No Comments

“Hello, I am a singer. I often hum away without realising it until I get funny looks on camden street.”

It’s that simple sometimes. No one expected Lisa Hannigan would make the impression she has – probably least of all herself – where’s the floppy hat? The blue-rimmed sunglasses? The post-rock? The new wave? The gimmick? It is still (sometimes) just about humming a catchy tune and that’s all.

The fact that she used to sing with Damien Rice and all that stuff has been well documented. All you need to worry about is that Lisa’s first solo album is nominated for the ever so prestigious mercury-prize – and its an absolute gem.

Lisa was playing with The Swell Season for their Ireland warm-up dates – and we caught up with her in Derry – in a weird pixie world that we later found out is actually called “Derry Craft Village”.

Lisa Hannigan – Lille

Download for iPod (71.3MB)

And so on a slightly damp Derry afternoon, a handful of German and Canadian tourists were privy to smallest Lisa Hannigan gig on the current tour – with a “Thank you Derry!” on cue.

Electric Picnic is on this weekend, and Lady Hannigan is playing on the Friday. Then there is a USA tour, so if you’re lucky enough to live there watch out for her humming in the main street of a city near you.

Lisa Hannigan – Ocean & A Rock

Download for iPod (67.5MB)

Filmed by Will McConnell in Derry, August 2009
Sound recorded by Matt Bohill

No Comments

As I type, Sligo-Tyrone lot and Bandwidth Bosom Buddies A Plastic Rose are gracing the stage at the legendary Reading Festival. After (from all reports) a storming set in Leeds last night, this looks like the beginning of something..

Seems like yesterday – well, it was only February – that they tore up the Limelight to launch their eponymous EP:

A Plastic Rose – Superspeed

Download for iPod (44.5MB)

And the good times roll on for Northern Ireland bands. Huw Stephens in Wales picked up on Belfast’s Not Squares and promptly plucked them for the BBC Introducing stage. Footage from Leeds is now up on the bbc site.

Suck it up here:
BBC INTRODUCING

** UPDATE – Videos of A Plastic Rose have just been posted – hop over here **

No Comments