Stitch In Time

Next Monday

2010-02-04T16:28:00Z

Hey there,

If any of you guys are in Dublin next Monday (February 8) get yourselves over to Vicar Street to see The Low Anthem. We toured with these guys in the US last year and they were astounding.

They also have a bigger harmonium than I do, so I love them and hate them in equal measure. Maybe a couple of you could distract them while I steal it.

Thank you in advance,
Lisa

The Low Anthem MySpace

Way To Blue

2010-01-21T16:11:00Z

20 Jan 2010

Myself and Una are on the train to Glasgow. There's been no sign of the trolley.

Tonight's the first night of Way to Blue, a set of Nick Drake tribute concerts in which I'll be singing a few songs with a wonderful band, string section and group of singers.

A few months ago I went to meet Kate St John, the musical director, in her kitchen to discuss the songs I would be singing. Being early, I was very lucky to meet Kate McGarrigle, who was there planning her Christmas show in the Albert Hall. What a wonderful singer and songwriter she was, and from my brief meeting with her she seemed a very fun and fine lady too.

Happy new year

2010-01-11T16:48:00Z

Happy (and belated) new year,

Dublin really is beautiful in the snow, and all the schools are closed which increases the general level of exuberance and mischief about.

I'm off to Paris on Tuesday for the tv show "One shot not" if there's any french people reading, fingers crossed the airport is open by then. I want a proper black coffee, real onion soup, and a look at some french snow.

!

2009-07-21T14:02:00Z

I can't transcribe the high pitched noise of excitement that I'm involuntarily making right now, but "!" sums up my feelings best.

"Sea Sew" has just been nominated for a Mercury Music Prize.

I really can't believe it. For myself, the lads in the band, Una, Nurse Ben, all of the people who worked so hard to put this record out and be heard, it's an incredible honour and unbelievable gift.

As I way saying... "!"

Now, to the bar, I'll explain on the way!

Tomo's Phlog #17, UK Tour: See Ya' Scotland

2009-05-04T12:17:00Z

1st May 2009

See Ya' Scotland

Yesterday morning we pulled away from Glasgow having played the first two gigs of our tour there and in Aberdeen. Some of us sampled the haggis, some a fine single malt and we watched Richie go from gentle singer songwriter to electric maven overnight.

Onward now but here's a look at a bit of what we got up to.

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Tomo's Phlog #16, UK Tour: The Luck Of The Donkeys

2009-04-29T15:30:00Z

28th April 2009

The Luck Of The Donkeys

Day one of our Spring UK run finds us ready, rested and raring to go.

We traveled from Belfast to Scotland and found that forgoing the usual stresses involved with airport check-in versus the relative ease of the ferry was one of the best moves we've made. Bravo Una.

Once on Scottish shores our drive up the coast allowed us fine views and a perfect sunset. Unfortunately, as I was driving, I didn't get any photos of either. Never the less, it was a fine and relaxed start to the tour and I think we all agree now that flying is truly for the birds.

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Tomo's Photo Blog #15: The Colbert Bump

2009-03-27T19:31:00Z

19th of Feb. 2009

Bump this, I say.

Today was my favorite day of the tour.

Perhaps it was the favorite day for the entire band, I'm not sure but it was definitely mine. No question.

I am pleased to present: The Day We Played The Colbert Report

.........or Fox It Ain't, Baby

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Tomo's Photo Blog #14

2009-03-20T15:55:00Z

16th of March 2009

How the time does fly. We are approaching our final week of six on this run. There was a busy stretch of 8 days straight with either gigs, promo or both. That combined with our reaching the East Coast, thus more friends and family to look after than elsewhere on tour, I now realize that I've got a considerable backlog of photos. We'll call it a backblog perhaps.

As a result I will try to put up a new photo spread each day over the next week until you (and I) get caught up. In addition, there is a new section on Lisa's site where you can submit your own photos for publishing. That said, we're at South By South West this week and I'm poaching internet from the house next door.

Should they catch on all bets are off.

Best, Tomo

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The Colbert Report

2009-03-10T14:56:00Z

Hello there,

Yesterday was up there with getting the petite 990 as one of my favourite days.

Stephen Colbert is my hero.

I am, literally, wearing the t-shirt.

And the hat.

Here are links to the episode..

