History
Lisa Hannigan: An Irish Singer-Songwriter's Journey
Lisa Hannigan, born on February 12, 1981, in Kilcloon, County Meath, Ireland, is a distinguished Irish singer-songwriter and musician. She first gained significant public recognition in 2001 as the female vocalist on Damien Rice's highly successful albums, O and 9. Hannigan launched her solo career in 2007, subsequently releasing the critically acclaimed albums Sea Sew (2008), Passenger (2011), and At Swim (2016). Her work has garnered award nominations both in Ireland and the United States.
Early Career and Collaborations
Hannigan was a prominent live performer with Damien Rice from early 2001 until March 2007. Their professional collaboration concluded when Rice's official website announced that their creative partnership had "run its creative course." In 2005, Hannigan and Rice co-wrote "Unplayed Piano," a song released to support the Free Aung San Suu Kyi 60th Birthday Campaign. Hannigan also contributed backing vocals to Mic Christopher's album Skylarkin and appeared on the soundtrack for "Goldfish Memory."
The Cake Sale and Solo Beginnings
In 2006, Hannigan joined The Cake Sale, a musical collective comprising primarily Irish artists with some international contributors, formed by Brian Crosby of Bell X1. Their self-titled album, released in Ireland on November 3, 2006, aimed to raise funds for Oxfam and the Irish Make Trade Fair campaign. The album's success led to an international release in the following year, with editions available in the UK on September 10, 2007, and in the US on October 16, 2007.
Solo Success and Album Releases
Hannigan embarked on her solo career, releasing her debut album, Sea Sew, in Ireland on September 12, 2008. The album debuted at number 4 and earned her a Choice Music Prize nomination, two Meteor Music Award nominations, and a shortlist for the Mercury Prize in 2009. The singles "Lille" and "I Don't Know" preceded the album's official US release on February 3, 2009, and its UK release on May 4, 2009. Following a notable performance at the Latitude Festival, Sea Sew received a nomination for the Mercury Music Prize in the UK on July 21, 2009.
Hannigan began writing material for her second album in late 2009, completing the process in March 2011. She recorded the tracks for Passenger with producer Joe Henry in Wales over the course of a single week. The album was released in the US and Canada on September 20, 2011, and in the Republic of Ireland on October 7, 2011.
