Lisa Hannigan And Damien Rice Part Ways
Next in line for the Starbucks set: Stereogum reader Nathan M. expressed his dismay at this announcement on damienrice.com:
Band update - 25 Mar 2007Says Nathan: "Sucks for those of us with tickets to the upcoming US tour." You guys know we're big Hannigan fans, and her burgeoning solo career is undoubtedly a factor, but isn't it more fun to postulate irresponsibly that their "professional relationship" running its "creative course" actually is shrouded in salacious circumstances? Fan fiction time: Make up a scandalous backstory to the rift and departure. Maybe use this pic for inspiration.
After much thought and discussion Damien has decided that his professional relationship with Lisa Hannigan has run its creative course. As a result Lisa will not be appearing at any of the upcoming live shows. Lisa is embarking on her own artistic endeavours and there are no plans for them to work together in the foreseeable future. The current band on tour at the moment are - Damien Rice, Joel Shearer, Shane Fitzsimons, Tom Osander & Vyvienne Long.
Posted at 10:43 AM
Tags: Damien Rice | Lisa Hannigan
What's this news about? *yawn* I was listening to Damien Rice and must have fallen asleep...
(Oh, and good move for LH regardless of the reason.)
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She has a great voice, I'm looking forward to see what she'll do on her own.
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Only a matter of time. Was a huge fan of the first album, and thought their live show was incredible. But Damien seems to have really grown too big for his britches in recent years, and the second album was, well, not great.
Here's hoping this is the best career move Lisa ever made.
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good for lisa, bad for damien. ive heard some of the recent performances without her and they are severely lacking. i guess ill have to pass when he comes thru here...
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Damien Rice, sick of being jacked off by Lisa while she's wearing mittens, has decided to look elsehwere for collaborators who don't mind getting their hands dirty for the sake of "art." Lisa, meanwhile, shrouded in confusion, debates whether or not to remove her mittens before moving on.
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Sounds kind of fishy to me. "Damien has decided" and there are no plans for them to work together in the "forseable future" doesn't sound like an amicable split to me. Sounds like he kicked her out. Why? She was what made him really great. On his own he's just another dude with an acoustic guitar and a pretty good voice. More of a David Gray impersonator now more than anything. By the sound of his new record, I think Damien's ego has inflated too big for there to be room for two singers in the band. It's a shame. But I'm glad I didn't buy tickets for his upcoming tour.
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it's not an ego thing, if it were, she wouldn't provide the opening vocals on his sophomore album (which was underrated by the way). The post did seem bitter however and as a ticket holder for his radio city hall, I'm very disappointed. Excited for her solo work though.
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Well, i attended the concert in Oslo on the 23rd of March, and LH wasnt there. Scoured the net after the concert to find a reason why, with no luck. Too bad shes gone, songs like I Remember and Volcano just arent the same without LH...
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I just got tickets for the Arizona show and was looking forward to seeing both......now I think I want to sell my tickets....though I lke Damien very much, they were a team.....not sure it can be replaced.....pitty anyone want 2 tickets for Tucson Az?
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Damien sux. Lisa rox. 'Nuff said.
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i've been a rice fan for a few years.. probably since 05. first album amazed me, 2nd one blew me away.
saw him live at the tower theatre in philly in nov, and again will be in may at the mann center.
lisa is amazing - she'll do just fine
so will damien...
its ashame it had to come to this.
its not an ego-move on either one of their parts - they're both amaizing musicians that each brought something special to the table.
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I am so upset about this. I have tix to the Detroit show and I have 2nd row -- I have not seen Damien live before but love O and just started listening to the new album. I absolutely love Lisa and was thinking 9 crimes would be a great opening song. I can't believe this happened just a month before I'm going to see the show. I am so bummed out. What happened???
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I was really sad to heard the news about LH leaving the band. I've been fan of Damiens music for about four years, and LH has been a great part of that whole experience. Her voice is almost magical! I think Lisa has become a great part of their sucsess and she has probably also been a great part of the creative prosess. There fore she is and probably will become a strong artist. I do not agree with the roumers about Damien kicking her out of the band. These things will happen sooner or later, and nothing is to say that they won't work together again, but maybe not just for a while. I saw Damien in concert at Sentrum Scene about a week ago, and it was wonderfull! Sure I wondered when LH was gonna enter the stage, but not for long, because I got totally lost in the music when he started playing Canonball! So all you people who are talking about selling your tickets, don't do it! You'll miss out on a terrific show! In the mean while I will listen to 0 and 9 while waiting for LH solo album! Come on, chear up, and be greatfull that we have these wonderfull talented people that fill our lives with such beautiful music!