He saw our "I Don't Know" in the pub and asked if we were about. I don't know what to say I'm so chuffed.

I will be wearing my hat for the remainder of the tour, possibly removing it for showers.

(although it's more likely that it will be removed from my cold dead head, as if I were in the NRA and it was my "Sweetness")

L x

Four Seasons in One Tour

2009-03-03T15:29:00Z

02 March 2009

Here we are, half way through our first American Lisa Hannigan headline tour, and sure gegorrah and begosh isn't it only great craic altogether! We've been busy little bees between gigs and radio slots and promo shows and the like, and there's been a great reaction to everything we've been getting up to so far. Thanks to everyone for that and long may it continue... Tomo has been great with his photo diary, giving a nice taster on the story so far and some of the great people we've met, but in Phoenix I was asked to get blogging again so here we go. This one's for you Amy! Oh, ahem, and of course everyone else on the internet...

Okaaaaaay.... For my blog, where to start eh? I suppose in true Irish fashion, always a good topic to start waffling is the weather. We left a very snowy and slushy Ireland this day three weeks ago, glad to leave that weather behind us. It was great to be wandering around San Diego the next day in shorts and a t-shirt, and for some reason I thought that would be the story for the whole tour. Silly billy bunagh (as Tomo's eldest would say)... I lived in a massive heatwave in Chicago for a few months in my student days many many moons ago, so to drive along Lakeshore Drive for the first time since then and see Lake Michigan frozen solid as far as maybe a half mile out at parts was pretty insane to say the least. Over the last three weeks we've sweated, frozen, been saturated to the bones, sunburnt and again frozen solid. Its like a more severe Irish summer! Madness.

Anyway, weather schmeather, lets talk gigs. Every one we've played has been really different, but we've been very lucky with the audiences who've been coming along to see Lisa do her thang, that much is consistant. People have been really cool everywhere we've gone. Tomo mentioned The Rhythm Room in Phoenix, one of the highlights for sure - there really was a great energy between band and audience, the kind you can't plan but only hope for, and it kept all in the room as one driving force feeding from each other from beginning to end. Ya gotta love any gig that works out like that and we've certainly had a couple...

From The Troubador show in LA being like a regular house party with people boogying on down to Lisa's (increasingly perfectly coordinated) uncoordinated dancing, to a very appreciative bunch of smiley heads who came bearing gifts in the form of a packet of Tayto Cheese'n'Onion crisps [any Paddy away from home gets the significance of that!] and an advent calendar counting down down days to the gig for young Hannigan last night, in Toronto's The Mod Club, each one has been pretty special in its own way to say the least. That's the great thing about playing so many different types of rooms, they can all lend themselves to a very different type of show. That's one way to keep things interesting for sure so bring it on!

Playing The Tonight Show was an incredible experience. Jay (yeah we're on first name terms now, no big deal..) came to our dressing room and introduced himself beforehand which was really cool. Very nice chap. Thanks to everyone in NBC for making it so relaxed and welcoming out there, as I for one would have had stomach churning nerves otherwise! In the true style of the plinky plonk folk rockers we are, we've been very good at looking after ourselves in terms of eating/sleeping well and not partying on this tour, but there were a few sore heads the next day after Leno for sure. Thankfully we had a day off, but Ooooouuch all the same..

Gav opened for us for the first set of shows, and as always with Gav he got the crowds warmed up very nicely with his sweet tunes and of course his patented bit of Gavlike charming banter. A handsome Irish lad with the gift of the gab is our Gavin for sure, check in with his myspace to hear more, those who've seen him will vouch that he indeed knows his craft well. For the last couple of gigs and for the remainder of the tour we're lucky enough to have The Low Anthem opening. My advice - if you're coming to see us over the rest of the tour, get in to the show in time to hear them. Beautiful use of both instruments and voices all around. Again, a good looking bunch of talented heads who know their craft they certainly are (the feckers..).

Other than that I don't have a huge amount to report. It's been great over here for our second time out, and thanks to anyone and everyone from promoters to audience members for making it so. Keep an ear to the ground for radio slots as we go, they've all been really cool to do. The KCRW "Morning Becomes Eclectic" webcast show even had a few people from home watching us playing live online, which is a really bizarre concept in a lot of ways - but definitely an enjoyable experience to be getting texts from friends and family afterwards, when we had no idea were watching us!! By the way, that's just one of some really cool radio shows we've been lucky enough to perform on so far. In particular, big up yourselves all in Studio 3 at KCBO in Boulder, and the Daytrotter lads in Rock Island as well. More great heads with a fantastic set up that welcome exactly what we do. Love it.

