Co-produced alongside Juno-nominated producers Chris Rouse and Thomas McKay, Love Money is a declaration of faith, a celebration of love, and a social critique, all at once. A fun, smooth R&B soundscape, the album features emotional yet consummate soul vocals and harmonies from Ciara Leah, as well as many jazz solos on keys

In this interview spotlight, I chat with Ciara about the music, favorite songs, dream collabs and more.

Full Q&A along with links and music below.

What is your favorite song of all time?

“Someday We’ll All Be Free” by Donny Hathaway.

What about “Love Money” makes you most proud? Was there a specific goal you were trying to accomplish with this release?

I’ve been waiting my whole life to release an album. What I have discovered is that life will keep getting in the way – if you let it. You have to make room for your dreams. I was pregnant and then with my new baby while I was producing, recording, editing, and performing on this project and it was easily the most challenging thing I have accomplished. The fact that I wore so many hats, pushed through so many challenges, and came out with some amazing music is what makes me most proud.

What inspires you to create music? What motivates you to keep going?

My children inspire me to create. I believe that music has the power to heal the world and, knowing this, I become the best version of myself when I am creating music. I ask myself what message I want to get across to the next generation and what type of energy I want to put out; it always comes back to my children because they are the future.

If you could collaborate with anyone – dead or alive, famous or unknown – who would it be and why?

I would have loved to collaborate with Miles Davis because of his imagination and willingness to explore. I think Brandon Coleman would be a lot of fun to work with and I’d love to see what we could come up with together. And Stevie Wonder and I would definitely come out with some bumping tracks – with a conscious message!

What was the last song you listened to? Favorite all-time bands/artists?

The last song I listened to was by a young Canadian artist my co-producer Chris Rouse put me onto by the name of Stacey Ryan and the name of the song is “Fall In Love Alone”.

I have a long list of favorite all-time artists but I’ll try to narrow it down to a ‘top ten’: Donny Hathaway, Robert Glasper, Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, James Brown, Brandon Coleman, Chaka Khan, Billie Holiday, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and Frederic Chopin. (Earth, Wind and Fire, Radiohead, Nirvana, and Hiatus Kaiyote as a bonus since I didn’t include any bands!)

Where is the best place to find you and stay connected?

I’m most active on Instagram but you can also find me on Facebook and YouTube @ciaraleahmusic and on Twitter @keeyarahmusiq. My music is available on all streaming platforms (Ciara Leah). The album has also been listed as “the Best Soul on Bandcamp: January 2023”.

I appreciate Your time. Want to say or plug any other projects before we part ways?

I have a lot of surprises coming up this year! There will be some collabs and also some solo stuff so make sure to follow me on all platforms to be the first “in the know”.