Florence Rawlings is a British pop soul singer from the United Kingdom who signs to Dramatico Records. She comes to attention at a young age after performing for Mike Batt, chairman of Dramatico, at his house, following his search for female singers for the label. Batt notices her alongside Katie Melua, and Rawlings later signs to Dramatico after finishing her A-level exams.

Early development

Rawlings studies singing from childhood and attends music camps, while also performing wherever she can, including at school and in clubs and bars. She grows up listening to old soul records, and her style develops around soul, blues, rhythm and blues, and pop-rock influences.

Her singing draws on classic vocalists such as Aretha Franklin, Eva Cassidy and Martha Reeves. She develops a reputation for a voice that combines freshness with a mature delivery, with a wide vocal range and a strong soul emphasis.

Recording career

After signing to Dramatico, Rawlings records her debut album, A Fool In Love, with Mike Batt. The album includes original songs written by Batt, among them Love Can Be A Battlefield and Hard To Get, as well as interpretations of older songs.

Among the album’s cover versions are Gladys Knight’s Take Me In Your Arms And Love Me, Allen Toussaint’s Riverboat, and Chuck Berry’s You Can’t Catch Me. These versions are presented in her own soul style, with arrangements that include horns, gospel vocals, dark tonalities and rhythm-driven production.

Live performances

Rawlings performs live as well as recording in the studio. She appears at the Isle of Wight Festival, where she performs her songs for the first time. She also secures festival bookings including the main stage at Guilfest and the Tuborg Stage at O2 Wireless in Hyde Park before her music is widely released.

Reception and style

Her debut is described as an authentic soul record with raw grooves and rhythm and blues elements. Her first single, Hard To Get, has a Motown-influenced feel, and her overall sound is described as combining rock and roll, rhythm and blues, and soul.