Can't finish this blog without one very important acknowledgement. A MASSIVE thanks to Úna, best tour manager around, who has been working around the clock and has had no small part in how great everything here has been for us and how smoothly its running. Legendary stuff outta her.

Right so I'm off to get some dinner somewhere in a very snowy and cold Boston. We're making our way around this ridiculously vast bit of land, so those of you we haven't yet reached, be patient - we're looking forward to seeing you soon. Those who've made it to see us thus far, an earnest thanks from all at camp Hannigan for such a special experience.

Be good folks,
Donagh x

US Tour - 28 Feb 09

2009-03-02T18:04:00Z

Everyday a new adventure.

Making our way across the midwest; Denver, Minneapolis, Chicago for gigs and several other states we pass through under cover of night.

From the heat of Phoenix to the eight inches of snow in Minnesota that fell in an hour and now minus six degrees in Chicago we are experiencing all kinds of weather, none of which would be normal back home. Don't get me wrong, I'm not wishing for Irish weather. Just comparing a bit. Hmmmm, sideways sheets of rain for months straight or subzero temperatures, ice and snow?

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US Tour - 14 Feb 09

2009-02-26T23:07:00Z

The events below took place in the first week of the tour. I have posted other, more up to date blogs since then as I wanted to do proper justice to the events and people we encountered on the 14th of February.

To those in Mountain Gate, CA forgive my delay and I hope you all are well.

Best,
Tomo

14 February 2009

As much planning as goes into a tour like this there are still days, times, moments even when you arrive somewhere unexpected, find yourself amongst total strangers and are reminded of the incredible power of the human spirit that is bubbling all around us. Today was such a day.

We left San Francisco at 23:00 last night bound for Seattle on what should have been a thirteen hour drive. Our journey stopped rather short of that destination when at 3:00am Charlie (our trusted driver) encountered a road block due to ice on the mountain pass near Shasta.

When I awoke at 6:30am we were parked up at a little convenience and petrol station in Mountain Gate, CA (population 792). I went inside the shop for a cup of coffee and a browse. Upon exiting I came upon three locals sitting at a table enjoying their morning brew. I was instantly struck by the welcoming manner and familiar banter/messing George, Jeff and Merle were sharing with each other. I learned how these fellows gather here every morning (even Christmas) to sip their coffee, chew the fat and, as they put it, solve all the world's problems. I'm not sure where they are with that rather ambitious list but I do know that they have one hell of a good time.

The coffee club that runs each morning was started back in 1985 by George and his late friend Bill Denham (who is honored by a plaque embedded in the stone table these gents sit around). Yup, that's 24 years these guys have been gathering every day including holidays, rain, shine and snow. There seems to be a core of 10 or so involved with various others coming and going along the way.

The foul weather was showing no signs of lifting further up the mountain and as the morning drew on it became apparent that our bus would not be allowed over the pass unless we purchased the required tire chains.

After much to-ing and fro-ing as to what should be our next move George, another member of the coffee club, drove home and brought us back a set of chains. He wanted nothing in return (though we did ply him with CDs) and simply wished us well and waved good bye.

By the time we were on our way the rest of the gang had all departed but as the bus began to climb the big hill towards the pass our merry band sat smiling, a bit merrier than before in the knowledge that we'd had the fortune of coming upon some very good souls.

If you're watching or listening Mr. Bill Denham (and I'm sure you are) please know what a fine legacy you've left, what good friends you have and how you've touched so many- even those, like me, who never got to meet you in person.

Thank You!

2009-02-26T13:07:00Z

Thank you to everybody that voted in the Hot Press Readers' Poll... what a brilliant way to wake up on a Wednesday morning. And although I don't really know what Love of the Year means... I'm hoping that Hot Press will organise that myself and Barack Obama go on the Ferris wheel in the Electric Picnic this year in celebration.

Thanks again, I feel very honoured,
Lisa x

US Tour - 23 Feb 09

2009-02-25T15:54:00Z

Woke up to the warm air of Phoenix, though we would later to learn it was not such a hot day for this town. Still, it was a far cry from Ireland in February.

