Lisa Hannigan

Lisa Margaret Hannigan (born 12 February 1981) is an Irish musician, singer, composer, and voice actress. She began her musical career as a member of Damien Rice's band. Since beginning her solo career in 2007, she has released three albums: Sea Sew (2008), Passenger (2011), and At Swim (2016). Hannigan's music has received award nominations in Ireland and the United States. Hannigan drew attention in North America for her role as Blue Diamond in Steven Universe, an animated television series created by Rebecca Sugar.

Hannigan was born in Dublin but grew up in Kilcloon, County Meath, Ireland. She attended primary school at Scoil Oilibhéir Naofa in Kilcloon, then attended The King's Hospital, a co-educational independent school at Palmerstown, Dublin, then enrolled at Trinity College Dublin to study French and art history.

While in college, Hannigan met Damien Rice at a concert in Dublin in early 2001. Rice enlisted Hannigan to sing on his 2002 album O and his later album 9, featured in the hit "9 Crimes". She toured with Rice as part of his band during that period, lending vocal support and occasionally playing guitar, bass or drums.

In 2007, Hannigan returned to Dublin and began a solo career. Some of Hannigan's live recordings were available through trading networks radio shows. These recordings included: "Willy" by Joni Mitchell, "Be My Husband" by Nina Simone (from the 1965 album Pastel Blues), "Mercedes Benz" by Janis Joplin and "Love Hurts" by Boudleaux Bryant. Hannigan performed live with her own band, The Daisy Okell Quartet, and contributed guest vocals to the recordings of Mic Christopher, The Frames and Herbie Hancock.

Lisa Hannigan rehearsed her debut solo album, Sea Sew, in a barn in Thomastown and recorded it in Dublin. It was released in Ireland in September 2008. The lead single, "Lille", was available as a free Internet download, and other tracks were available for preview on her Myspace page. The sleeve featured Hannigan's needle-work. Some music critics called the recording one of the best Irish albums of the year.

Sea Sew received favourable reviews in the Los Angeles Times and The New York Times. The single "Lille" was released in August 2008 on Irish and American radio stations. Hannigan performed at Electric Picnic 2008. She opened for singer-songwriter Jason Mraz on his 2008 U.S. tour.

That year she appeared on the charity album Even Better Than the Disco Thing, and performed a duet of Mick Flannery's new song "Christmas Past" with Flannery on Tony Fenton's Christmas Special on Today FM. In December 2008, she made her UK solo debut at St Johns Church in London. Hannigan signed with ATO Records in the U.S., where her album was released in February 2009.

Sea Sew was nominated for the Choice Music Prize and Best Irish Album at the Meteor Music Awards in January 2009.