thing:
Follow Ciera Flory on Social Media and get the latest on her music:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CieraNicoleFlory/
YouTube: Ciera Flory YouTube
Twitter: @CieraFlory
ReverbNation: https://www.reverbnation.com/cieraflory
Photo Credit to: https://www.facebook.com/CieraNicoleFlory
I am sure Ciera will appreciate this throwback to her inspiration, now Ciera is Fearless on the big stage inspiring girls everywhere!
Farm Girl With Curls 