Heat aside, we had no idea that our gig this evening would turn out to be our best yet. The audience was the most receptive (not the others haven't been but this was another notch up) and the band was really on. I'm not sure what they put in the water in Phoenix or if perhaps it was the BBQ but if the roof wasn't entirely lifted off the Rhythm Room this night then it was surely pried loose. Call in the carpenters.

We'll see you very soon, Phoenix. Cheers.

Best,
Tomo

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US Tour - 22 Feb 09

2009-02-24T17:05:00Z

Played the Troubadour last night. Great show, great crowd and great guest violin provided by Melissa Reiner.

It seems like we've been in Los Angeles for more than four days but we've packed an awful lot into those days. Nice place to visit but also a nice place to say, "Goodbye, thank you and see ya' next time".

Most importantly, we got out before Oscar landed.

Best,
Tomo

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US Tour - 20 Feb 09

2009-02-23T16:17:00Z

Day three in Los Angeles found us rising quite early for the drive down to Santa Monica and radio station KCRW. We were off to play their fine program Morning Becomes Eclectic. It's a great station and we were most pleased they asked us to perform. Carolyn from ATO kindly transported us safely to and fro.

Tomorrow we'll be playing our first sold out show at the Troubadour before heading South, bound for Phoenix. Thanks for having us, LA, see you next time.

Best,
Tomo

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US Tour - 18 Feb 09, Part Deux

2009-02-23T16:11:00Z

After returning from The Tonight Show and following a massive Sushi meal we headed for the nearest bowling alley.

Mark beat all of us in both games with his gentle yet accurate tosses. A rematch is immanent.

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US Tour - 18 Feb 09

2009-02-20T16:55:00Z

We spent the day at NBC studios taping the Tonight Show. It's a long day there; lots of sitting around, eating bagels, soundchecks, eating lunch, camera rehearsals, eating sticky buns. You get the idea.

The show went really well and by the time we got around to our segment, it was over in no time.

Unfortunately, as you can see by the sign below I didn't get any shots on the set but you check out some of what went on off camera.

Best,
Tomo

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US Tour - 17 Feb 09

2009-02-20T16:33:00Z

Tipping away through the Pacific Northwest; Seattle, Portland and then down to San Francisco. The jet lag is passing and the band's sounding better each day. Here are a few shots from the last couple of days.

Tomo

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US Tour - 16 Feb 09

2009-02-18T16:34:00Z

Thought I'd give you all a few shots of the stage that we see every day. These ones come from our show in Seattle on the 15th at The Triple Door.

There will be more like these in the future as Gavin has already complained that I didn't get a good one of his pedal board. In time Gav, in time.

Best, Tomo

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US Tour - Easy Street

2009-02-18T15:55:00Z

16 February 2009

ATO (the record company) sent us an LP copy of Sea Sew to approve before they press the vinyl version for distribution. We found one of those proper, wonderful and sadly diminishing record shops to give it a listen.

If you're passing through Seattle, make your way to Easy Street Records. They are the kind of music shop I grew up going to, they may not be around too much longer and they could certainly use your support.

Best, Tomo

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US Tour - 13 Feb 09

2009-02-17T15:49:00Z

Arrived in San Francisco this morning.

The bus parked up on Pier 30, next to the Bay Bridge. It was impossible not to shoot said bridge.

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US Tour - 12 Feb 09

2009-02-15T16:42:00Z

Today we drove the 45 minutes from San Diego to Carlsbad so we could play a radio convention called the Sunset Sessions. Often the setting for these kind of things is a rather sterile conference room at midday where you perform in front of people who choose songs for radio, film and television rather than a normal, ticket-buying crowd.

Refreshingly, this one was set outdoors at the La Costa Resort, under clear skies and with golfers smacking balls all around us; I liked that.

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US Tour - 11 Feb 09

2009-02-12T22:35:00Z

We're back in the states for 6 weeks.

Jet lag is rearing it's confused head, the portions are larger and we've been reminded that over here an Americano is simply a black coffee.

Still, we are delighted to be back on the road, playing tunes and seeing the sites.

I vowed to upload a few photos every day (almost) to keep you all tuned in to what we're getting up to. It may just happen.

