Grantham singer discusses influences and how she got into music after her song was picked up by BBC Introducing

Before attending Grantham College, Boo was home-schooled along with her four sisters.

As well as being a singer/songwriter, she can play the Celtic harp, the piano by ear and is currently learning the guitarlele with the help of her dad who she says “has inspired my love of music”.

Emmanuelle Kopliku, one of Boo’s sisters, said: “Music is a big part of family life in Boo’s home and that’s what inspired her to pursue her dreams of becoming a music artist.

“Her dream is to one day perform her own original music on big stages around the world.”

Boo elaborated on her musical journey so far and the role that her family has played.

Who are your musical influences?

I have always loved music from lots of different genres. At the moment I’m really inspired by Harry Styles, Michael Jackson, Kate Bush, Belinda Carlisle, Lewis Capaldi, Fleetwood Mac and Ariana Grande.

Where does your passion and skill for music come from?

I was home-schooled pretty much since I was six years old so I was able to spend a lot of time songwriting, which I always loved to do. I started off with a little Celtic lap harp, learning traditional Irish songs, and then I’d just start coming up with my own little melodies.

I tried to learn the piano by grades but I found it really difficult. I really wanted to be able to play my favourite songs so I’d end up just figuring them out by ear. I wrote and recorded my first song ‘Somewhere a Melody’ at 13 years old. Last year I got some equipment and was able to start producing my own music at home. I would spend all my time making music if I could!

You wrote and released your own song at age just 13, how did that come about?

I was doing an Arts Award and my focus was music. My main project was to write and record a song and make a music video to go with it which I put up on YouTube. I really enjoyed coming up with ideas for the video.

My friend’s dad offered to record it in his studio with me and my dad, who plays guitar on the track. Shout out to Kev!

Since then, I’ve roped my sister into featuring in another music video to my song ‘Tears’, which I’m planning to remaster and upload to Spotify and other music platforms soon.

What role has your family played in your music career?

My dad used to be a guitarist in a band back in Albania and he has always inspired me to do my music. My older sister is an amazing pianist. I’ve always been really inspired by her. She would sit down and play something at the piano and me and my little sisters would all grab an instrument and try to play along.

Where do you find inspiration for songs or music from?

I’m always listening to music every day as I walk from the bus to my granny’s house and then to college, including the journey back again. I get most of my music inspiration from other artists who I look up to.

Since I started recording and producing my own songs using more complex software, I learned to hear music in a new way. Instead of just focusing on the song as a whole, I love to go in deeper and figure out all of the smaller details which were built up to create the full track. Such as the different sounds and number of harmonies used in a particular part of the song, or the specific effects that have been put on the instruments to make them sound the way they do. This is what really inspires me when it comes to listening to other people’s music. I also enjoy hearing upcoming artists and listening to diverse styles of music.

How did it feel to have your song picked up by the BBC and played live on the radio?

I’m just so grateful to be honest.

I thought it would be worth taking a chance and sending in my track, but to know the BBC heard my music and say they have picked it to play live the next day in three radio stations was unbelievably exciting! I was messaging all my friends because I was so happy.

It meant so much, especially as ‘Good as Love’ is a track dedicated to my grandad John, who passed away this September. He had always loved music. Whenever he came over he would put on his favourite old musical theatre songs and we’d sing them at the top of our voices. I’m really grateful to BBC Introducing for picking my song. Thanks so much for the opportunity.

What are your ambitions in music? What are your future plans?

I really want to keep writing, producing and improving my songwriting skills. Once venues are open again, I would love to be able to perform my own music. I would just love to keep growing, developing as an artist and sharing my music.

Boo’s single ‘Good as Love’ is now available on Spotify, iTunes and all major platforms.