Q&A with Kal Lavelle, Ed Sheeran co-writer and star at International Busking Day

Kal Lavelle is an Irish-born singer-songwriter and a talent not to be missed. Having just been signed by Sony on a writing/publishing deal, she is the perfect of example of someone who has got a break after years of hard work.

Kal has a writing credit on Ed Sheeran’s multi-platinum selling single ‘Shivers’ and they subsequently toured the UK and Ireland together.

We chat to Kal ahead of her performance at International Busking Day at Wembley this July, a celebration of over 120 acts to support the hottest home-grown talent.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

My name is Kal Lavelle. I’m an Irish Singer-Songwriter based between Dublin & London. I was recently nominated for an Ivor Novello Award in the UK, and have a writing credit on Ed Sheeran’s Number 1 single ’Shivers’. I write and sing songs about love, loss and the occasional Tequila! I’m like the musical love child of Alanis Morissette and Damien Rice!

Congratulations on just being signed by Sony on a writing/publishing deal! What are your plans following this deal?

Thank you! Yeh, Sony Publishing are great so far!! I’ve been writing with incredibly talented people – RHODES, Naughty Boy, Izzy Bizu, James TW, Harry Stone & more! And I just want to continue writing songs that make people think / move. I’ll also release some new Kal Lavelle music soon!

Andy Warhol says it best – “Don’t think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.”

You have a writing credit on Ed Sheeran’s multi-platinum selling single ‘Shivers’ and have since been on tour with him. How did this come about and what was it like working with him?

I’ve been friends with Ed since he was 16 years old, so quite a long time! I used to give him shows when I ran a Singer-Songwriter night in The Worlds End in Finsbury Park. And then he took me on his first headline tour of the UK & Ireland. He’s an authentic and genuine person. A phenomenally great writer and I’m blessed to call him a friend and share in the success of ‘Shivers’. I saw him perform it in Wembley Stadium recently. It was an extraordinary experience! I’m endlessly proud of his success, he deserves it!

What advice would you give to anyone trying to get into the music industry?

I think you have to be passionate about what you are doing. And talent isn’t enough, you have to work hard and put yourself out there. You have to believe in yourself. And really, if you feel like you have something, and people are telling you you do. Then you have to keep going. Honestly, KEEP GOING and then the universe will do its thing!

How did busking provide the connection for you to build your glittering career?

Busking can be a lifeline when you need extra cash to pay the rent and keep going! And being involved with Busk In London (who curated International Busking Day) really helped me! Busking at various locations throughout the city exposed my music to so many people! I got offered to play weddings, private functions, bigger shows etc just from people who saw me and liked me! It’s a great way to be seen & heard and to create further gigging opportunities to rise up the ladder!

In what way should the public interact with buskers?

Stop & listen. Give them a smile or some money (preferably both lol). If you have a pen, leave a note saying how much you enjoyed it. Just appreciate them in whatever way is best for you.

What can we expect from your set for International Busking Day?

I’m super looking forward to International Busking Day at Wembley Park! I’ll be playing at 3.55pm-4.25pm on the beautiful Sound Shell stage off Olympic Way, with a backdrop of Wembley Stadium!I’ll take people on a journey, from reflective songs to bring up those deep feels, to some sing-a-longs to mend us all again! It’s only 12 mins from central London on the tube and it’s a free day out with lots of music, entertainment, food and drinks! A glorious Saturday in summer! Do pop along!