Enjoy,
Tomo

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Thanks for a great year

2008-12-22T15:13:00Z

Hello there,

After a week of not letting go of the good times I'm laid up with a sore throat and a mountain of lists for ticking. Most of them involve the baking of presents so it's fine.

Our homecoming show in Vicar street was a fittingly joyous occasion to finish off the year for myself, the band, Una and Ben. I thought it was a crazy idea when Uns first suggested it early on in the year but am very happy to be proved wrong.

The gig began with the first showing of the video for "Lille", made by Jamie Hannigan and Maeve Clancy. They spent weeks making this beautiful book from scratch and I think it's breathtaking. I hope you enjoy it...

I've had a wonderful year and I hope you have too,

Lisa x

ps. If anyone is at a loss for present buying give these a try -

Mrs Moynihan's flapjacks

125g (4oz) butter
90g (3oz) golden syrup
90g (3oz) light muscovado sugar
250g oats
pinch of salt
Buttered shallow cake tin about 20 x 30 (8x12 inches)

Melt the butter, sugar syrup and salt in a saucepan. Stir in the oats (add chocolate chips or fruit or nuts if you like). Spoon into the buttered tin.Bake for 30 minutes at 180C. Leave to cool and then chop into flapjacks.

I have never left any to cool.

Tomo's Tour Wrapup

2008-12-12T01:04:00Z

December 5, 2008

Home now and happy to be but I'm deep in the grips of jet lag. Seems to me, over these last few days, that mid afternoon is a great time for a 3 hour "nap" and I find myself wide awake at 4 in the morning. This moment, being one of the later and with an ever growing to do list rattling 'round my head I figured I might as well get up and do something useful. Not sure whether blogging qualifies as useful as there are more pressing things on the agenda today but at 5:00am I'm not going outside to cut firewood.

Others in the band have commented here about what a great time we all had over the last 8 weeks. I echo the sentiments and will simply say that in all my years on the road I've never enjoyed a tour more than this one.

I, like many, enjoy documenting the touring experience with photographs and figured it might be an enjoyable way for some of you to get a little taste of what went on out there. I'll start with the shots below and maybe, over time, add more.

Enjoy,
Tomo

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Missive from Milwaukee

2008-11-21T17:59:00Z

It's so cold that we've taken to microwaving our socks and hats on the bus. There's a vague smell of melted cheese and burning fabric off of us. At least we're warm!

In san diego, (when we were too warm) we got ourselves dressed up for halloween. Una and Donagh's lovely sister Dee was over and used her theatre skills to turn us into a nest of spiders.

Thanks to Bueno for the pictures.
Lisa x

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Teachers Pet... Oh and ATO & Grey's Anatomy - YIKES!!

2008-11-21T15:26:00Z

November 19, 2008

Well, well, well...

Looks like I'm the best boy in school today. Welcome to my second blog of the tour. Oh and here's an apple just for you Lisa. You're welcome.

I know our boss lady has been keeping you as up to date as possible while we've been on the road, with various photos taken by Bueno of the gigs (and of course, more importantly, our handlebar moustaches), so I'll try to keep it concise as I am prone to a bit of waffle.

There is much excitement within Camp Hannigan in America.

BIG NEWS part 1: Lisa signed to ATO Records last week, we celebrated with many more cocktails than we initially intended, but sure that's what a day off in Las Vegas (baby) is for I guess. We're all very excited about it, they're an exceptional troop who we all had a fantastic time getting to know and look forward to working with into the future. America, you can buy Sea Sew on iTunes now, or in record stores here on January 20th 2009. Yes indeedy, actually to say we're excited about that is a serious understatement.

BIG NEWS part 2: Tomorrow night, November 20th, in America, and I guess soon after in the rest of the world, Ocean and a Rock will be aired in Grey's Anatomy!!! Unreal. Again a huge amount of excitement here! We're all dying to see if we kill someone, bring someone back to life, or what we do to them. Maybe someone will leave because of us...

Those that know the show best have just discussed it and none of us want to see any of the characters leave, so lets hope not. Either way, we'll be tucked up with a bottle of champagne on the bus to see what happens, and regardless of how it all works out, we'll be celebrating.

We've been traveling for three days on the bus now, just arrived to The Myth in Minneapolis for our first of two nights' shows, I just had my first shower in three days, I feel clean enough to go sound check.

