Music
Dive into the crystal-clear voice of Ireland’s Lisa Hannigan as she performs a Stripped Session.
Damien Rice did Lisa Hannigan a favour when he unceremoniously sacked her from his band between a soundcheck and a gig. Hannigan had been singing back-up for Rice, who she also dated, since they met at their university fresher's week in Dublin. She sang on his hit albums O and 9, touring with him for two years.
Hannigan's wonderfully clear, fluid voice was always worth more than harmonies-for-hire, though. Her solo debut album, 2009's Mercury Music Prize-nominated Sea Sew, soon proved that.
This summer she released her third record, At Swim. Produced by Aaron Dessner of The National, it's full of songs that are prettily melodic on the surface, but with a strong textural undertow. In this exclusive live session you can hear her perform two tracks, Fall and Prayer For The Dying, the latter inspired by the death of a close friend's mother.
For Hannigan, the album title was all about being "at sea" in her career, following a spot of creative block – but you wouldn't know it now.
Watch Lisa Hannigan's exclusive performances of Fall (above) and Prayer For The Dying (below).
Lisa Hannigan is on Facebook.
Her new album At Swim is out now. Buy it here.
Want to discover a world of new music? Like our Facebook page.