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One to watch: Rachael Lavelle

The Dubliner, who still works part-time as a funeral singer, has a fine line in slow-burning songs of urban isolation

With dusky vocals gliding over undulating electronics and doleful, ruminative woodwind – the clarinet is particularly striking – it’s perhaps unsurprising to learn that she still works part-time as a funeral singer in her home town of Dublin. Though her grandfather was a musician (he co-wrote Ireland’s 1967 Eurovision entry), Lavelle’s interest in songwriting was piqued after taking part in a musical while at university. Her first full-length record arrives almost a decade later; a period during which she has honed her craft, composing, working odd jobs and supporting fellow Dubliners Lankum on tour.

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