Grammy winner Cian Ducrot still on dishwasher duty at home in Cork

Cork’s Cian Ducrot wins a Grammy but his proud mum jokes he’ll still have to empty the dishwasher at home

Cian Ducrot and his mother, Sabine. She said she was immensely proud of his win, but always expected him to do something extraordinary. File picture
 

He might be a Grammy winner and rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest stars in world music, but Cian Ducrot will still have to empty the dishwasher when he gets home to Cork, his proud mum joked last night.

Sabine Ducrot said her 27-year-old singer-songwriter son, who won his first Grammy for co-writing SZA’s massive hit track, 'Saturn', has remained grounded, has a good head on his shoulders, and won’t forget his roots.

“When we speak, Cian is Cian, he’s the same person he always was, my youngest son. We don’t actually talk that much about the people he rubs shoulders with," she said.

“And I’ll certainly be ensuring he keeps his feet on the ground, reminding him he’s from Passage West, and when he’s back home, he’ll still be told to empty the dishwasher!” 

She also revealed that he almost missed out on the opportunity to work with SZA, which ultimately led to the Grammy.

Sabine, a respected musician who teaches piano and flute at the Cork School of Music, told the Irish Examiner that the invitation from SZA came around the same time that her other son, Eoin, and his partner, were expecting their first baby boy. 

Cian was torn between going to LA to work or going to London to meet his newborn nephew, she said.

“He eventually chose to go to LA and work, and he visited his nephew, Phillippe, about three or four weeks later. We think it’s worked out okay for everyone,” she said.

Cian said his win is proof that anything is possible. “Having the nomination was already enough for me. So to have actually won a Grammy is mind-blowing,” he said.

Never stop dreaming. It's what every songwriter strives for and works for. I just can't believe it to be honest. It's absolutely insane.

He told The Opinion Line on Cork’s 96FM that it's incredible to be recognised for songwriting.

“It's a big win for Ireland, it's a big win for Irish songwriting and the Irish songwriting community. I'm honoured, to be honest, to fly the flag."

Sabine raised her two sons, Cian and Eoin, in Passage West after separating from their father.

Cian has spoken previously about that difficult time in their lives, describing the three of them as team, with music their saviour.

Cian Ducrot with his best R&B Song award for 'Saturn' at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards in LA. Picture: Randy Shropshire/Getty

Sabine, who was one of the first people Cian phoned after collecting the Grammy, said she was immensely proud but always expected him to do something extraordinary, given his love of music, his focus and his determination to make it happen.

He began singing as a baby and was immersed in music at home, turning the pages of sheet music for his mother while she taught music students at home, before he himself went on to become an accomplished flautist.

He wrote songs from a young age too. Sabine said: “I actually found little books at home a few years ago full of songs he wrote when he was very young, even before he wasn’t able to spell properly.

Music was always in him. He loved trying loads of instruments, and experimenting with them. The flute is the closest instrument to the voice, and he played the flute like a singer, with great expression and lyricism.

“But he never followed the sheet music. He did his own thing, and was super enthusiastic, devouring music, he always wanted to learn something new, and that was a challenge.

“I remember telling him ‘your version might be a nicer version, but it’s Mozart, love, and you can’t rewrite Mozart’.” 

Catherine Mahon Buckley, of CADA Performing Arts in Cork, remembers Cian and Eoin attending classes with them from a very young age, and paid tribute to Sabine, who she described as an amazing woman.

“We knew Cian had musical talent, given his family background, and he would come alive when we would mention music, and I remember him sitting on a couch and being mad into writing," she said.

“He was very involved in our dramas and dance shows, but we knew that music was the area he would go do. He just loved music and was so talented.

Cian Ducrot performign at Electric Picnic in Stradbally, in 2023. Picture: Debbie Hickey/Getty

"98% of the people who come to us have talent but only about 2% have the hunger you need to then go for it.

“And Cian had that hunger. We are so proud of Cian and proud to have played a small part in his journey.” 

Sabine said she is confident he will be able to manage the success and demands a Grammy win will bring.

“He’s does confide in me, and asks for advice, and we’ll discuss things but he knows what he wants. He is sensible,” she said.

But my advice to him now would be to continue to work hard. You can’t wait for things to come your way. You have to make it happen.

“I do worry about him working non-stop though. The music business at his level now is so demanding. It’s not just the song-writing, it’s the media, the social media, the videos, the promotion, and all that other stuff. He's often at the mercy of the business.

“But I think he has his head screwed on well.” 

Ducrot returns to Cork this summer to play Live at the Marquee on July 19.