Rachel Sermanni
At just twenty years old, singer-songwriter Rachel Sermanni has already notched up over 400 shows, both as a headline act and through touring with and supporting the likes of Mumford and Sons, Michael Kiwanuka, Elvis Costello, KT Tunstall and Ron Sexmith. Little wonder, then, that she has a rapidly growing reputation as one of folk’s brightest new stars.
Like a carpenter whittles away at his craft, Rachel gives herself up to her music, sculpting bare lyric bones from nature and a profound understanding of the world, and adding multi-instrumentalist flesh to each song little by little. Harking back to the troubadour tradition – despite her tender years, Carrbridge-born Rachel has already toured extensively throughout Europe and Asia – she is already carving her own niche through her innately tough, witty and observational outpourings.
Rachel released her debut album, Under Mountains, to widespread acclaim in September 2012, following three sold-out EP releases. She will perform at the festival with a four-piece band, featuring Orcadians Louise Bichan and Jennifer Austin (winners of the Orkney Folk Festival Open Stage in 2008!) alongside Siobhan Anderson and Laura Wilkie.
“Really, really something special. She’s amazing. Listen to her voice. Quite astonishing” - Guy Garvey, Elbow frontman and BBC 6Music presenter
“her voice is an instrument of incredible purity…folk noir gem…a voice and songs to go stellar” - The Sunday Times
“powerful and graceful” - The Independent
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