Category Music
Published April 2, 2025
Hylas and the Nymphs, by John William Waterhouse Image credit: Manchester Art Gallery
“It took me many years to call myself a singer. I used to say, ‘I do singing’.”
Clara’s melodic voice loops around as she sings passionately to an audience mesmerised as much by her performance as they are by her cheerful and comforting stage presence. For Clara, this is a chance to share her music with the world. At that point, she has no idea that I am standing in the audience. Enamoured with her performance and a little annoyed by the two guys speaking very loudly behind me (like, why even come to a show, then?), I only have one thought in my mind: I need to help amplify her voice.
In Clara’s Indie-Pop performance, her voice serves as a band and background singer. “I usually have pre-recorded choruses, which I always try to keep a secret, but I always end up telling everyone anyway,” she told me, smiling as we sat in a small coffee shop where I asked her question after question about the performance that captivated me so much. “The way it works is I will sing a melody loop, which would be the main melody loop, then I put one above, one below. Then I have a lot of effects on my loop, so I’ll add a bassline, and sometimes I’ll beatbox.”
Clara’s road towards the stage was long and winding. Much like the echo of her voice in her performances, her passion for singing has reverberated in the background of her life for years. “I joined the choir at school, and I had more of a pop-y tone to my voice. I was singing throughout school, but I hadn’t really decided to be a singer because I didn’t really know how to do it,” Clara told me about her early relationship with music.
Clara Pople, photo by Daisy Vivian
Initially choosing a different path, the singer studied Spanish and French at Manchester University. Yet, when she realised how much she missed music in her life, she went to BIMM to study singing. This is when her journey as a performer truly began. “I didn’t realise at BIMM that to sing, you also have to be a songwriter or a producer; you have to have a band and do a thousand other things I couldn’t do. I slowly worked out how to write songs, but it’s not my forte. I am better at melody and anything to do with my ears,” Clara says.
One day, during a class, a teacher brought in a loop pedal, and the pieces of Clara’s nuanced performance came together. “I can use this,” she thought, “this is how I can write songs.”
Although it took Clara years to call herself a singer, singing was always a part of her life. It was in her blood. “My dad is a classical musician. He’s a cellist for the London Festival Orchestra. I’m assuming that’s where my music background comes from.”
When I asked Clara about specific projects she would want me to promote in this story, she immediately and without hesitation told me about the gigs she organises on her boat. “I perform live, and it’s a way to introduce myself as an artist. It’s kind of like: ‘Come into my home.’ It is also a platform for other musicians to perform and not worry about promotion. It’s like going to someone’s house for a dinner party but with music,” she shared with me.
Clara performing at her boat gig, photo by Dascha Nefedov
I arrived at Clara’s boat with a small bottle of gin in my tote bag, ready to be impressed, surprised and overtaken by an avalanche of new voices. The artist happily welcomed me and a crowd of other visitors into her home, pointing out the kitchen with the drinks and snack station all set up, her living room and her bedroom, which doubled as a performance room on the night. After we settled in, Clara invited us to gather for the performances. We sat on the chairs, couches and floor of the room opposite a stage, which, as the host pointed out, is where her bed usually stood.
Each performer brought something magical with them that night, a sound only they could produce. I watched Clara cheer, clap, and be genuinely proud of each person who came on stage. She announced them joyfully, pointing out their talents and promoting their platforms. As great as Clara was at taking the stage, she was equally great at giving it away to let other performers shine. I had a sense of community building up in me, and eventually, I couldn’t help but smile. Every single person came there intending to listen and respectfully consume this new experience (well, new for me).
A brief intermission to get more drinks, and it was Clara’s turn to perform. Her singing was as hypnotic as ever, taking the audience away to a place she creates every time she loops her melodic voice around.
Clara's boat gig, photo by Dascha Nefedov
The singer was performing some of her new songs. On the stage, she commented on the performance, and laughter took over the room for a moment: “It’s like standing here naked but with new boobs.” The audience was immediately at ease.
I have seen Clara perform before, but there, in the comfort of her own home, the experience became truly interactive. We stood up, we danced, we sang along, and at one moment, the singer encouraged us to close our eyes, letting her music take our minds on a journey inwards. I curiously opened my eyes for just a second. It was amazing to see a crowd of people, all in their own worlds, only united by Clara’s music. In its purest, untarnished form, that’s what music is supposed to do.
You can enjoy Clara’s beautiful performance live at:
Colours in Hoxton – headlining on June 19
Boat Gigs – every month (except July/August)
Glastonbury
Kendal Calling
Wibbly Woods
Red Rooster
Clara’s new song releases:
May 1 & June 2
Keep up with Clara’s personal updates via her newsletter: http://eepurl.com/izkUS2
Clara’s instagram: @clarapoplemusic