I really struggle with being concise as you can see. Catch you all on the flipside!

Donagh x

Greetings from Tucumcari

2008-11-18T16:06:00Z

Tucumcari, New Mexico November 17th 2008

We had our own show in Largo back in October. A beautiful old theatre in Los Angeles. Bueno was there and took some photos...

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and finally, Shane met Marvin Gaye! (his real dad)

Thanks Bueno,
Lisa x

Finally!

2008-11-17T15:42:00Z

Phoenix , November 15th 2008

I haven't been very good with the blogging this past while, what with all the travelling and playing and laughing we've been doing. But recent developments have changed all that.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Tom Osander...

Denver, Colorado 27th October

2008-11-03T16:35:00Z

Today myself and the boys found a great shop called Boss vintage and spent a happy afternoon rooting through their racks. Two frocks and a hat later, we played the beautiful Fillmore in Denver.

Bueno was on the case..

Lisa

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Houston, we have a Bueno

2008-10-27T15:03:00Z

Sunday 26th October, Oklahoma, 4 pm

Housemate, official tour photographer and international man of mystery, Bueno, arrived yesterday in Houston, Texas. Always a welcome development.
L

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and then there were three...

2008-10-23T20:46:00Z

Grand Prairie, Texas, 23rd October

Dr. Funk has succumbed to the power of the handlebar.
Three down, three to go..

Louisville, Kentucky 21st October

2008-10-22T13:59:00Z

We've been on the road for two weeks now and another band member has fallen under the bristly wheels of the handlebar truck.

First was Gavin Glass, bequiffed and never without a towel:

Exhibit B is the Bunagh, whose beard is now in the bin of the Washington dressing room. Sigh.

At this rate we could be 100% handlebarred by halloween! (I've seen Una eyeing up the sharpies)

Lisa x

Day 9 in the Big Brother House...

2008-10-17T16:10:00Z

Well, not quite. It's all about the bus.

So far this tour has been up there with the most pleasurable experiences of my life. From meeting a hugely-grinning Team Hannigan in Dublin airport to waking up this morning in Toronto, there has been a serious amount of good times and great memories, and I think I speak for us all when I say that we're not taking a second of it for granted!

Week one was crazy busy, with eight gigs in the first six days in I don't even know how many cities. We kicked off with two of our own shows last Tuesday (woah, that was a week ago?!) in Joe's Pub in New York, where we played back-to-back gigs to a lovely bunch of heads who seemed equally as happy as us to be there ... always a good thing to see smiley heads bopping along.

Next day we woke up in Scranton PA where we met Team Jason Mraz. We knew we were in a hugely lucky position to have been asked to open for Jason on this tour, but the second we met the band and crew it was clear that it was gonna be a bit more special than we'd expected. They are all legends, really hugely welcoming to a bunch of paddies on their first day at school! Its a very professional operation with an amazing crew who work around the clock (literally) to make it the show it is. Definitely very worthwhile seeing, and performed by some incredible musicians who clearly love and are very good at what they do.

Things to do before I die:
- play a gig at Radio City.
Tick!

We played, people listened, big smiles all around. As we walked off stage from what had been a completely blacked out auditorium (the only things we could see while performing were hundreds of blue glow sticks and red exit signs), Tomo stopped me and told me to turn around. My jaw hit the floor. The room was lit up as we left the stage, and now what we saw was a moving wall of thousands of tiny people cheering. I owe Tomo for making me turn around, because I will not be forgetting that image or experience in this lifetime.

That's not to take away from any other gig we've done here - the audiences we've played to everywhere have been unreal, and a massive thank you is due to every person that's come to see Jason but given us their attention too. It's so amazing to play to people that haven't heard the music before, but are listening and (we hope) enjoying it. We tend to get out into the crowd to see as much of Jason's gigs as possible each night, and have meet some really cool people in the audiences when we do. It's great to chat to people after the show as well, and it's pretty special to see people that, for the most part, didn't know we existed a couple of hours earlier, leave with a copy of Sea Sew they picked up at the merch stand.

Too much positivity for a blog? Sorry to disappoint kids, I have very little to be complaining about these days. Where I am, what I'm doing, the people I'm doing it with, it's all a bit surreal considering it was only this time last year Lisa started putting the band together.

