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Ok, so first off I must iterate the fact that this particular run down is in no particular order, nor is it a definitive list of the best British record labels of all time (as if such a breakdown could ever be truly quantified). It is simply a list of some personal favourites within the British...MORE>>
She knits artworks for her album covers with her mother, she gets covered in melted chocolate as part of a fair trade advertising campaign and uses ancient, haggered folk instruments in her songs….
This is most probably why journalists have named Lisa Hannigan as “truly obscure”.
However, she is in her element now as a solo artist after performing as lead vocalist for many of Damien Rice’s songs, such as ‘9 crimes’. She left University in order to go on a world tour with Rice and his band; this partnership lasted for six years.
She left Rice in order to bring out her debut album in 2008, ‘Sea Sew’, which included
the hit single ‘Lille’. This single occurred a choice music prize nomination, two
meteor award nominations and a Mercury Prize nomination. She has even been interviewed
about the album by the well-
Hannigan’s latest single, ‘I don’t know’, is folkie with its use of both brass and strings – the double bass as well as brushes for a soft drum sound – and not to mention the tenor harmonies which are reminiscent of a monk’s choral chant.
Hannigan is at the opposite end of the scale to generic girl bands who are better known for their news in the gossip columns. Instead, both Lisa and her music are known for their warmth and humanity.
She takes her ideas for songs from real moments: tableaux of life – making the overall song true to life and relatable. Each listener can find their own meaning or individual interpretation from it.
Hannigan says: “It’s that moment when you see the turn of somebody’s elbow or a book peeking out of somebody’s bag on the train. And, I do this anyway, I sort of construct a person behind it, invariably positive. And I think that song is about that moment, where you’re sort of full of hope about someone you really have no idea about.”
Lisa is set to perform at Le Chiele and Electric Picnik this summer.
