From Berlin’s rich artistic undercurrent emerges a voice that feels both timeless and urgent. Rachel Harlow, the classically trained violinist turned indie alt-pop storyteller, closes out the year with 'Caelina', a spellbinding tribute to grief, memory, and the ghosts that linger in silence.
Known for her emotionally raw and sonically cinematic style, Harlow has steadily carved her own path with singles like 'Pray For Us' and 'Avalon', earning praise across Spotify’s Fresh Finds and EQUAL playlists. But with 'Caelina', she digs deeper than ever before, crafting a haunting piece rooted in personal loss, yet reaching into something greater than herself.
So with the new single out now, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and what has been inspiring her most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Violin. I started playing at seven after instantly falling in love with the sound. There is so much detail in every note, and so many ways to let emotion speak through the instrument. I do not play at the classical level I once did, but I still use the violin as a writing tool, and I can hear my classical background in everything I create. Learning violin was the hardest thing I have ever done, and I am grateful for it every day.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
As a little girl I was obsessed with the Spice Girls, like everyone else. In my early high school years I became a huge No Doubt and Gwen Stefani fan. Around 15 or 16, I got into Goldfrapp, Massive Attack, Portishead and Bowie. I remember wanting to go to a Massive Attack and Goldfrapp double bill concert when I was 15. Sadly I couldn’t afford the ticket, so I sat outside the venue, smoked a joint, and catched whatever sound leaked out. It was beautiful.
What was the first album you remember owning?
Stripped by Christina Aguilera. Technically her self titled album came first to the collection, but Stripped really made an impression on me. Even now, 23 years later, I still listen to it with so much joy.
What is the one song you wish you could have written yourself?
This is such a difficult question, but one of the first songs that really stayed with me is The Dancer by PJ Harvey. She captured such a deep honesty in that song, it is unforgettable. Another one is I Want You by Elvis Costello. I love when artists tear out their whole soul in a song, and you can feel that in both of these.
More recently, I have been deeply inspired by The First Disciple by Tamino. It has the most beautiful natural flow and pulls you through so many chapters. It is incredibly well written.
Do you have any habits or rituals when trying to write new music?
I usually start with an idea that comes to me out of nowhere. I wrote my debut single Pray For Us while doing the dishes. I suddenly thought, wait, this is good, so I recorded it on my phone and worked it out later. Caelina also came to me randomly. I was lying on a friend’s couch and ran straight to the piano to record it.
To give myself the space for ideas like that, the most important thing is feeling sane and rested. A lot of people have this dark romantic image of writing the best while being stuck in dramatic situations and feeling miserable. It is a very poetic and melancholic image, but for me it is the complete opposite.
Who are your favourite artists you have been listening to at the moment?
D’Angelo, rest in peace, is an artist I have listened to consistently for years. I do not think I have ever gone a month without listening to his music. This year I have also found a lot of comfort in Endlessness by Nala Sinephro and Floodland by Sisters of Mercy. This also shows how broad my music taste is in a nutshell haha.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Lana Del Rey. I think she is incredible and I respect how she always stays true to her own sound. Her nostalgic and melancholic world fits perfectly with mine.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
When I write a song I am proud of, something honest and powerful both lyrically and melodically, I feel on top of the world. It feels like magic because it is so intangible. In those moments I can also transform negative experiences into something empowering instead of something that once overpowered me.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Making music is beautiful, but it is only about 50 percent of the game. You are so dependent on others for success, and that can feel very fragile and sometimes powerless. That said, the ability to push things yourself through social media helps. It is a burden, but it also creates opportunities.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Believe in your music and your own musical opinion, no matter your background or experience. As long as what you write feels honest and you stand behind it, that is the foundation you need. The rest will follow.
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Rachel Harlow's new single 'Caelina' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.