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anyone that truly thinks its an ego thing doesnt understand the type of music they were making, and what they felt when they performed it. it was obvious they were a perfect team- and thats why it hurts for any fan to see them split. but its naive and assumptuous to say that it's damien's "ego" who caused this. from any recorded interview of damien out there anyone with a right mind could tell he's one of the humblest musicians out right now. i think it was bound to happen: they're both unique enough to be solo, and perhaps damien was NICE enough to stop holding lisa back from her own solo act..and let her go. the silence and secrecy, i am guessing, is meant to build just this sort of buzz- but we should be dwelling on their bright, deviating futures, not what "Drama" might have happened. come on fools- thats not what music's about.
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that's the most intelligent thing said on here thus far
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People comaparing damein rice 2 david grey?!? thinking of selling their tickets?!?! i atually don'tt believe what Iam hearing.. DoN't get me wrongg Lisa Hannigan has a completely beautiful amazing voice and she did bring alot to Damien's songs that he wouldn't of been able find with any one else .. But letss not forget who gave lisa hannigan the lyrics to most of those songs and who's sincerity contructed the likes of I remember , woman like a man , rootless tree(to name a few) I was disapointed that lisa wasn't going to be at the gig in wolvohampton ,,, but i can assure you any one who is going to go and see damien flying solo will not be disapointed!!! HE WAS OUT OF THIS WORLD first song ME MY YOKE AND I blewwww meee awayy ,, his sheer passion and power shud not be discouraged.
Goood luck to Lisa and damien,,, their music is about true emotion and realness , not staying together for the sake of a attractive partnership im sure both their new material will be truly special
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I caught the Paris show in March. Noticed right away that lisa was not there. In fact it was one of the first things i mentioned to the woman across the aisle. We discussed the possibility of a breakup throughout the concert.
One month later it would appear that the end of one relationship has become the beginning of another.
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You're all talking bollocks. Yeah so Damien Rice's songs were made great by Lisa Hannigan's vocals. Is it woth reading so much into?! I feel a loss knowing I may never see them together live, bt at the end of the day they have to move on, and we do have their recordings. I saw Damien (pointedly) solo in London and he was absoloutely stunning. No matter what may or not have happened between these two artists we should be thankful to them for sharing their talent, and be grateful should they continue to do so - I for one will be looking forward to any output Lisa or Damien put out there.
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I went to Damien Rice and Lisa wasn't there but he sounded even better...... Its to bad, but hey Damien is great on his own.
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I went to see him in London, Lisa wasn't there and it ruined some of the songs. I was really dissapointed, I would not have bought tickets if I had known. Half way through someone yelled out "Wheres Lisa??" He looked really annoyed and said "I dunno". Miserable git.
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I saw him last night, although he was still awesome, there was a definate void with some songs like Volcano. The dad of Damien's drummer happened to be at the show and I bumped into him during a bathroom trip. I immediately asked him about Lisa, and sadly, yes, Damien kicked her out, and didn't like the attention she was stealing, at least that's what he says his son said.
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Just saw him last night in Minneapolis. Wondered where Lisa was....but the concert turned out to be Brilliant. Yeah, I love seeing them both perform together, but his performance was still top notch and I strongly urge no-one to sell their tickets because LH won't be there.
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I had gone to the Austin Concert and took a friend who had no idea who D.R. was and I hpyed both D.R. and L.H., I was disappointed that L.H. was not there. He proivded an explanation 1/2 through the concert, but it was not the same, we left soon after. I comfronted someone who was selling T-Shirts and asked about L.H. and she had a smart A-- comment and said who;s name is on the billing. The responsible thing to have done was let people know at the venues and get there money back... I want to know what others think......
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I don't understand why everyone makes such a fuss that Lisa left. Congradulations for her. Maybe she just wanted a career of her own, rather than just being known as the singer with Damien Rice. I just saw Damien Rice at San Diego, and he was still amazing. If you don't like him now, you must've not been a true fan at the beginning. So you'll probably feel better now that she's solo.
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I just got back from the Philly show and had no idea they were no longer a team. WTF
Walked in a little late to hear him performing 9 Crimes alone, sat down and then was told by my friend he'd split with Lisa. JackASS move Damien, you are no Ray Lamontagne. So many songs he played were lacking due to her absence.
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Wow...I cna't believe what I'm seeing. Damien Rice is a spectacular artist, with or without Lisa. Maybe it's time they both do some solo stuff. I'll admit it sounded unusual without her vocals, but he was still a brilliant artist/songwriter before her and he's just as great after her. I would see him over and over again.....
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I just caught Damien in Columbus and was not aware that he and Lisa had split. I love the lyrics all the same, but a few songs do lose that special quality without the duet-whether sung by Lisa or not. Damien of course rocked out and was amazing, but I couldn't help hoping she'd walk out and join in...
