Coke Studio and GAY TIMES are collaborating for the second year running to celebrate upcoming queer talent as part of our new music Breakthrough campaign; an ongoing campaign that gives unsigned LGBTQIA+ musicians and allies, within the UK and Ireland, the opportunity to break into the industry. We all know it’s not easy to get into a new career without some help. So, we’ve teamed up with Coke Studio to connect hand-selected talented queer acts and allies as part of our Breakthrough series, bringing must-needed new unsigned artists to wider audiences.
Last year, we documented the musical journey of Celaviedmai, Callum Crighton, Lleo, and Keanan as our first-time Breakthough acts. Now, we’re ready to introduce you to our class of 2024. So, let us tell you about queer Irish singer-songwriter Bobbi Arlo (she/her). Taking influences from Shygirl to her very own rock n roll musician cousin, the Glasgow-based hyper-pop act has broken into the top 30 of Ireland’s official radio airplay chart and is ready for more.
We chatted with Bobbi to hear more about her incredible breakthrough into the mainstream charts as an indie musician and what Coke Studio and GT’s Breakthrough campaign means to LGBTQIA+ rising stars. You can catch Bobbie performing live this year at a handful of Coke Studio events this summer including Brighton & Hove Pride, Boardmasters and Electric Picnic.
Who inspired you to become an artist?
The interesting thing is my big cousin actually inspired me to become a musician – he was in a really successful rock’n roll band when I was growing up and he exposed me to the life of an artist so I owe a lot to him. Apart from that, my team who taught me how to be an artist [inspired me]. My producer and big brother Adam was the one who discovered me and took me under his wing. My momma has to take credit. I swear she knew deep down I was made to be in music cause boy did that woman nurture my so-called “talents”. She would sit and write songs with me for hours and consume every bit of demo she could take. She bought me albums upon albums and exposed me to all kinds of music. She encouraged me to go to every concert I could possibly attend and she pushed me into every singing lesson drama school and dance class I could be in. She’s been a true teacher and inspiration.
Why do you want to be a musician?
I’ve never had a backup plan or alternative option. Music was installed in me and I’ve never questioned it, no one else did either. It’s my pride and joy and most of all my purpose. I couldn’t imagine a day I’m not creating music and putting it in the world. I want to sing and write my little songs and, hopefully, they find the people who will appreciate them.
What’s your favourite music-related memory?
My song ‘Feel It’ was nominated for Song Of The Year in Ireland. It also charted top 20 on the UK and Irish charts that day. I remember getting a call and being so shell-shocked that little me, an absolute no-one with no label or big team behind me, was all of a sudden seen and appreciated. Seeing my name up against the biggest acts of the year was feral. I still haven’t recovered. I had a small team and we worked so hard to get our foot in the door of anywhere really, and to be recognised on that scale out of nowhere was the most unbelievable feeling there was a lot of ugly crying and hugs and I think I called everyone in my phone to tell them the news even when they didn’t care or want to hear it. I’ll never forget that day. It was very, dare I say, slay.
Music was installed in me and I’ve never questioned it, no one else did either. It’s my pride and joy and most of all my purpose.
How has your city shaped you as a musician?
I was born and raised in Dublin and the Irish music scene pretty much raised me, the proud culture of my city shaped the authenticity of my artistry. I was always taught to be original and loud about it no matter how it’s received, no matter how unwanted or wanted it was back your own art, and hard! And, most importantly. do it with a smile and good intentions. It’s not about making music that sounds good in Dublin, which I appreciate so much. Anyone who writes and loves to write can give you a lovely song, it’s about what you can bring that’s unique to your own person because authenticity cannot be copied it can only be trademarked.
Dublin encourages difference and artistic expression. So, we have a lot of individual creatives who all encourage each other no matter was sector of the creative scene you are in to be fearless, loud and proud, which in itself shapes the culture of Ireland. I live in Glasgow right now and I’m constantly trying to keep up and adapt to the effortlessly cool vibe of the music scene here. Between the two cities, my weird expression side is being nurtured.
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What excites you most about the Coke Studio and GAY TIMES Breakthrough campaign?
I still can’t believe I get to be a part of this incredible opportunity. This could potentially change the trajectory of our careers. It’s giving us a voice and a space to exist to nurture our talents. And that alone excites me beyond belief. Also, high-key little gay Bobz would be choking that she’s working with her fave beveragino and the most publicly praised gay platform – it’s giving iconica 2.0!