It's been an incredible year, and I'm a very lucky Bunagh.

Bring. It. On.

Donagh x

new york city 4.30 am

2008-10-07T19:52:00Z

And we're off.

It's a combination of jetlag and excitement that has me awake so early. While the jetlag will fade I'm quite sure the excitement will propel the band and I around the country for the next 8 weeks. If only we could bottle it and sell it at petrol pumps. That seemed to be the general consensus in the van last night - as Manhattan reared up before us, glittering in the darkness. We're off!

L

Things I Learned

2008-09-22T12:59:00Z

Today I learned two new things.

There is a way to recapture the magical, squeak inducing, sleep depriving feeling of childhood christmas eves.

I'm not the fizziest drink in the fridge when it comes to rumbling a surprise album launch party.

The former has been dawning on me over the past few weeks. Last night going to bed I was launched, Proust like, to the mid eighties, Back then I was fizzing excitedly for a petite 990 (a toy typewriter whose 9 to 5 tuned ad sent me into fits of squealing). Now I'm thinking about all the new albums, sitting in darkened shops around the country, waiting for morning.

The latter, in all fairness, was due less to my wide eyed innocence and more to Una's wily powers of deception and cunning. Thanks bird!

About the Petite 990, I seem to be the only person to remember this, and I've even asked the internet. Did I invent this or can someone out there corroborate me up?

Linky Li

2008-09-05T21:47:00Z

Friends of the Earth Ireland is an organisation working to get the Government to pass a law that ensures Ireland reduces its greenhouse gas emissions by 3% a year. Essential in making sure Ireland does its fair share to prevent climate chaos.
My MySpace
The Cake Sale
The Hunger Site
Make Trade Fair
Kottke.org
PostSecret
Joy of Baking
David Shrigley
Miranda July
RNLI
The Donkey Sanctuary
Electric Picnic

Hello everyone!

2008-08-07T17:21:00Z

My name is Una. All of us at camp Hannigan are very excited about Lisa's new internet house. It's another place to pull up a pew, put on the kettle and let everyone know about all the brilliant things that we're all lucky enough to be involved in these days.

We've spent the summer getting ready for what's to come, running up and down the country, with Lisa and the gang playing in all sorts of places to all sorts of lovely people. I've been kept busy making sure all the boys wash behind their ears and have their shirts tucked in before they go on stage.

I'll try and gather homework from all the team and make sure they fill up this spot with all the goings on.

It's going to be an pretty big adventure. Come along for the craic. Do.

Una

Double Chocolate Cookies

2008-08-05T16:25:00Z

These are delicious. And this recipe makes enough for a hungry band for a few days. Which is a lot. As with most situations, the more chocolate, the better.

225g salted butter
400g soft brown sugar
25g caster sugar
3 tsps vanilla extract
2 free range eggs
350g sifted flour
50g cocoa
2 level tsps bicarbonate of soda
450g - 500g your favourite chocolate (this is a little more than you need but it rarely all arrives in the mixture after chopping it.)

Firstly preheat your oven to 150 for fan ovens or 170 for fanless. Let the butter soften in a big mixing bowl, Then add the sugar and the vanilla extract and beat together until it's fluffy. If the butter's soft you can do this by hand no problem. Then mix in the beaten eggs. Now the sifted flour, bicarb and cocoa. This is a good point to start tasting the dough (there is raw eggs in it so don't go overboard but if you can resist it then well done) Now roughly chop your chocolate, try some, and mix in the rest. I think the bigger the chocolate chunks, the better.

Now, cover a baking tray with parchment and show it the butter so the cookies don't stick. If you want those big fat cookies put a big tablespoon sized blob down (and maybe an extra minute or two) for smaller cookies use a heaped teaspoon.You can do around 6 at a time. (you can freeze the dough balls to use another time but I've never really had any left over)

After 13 - 15 minutes take them out and give the cookies a couple of minutes before transferring them to a plate.

A glass of milk, a cup of tea, a few warm cookies. A breakfast of champions!

Have a go and let me know how you get on.

My current favourites

2008-07-04T18:00:00Z

I'm typing away in time to Jape's Ritual. It's only massive. On the tour I was listening to Bon Iver's record quite a bit. It sat perfectly in the wild south west of Ireland. On one beautiful clear and star stuffed night I saw Una excitedly imploring Tomo to lie out in the middle of the car park in Baltimore with her and listen to 'Skinny Love' with one headphone each as he hadn't yet. That says it all really.