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Ditto. There was an unplayed bass (cello?) at the far side of the stage that was never touched. I kept waiting for Lisa to appear, but finally gave up hope. The acoustics at the Lifestyle Community Pavilion were f'ing fantastic, but Damien's voice over for Lisa's lines sounded tinny and crackly. I couldn't help but think that this wasn't unintentional. The Columbus audience was far too subdued (bovine really), perhaps confused by the order of songs (alternating between melancholy songs and stuff I'd never heard that freakin ROCKED). At one point, someone actually screamed, "Down in the front!" and everyone immediately obeyed (?????!). Is this normal? The show ended at 10pm sharp, and I felt cheated and inexplicably angry at Elliott Smith for dying. When I got home, I ordered tickets to see GWAR (same place) to erase the nightmarish human corral impression steadily replacing the grandeur of the music in hindsight. AAAUGHHGHIghklhjka!!!!
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It's no doubt that Damien is an incredible songwriter. However, his success in this area depends on him being crapped on in life. I shudder to think what the pain of the Lisa split and the undue criticism will do for the next album. Staying with Lisa might have made him happy, and quick somebody name his most famous happy song. Better yet, name just one of his songs that is happy. He knows what he is doing, she's his muse. Good for them both.
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I wonder if they were involved, like lovers and they just split you know making it too hard to work togehter. Anyone else get that vibe?
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Yep, I wondered that too, if they had been a couple... Either way it's too bad for us, the audience but hopefully a good move for all in the end.
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Went to the gig in Reading UK last week and he was very defensive when asked about Lisa by the crowd. He was pretty good but went overboard on the distorted mic and guitar solo's (lets face it he's no Jose Gonzalez on guitar at the best of times)The magic wasn't there anymore, he's either going to have to change direction or hire a singer, just another ginger singer songwriter without her !
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to those who say damien rice is just another singer songwriter without Lisa is absolute rubbish and to say he's now just a david grey impersonator is equally ridiculous he's in a different league his songwriting skills and style are unbelievable and he say's things in his music that a lot of people would like to be able to say but either can't or don't have the bollocks to do so, lisa complimented him well, but her departure makes him no less of a performer
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Damien Rice isnt the type of artist to kick someone out of his band due to them 'stealing attention'. he's not that sort of bloke! he doesnt do publicity!
it was clearly just a desision made due to the fact that lisa is extremely busy with her own career and Damo didnt want to be left in the lurch or have ocnflicting schedules!
i was at the marlay park gig last night and he phoned he rand got the crowd to shout "we love you lisa"...
hardly the act of someone who doesnt want her to steal attention! also he was fantastic! i love lisa but i didnt even notcie she wasnt there!
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here is my proof...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Np-xV7_leQw
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Just saw Damien in Oshega festival in canada and he was damn good. Seemed to have kicked it up a lot since the last time I saw him last year. Definitly no snooze fest here. I think that they parted well, seems they both have good careers and just are going opposite directions. I was sad lisa was no there but with here career taking off I think it best.
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fuck everyone who thinks 9 was a bad cd. it is as great if not better than o. he worked so hard to not be cliche that he became abstract but his emotion in his songs are three fold that of o. once you connect with those songs you may understand. i recommend seeing him live it helps that change. how he is able to put so much of himself into his music is unbelievable, theres not many that can match, lisa cant.
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I saw Damien once last summer and once this summer. Lisa was missing both times. I enjoyed both shows tremendously but was very disappointed, especially the second time.
Yes, Damien Rice's name is the one on the billing; however, she WAS half the act. No matter how great his vocal range, it's not the same without Lisa, in my opinion. Such a shame.
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Sorry, but without Lisa he really is just another singer/songwriter. She added something truly special... without her it isn't half as good.
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Almost certainly a personal relationship that has ended and regardless of how amicable, a working relationship is extremely difficult. I frequently work creatively with a woman I had an intensely passionate relationship with and it is... well, not hell but not far off. Lisa beautiful voice will be missed.
'O' was such a huge album, '9' had no hope of coming close. The pressures put on an artist to reproduce success is unreal, and quite impossible. It took a lifetime to write 'O' and a few years for '9' in the resulting turmoil. '9' is not a failure by any measure, but I look forward to a long, wonderful career from Damien. The test of time is the only measure.
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Lisa Hannigan half the act? Come on now. 1/4 of the act, maybe, definitely not half.
I sat next to two idiots who shouted "we want Lisa!" almost the entire show in Tucson, AZ in May. Why come to the damn show if you're that upset? Don't ruin it for everyone else because you have ridiculous expectations. If I would have had another beer or two I probably would have made a scene and told them to shut their damn pie-holes. The show was still amazing regardless of Lisa being there or not.
