By Rebecca Clark

Blazing your own trail in life and going against the norm requires immense strength and courage. It’s not an easy path, and sometimes, the journey can feel overwhelming. Claudia Hoyser has long embodied this spirit of carving her own way, embracing both the highs and lows of chasing a dream. Her new song, “Breathing Smoke,” delves deep into the emotional turmoil of this journey, capturing the raw vulnerability that often accompanies the fight to keep that internal spark alive, even when the world around you feels like it’s burning out.

In “Breathing Smoke,” Hoyser exposes the difficult realities of staying motivated and passionate despite facing constant obstacles. “It’s about finding that spark within yourself and reigniting it, no matter how many times you feel it going out,” Hoyser shares. “No matter what, that little spark seems to find its way back, and no matter how hard or dark it gets, it just keeps you going. Just when I think I won’t feel determined or motivated or excited again, I do.”

For Hoyser, the song is more than just a reflection on her career, it’s a personal exploration of the emotional and physical toll it takes to keep moving forward in a world that constantly tests your perseverance. The line “getting tired of setting fires and breathing smoke” came to her after a long stretch of shows and travel, capturing a sense of burnout and frustration. “I was feeling completely burnt out, frustrated, and wondering if I was ever going to be able to push through this huge wave of feeling exhausted and out of luck,” she explains.

Yet, even in the face of burnout, Hoyser refuses to let that spark extinguish. The opening lyric, “another spark in the dark,” serves as a reminder that even when things don’t go as planned, there’s always the potential to reignite that fire within. This duality of struggle and resilience is what makes the song so relatable.

“I am a huge dreamer and a huge lover and I know there must be a lot of people who feel like sometimes, even when you give it every last drop, you’re still staring at a pile of smokey ashes,” Hoyser explains. “But then somehow, someway, you find the strength to keep pushing.”

Co-writing “Breathing Smoke” with Jay Knowles, a renowned songwriter known for his work with major artists like Luke Bryan and Lainey Wilson, Hoyser found the perfect collaborator to bring her vision to life. She brought the line for the chorus to their writing session, and from there, the song began to take shape.

“Jay couldn’t have been a more perfect co-writer,” Hoyser said. “We just clicked. He told me it sounded like a love song, and I told him it wasn’t supposed to be.”

“But he said, ‘almost every great song is a love song,’ and as the lyrics came together, in a way, it’s about my sometimes very difficult love for music and the passion it takes to keep fighting for it,” Hoyser said.

Ryan Hurley’s guitar work on “Breathing Smoke” also added an undeniable edge to the track. Having performed together for years, Hoyser and Hurley’s chemistry is evident in the studio. “He can ebb and flow with my vocals and switch it up on a whim, which makes things more fun!” Hoyser recalls.

“Zarni Devette, who produced the song, thought it could use a little more edge than we had originally imagined, so Ryan switched up guitars and tried out some darker, edgier parts,” Hoyser explained. “Then, (Ryan) layered in a nylon string guitar, which created the coolest tone and texture.”

The honesty in “Breathing Smoke” sets it apart from many of Hoyser’s other tracks, highlighting the vulnerable side of her talented songwriting skills. “I feel like this might be one of my most vulnerable songs yet,” Hoyser said. “You’ll rarely hear me admit that sometimes this career really takes its toll, but it does, and I’m not afraid to be honest about that anymore.”

“It’s a constant battle between giving it everything you’ve got and then feeling like you don’t have anything to give,” Hoyser expressed. “I’ve been learning to find the balance, and releasing this song with all of its honesty truly helped me find some peace.”

For fans who struggle with chasing their dreams or maintaining positivity during tough times, Hoyser offers a few words of wisdom: “Even after years of following this passion and having more opportunities than I ever dreamed of, I am still learning to find the balance between going all in and burning out,” Hoyser said. “Every time I feel like I’ve gone too deep, I remind myself that there is nothing I would rather be doing, and try to change up my approach. I’ll ask myself things like, ‘How can I do this in a way that feels better?’ or ‘What makes me really happy?’”

“Breathing Smoke” showcases Hoyser’s raw vulnerability, solidifying her as one of the most authentic voices in country music. Her unwavering spark inspires us all to keep pushing forward while believing in ourselves.

Be sure to keep an eye out for tour dates near you on Hoyser’s Website!

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