I've just started reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusak and still dipping into Miranda July's lovely book of short stories, No one belongs here more than you. Donagh's been reading The Dirt, the Mötley Crüe autobiography and I picked that up a few times and re read some bits. Man, that *** is insane. I hope the Bunagh isn't getting any ideas... Actually that could be quite entertaining. Donagh Molloy, the lost years of glock and roll.
I'll stock up on the solpadene so.

Favourites from Donagh

2008-07-02T17:44:00Z

Well well...

My favourite band/musician changes probably weekly (monogomusic isn't my forte). Right now both of Beirut's albums and Jape's Ritual rate very highly, incredible stuff. All time favourites include Paul Simon's Graceland and David Kitt's The Big Romance.

I love movies and couldn't pick a favourite, but the first that come to mind are Fight Club, The Wedding Singer, The Matrix, Twelve Angry Men, The Big Lebowski, Anchorman (and all things Will Ferrell)...

I'm not a great reader anymore. Last book I read that I couldn't put down was The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. Loved Asterix and Tintin books as a kid, and would love to get some of that enthusiasm for reading back. Reading The Dirt now, insane.

Shane's Favourites

2008-07-02T14:25:00Z

Favourite book

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Café
"This is a great book with wonderful characters"
Ricky, Ricky Tomlinson
"It's just very, very funny"

Favourite Music

What's Going On, Marvin Gaye
"Amazing"
Any Motown
"The Funk Brothers. That's it."

Favourite Movie

Withnail and I
"Great movie, so fumy"
The Big Lebowski
"Great comedy"
Godfather 1 and 2 but NOT 3. Say no more
"Absolutely great except three."

Tomo's Favourite Band

2008-07-01T17:50:00Z

Lately I've been rediscovering archive.org. It's a place I dip in and out of over time, going back when I need a fix, filling up and then leaving it alone for a while. Home to hours and hours of live recordings of the Grateful Dead, it can suck you in and keep you warmly nestled up like an old friend or a comfy pair of trousers.

Until last year this site provided free downloads of the soundboard tapes spanning 30 years of the Grateful Dead. The band had an unofficial policy of allowing audience members to tape record (remember cassettes?!) their shows. In the mid 80's they even setting up a section behind the sound desk exclusively for the tapers to set up their gear and roll. Unfortunately I'm told that recently someone in the organization decided there was money to be made now on these quality recordings and the decision was made to take all the soundboard tapes off the internet. Luckily you can still enjoy the audience versions. The quality isn't as pure but all the energy is there and it's nice to be able to re-visit those memories of my youth in aural form.

Perhaps another day I'll try to properly explain the magic that was the Grateful Dead. Suffice to say that it would be very difficult for anyone who wasn't able to see them live to truly understand the power that the band and audience combined could have. I must say I always feel silly trying to describe what the Dead meant to me. It was more than the music. A Dead show involved so many aspects beyond the actual 3 hour (or more) concert. The travel to, the build up on the day, the camping and parking lot scene, the show, the wind down, the night, the plans for the next day and the next show. Of course the music was the reason I was there and on the nights when the band truly came through it was the highest time I've ever know as an audience member.

Funny, there are still days when a certain smell in the air or a cloud formation or something else can flash me back to moment of anticipation before a Dead show. It's a really powerful thing. I love, absolutely, the Beatles and everything they were and continue to be. Steely Dan showed me the magic of combining intelligent jazz concepts with pop music. Frank Zappa proved that humour does belong in music. Joni, Rickie, Metheny, Evans, Coltrane, Wilco, and many more continue to inspire and blow me away. But there is, and will ever be, only one Grateful Dead. As Bill Graham said, "They're not the best at what they do, they're the only ones who what they do". I miss them on a daily basis but I'm so glad I had the time with them that I did.

Pick up Europe '72 or Blues For Allah. Maybe go more gently with American Beauty or Working Man's Dead". Perhaps you'll find a live show on archive.org or even a live DVD on Ebay or through dead.net that grabs you. I can't tell you the best way to "get it" but you just might. Either way, I'll keep flying the flag. Proudly.