Some of my favorite Damien Rice songs don't feature Lisa. He'll be fine without her, just as I'm sure she'll be fine without him.
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I speculated that maybe Lisa and Damien were involved, as well. The way they'd act around eachother, and that perfect chemistry... Maybe it wasn't a relationship, but they both wanted something, and never actually asked for it, and it got unbearable, and it had to end. Maybe it was a confusing sort of friendship, where they'd be in roles of brother and sister once, then close friends, then professional friends, and then what should've been a romantic relationship, but because it was all a jumble and unsaid, if Damien's much like his lyrical characters, it wasn't. Just speculating, though...
I think they'll do ok by themselves, too, although they worked spectacularly together, and made some unusually beautiful music, but if they can make music that good solo, then good for them. Damien Rice is, technically, a solo act, though, isnt he?
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seriously? some people just can't find the beauty in either of them- but to me- they both cancel eachother out and are brilliant in themselves- where neither really needs the other. it's sad that they're done with eachother- but i'll still listen to both of them.
honeslty though, damien's lyrics are better than lisa's.
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lol at the person lying about tomos dad.
she did make the songs extra special but damien rice is still goin to be awesome.
some of the solo stuff Ive heard from her so far is kinda average..kinda really average .. lets hope she releases some good stuff
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I'm a huge fan of the sound damien and lisa make when they play together. She is more than a backup singer. I was hoping to see them perform at Coachella 2007 but when I found out she wasn't going to be there I sacrificed seeing Damien perform alone so that I could see Rage Against the Machine for the first time in 7 years or so.
I would have watched both but a band called Air took a 1/2 hour too long to set up. Rubbish!!
Lisa sounds good on her own, and I still have the biggest crush on her, but she dominated when she sang with damien. Perhaps someday they'll play together again once she's established herself.
There seems to be some truth to the press release about going different directions. He probably wanted to rock out more, while lisa probably likes the softer, acoustic side of things. Check out her demos on her myspace page. You'll see what I mean.
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Lisa's popularity has been growing for sometime now. Her vocal contributions on Damien Rice cd's has been just enougn to make the fans want more. Her appearances have been just sparse enough that no one, and I mean no one, has gotten tired of her voice or her for that matter. So here is Damien Rice who if focused upon his own career and everywhere he goes, people are talking about Lisa. Indeed, part of him knows that Lisa is the best thing that ever happened to him as an upstart newbie on the scene. His very association with her puts him into a more regal category (check out Herbie Hancock's comments on the 'Possibilities' DVD and notice about whom he is really more excited). Slowly but definitely all of this stuff is weighing on the boy DR. More and more it's "where's Lisa" and "what's it like to work with Lisa?" and "is Lisa going to be with you on this or that appearance"......until one day Lisa looks in one direction and DR throws a hissy fit because it is a different direction than he would have wanted her to look. In other words, something totally insignificant provides the straw that breaks the camel's back. Now they're arguing over a completely different issue having nothing to do with the real problem which is that Lisa is overtaking her "boss'" spotlight without really trying. Hurtful things are said and LIsa cries as she leaves the room. Damien asks, "how, oh how could things be so bad?" Management gets involved, record companies see their chance to scarf up Lisa as a headliner and the rest is history. Next thing you know an e-mail with serious overtones of discord is written by DR and Lisa, deciding it better to say it with her song keeps quiet. Her time is coming. DR, being absolutely talented in every way, will pick up the pieces and do just fine and years down the road, they will come together for a reunion tour in which they both will headline and all this bitterness will be forgotten.
Or not........
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I, like many others, am a huge fan of Damien R's. I have seen him three times and this last one was without Lisa. I didn't have a clue either, but it didn't matter because he was still brilliant. It just took some getting used too. He is a great musician with or without her. I think both of them have huge ego's which in turn clashed in the end. I am looking forward to seeing Lisa in October with Jason MRaz.
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I'm from Ireland, and I went to see Damien play in the pubs and clubs before he was 'big'. Lisa was always just an occassional addition to the gig, and while she is marvellous in her own right, it was Damien who did the work and really made it for himself. As a lot of people have speculated, the two did have a romantic relationship, which is fairly well know over here. However, from what I hear it ended before the release of '9', which is about when Lisa took a break from touring with Damien. It must be difficult for the both of them. Lisa had already been preparing for her solo album and doing solo gigs around the country BEFORE Damien announced the 'break-up', so I'd say they'd both decided on it.
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So NPR says DR told her that her services would no longer be needed moments before they were to take the stage... (and she didn't deny that). Real amicable.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103448882
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What an idiot!
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