Lisa Hannigan is a lovely little vocalist from County Meath, whose beautiful acoustic folk is gaining her major critical acclaim over the world, from Ireland, all the way to the United States. While that sentence sums her up pretty well, I think Lisa has the ability to introduce herself a little better…

“Hello, I am a singer. I often hum away without realising it until I get funny looks on Camden street. I’m good at roasting potatoes and sewing on buttons, but not good at voice mails and competitive sports.”

Lisa’s early music career started out alongside fellow Irish folkster, Damien Rice. Lisa featured heavily on Rice’s 2002 debut album, O – and she also appeared live with Damien several times – taking up guitar, bass, or even drum duties while up on stage. In 2007, following creative difficulties, the partnership came to an end, and Lisa consequently went on to pursue a solo career.

Hannigan’s debut album, Sea Sew, was released in 2008 to an amazing reception . The CD not only gained a nomination for the coveted Choice-Music Prize – it also caught the eye of the United States press, with the Los Angeles Times labelling Sea Sew “charmingly idiosyncratic”.

While I don’t have the same big words as the Los Angeles Times, they are certainly correct in describing Lisa’s music as charming. Hannigan’s gentle voice beautifully compliments her mellow, yet quirky acoustic tunes. She’s an absolute joy to listen to when looking for something that little more peaceful to wind away the hours. Check out her MySpace now to listen to some quaint little songs the super talented Lisa has uploaded for us all to enjoy, including I Don’t Know, Lille and Some Suprise, which features Snow Patrol front man Gary Lightbody.

Peter Mulvey is yet another acoustic singer song writer who hasn’t quite made it to the top but has all the talent and professionalism needed.  He’s been around long enough and his self produced debut album “Brother Rabbit Speaks” was created in 1992 which showed the self motivated and self produced quality that Peter has in his pocket.

To get an idea of his sound, think Newton Faulkner but a bit less rhythmic and more melodic approach while his singing voice is more mature and consistently boasts top notch lyrics.  Peter has a showman feel about him and his material and this could be partly due to his busking background which got him noticed in his local Wisconsin – USA.

Peter’s music is mainly just his voice and his acoustic guitar so all the talent, melody and rhythm needed to create a decent song as to be generated by himself paying testament to his skills.  The track “Road to Mallow” is a fine example of a slow song and,  although gentle, is is an enticing listen.  “Charlie” is the track that displays his best work in my eyes as complicated melodies are busted out while calming smooth vocals ring out at the same time with similar style to Newton Faulker.

If I’m honest then I’d have to admit that I don’t think Peter will ever make it into the mainstream but he is one of those well kept secrets and to be aware of his material is a privilege.  He’s worth a listen and hopefully we’ll see plenty more music to add to the vast back catalogue he already has.

First Aid Kit is formed of two young teenage sisters who have managed to cause a huge noise in the folk world. The Swedish girls (Klara & Johanna Söderberg) may be physically young but the maturity in their debut album Drunken Trees is simply breathtaking.  Every song is filled with inventive musical composition which you just won’t hear anywhere else.

The girls describe their sound as “Folk/Acoustic/Japanese Pop”. Well I’m not an expert on what Japanese pop is like, but if it is anything like this then you can bet that I will be in a few months time. The album’s tracks seem to split into two categories: soft, delicate ballads and up-tempo Japanese Pop?

Lets get down to business then with the highlights of the record. “You’re not coming home tonight” seems to be the big hit out of the collection and it delivers  tidy acoustic playing that would not be out of place around the campfire. If you’re looking for the tune that defines First Aid Kit, then listen to “Jagadamba, You Might” which has a dark tone to it but displays the finest example of the superb vocals and lyrics that are unique to the two Söderberg sisters.

For me, the best track is “Tangerine” simply because it has the perfect balance of being a commercial acoustic song with the First Aid Kit spin to it. It builds at a steady pace and the chorus is one of the few you might be able to sing along with if your voice is as amateur as mine. I also believe that every album needs its perky/chirpy tunes and Drunken Trees does not disappoint with tracks like “Our Own Pretty Ways” and “Cross Oceans” which sees the girls go a bit rock and roll with an awesome bass line backing them up.

To sum up, the album is a stunner. It’s melodic yet weird vocals and scales flow through the record making for a captivating listen. If this duo are supposed to develop then I can’t imagine what the next release will be like. On first listen your ears are simply perplexed, but when you listen to the record again, let your ears adjust and you’ll surely love it.

Stephen Long has one of the most complete sounds I have heard for ages. It is safe to say that at the moment he is not the biggest star on the planet but I’m sure that it is only a matter of time before this guy is eating up the charts. If you like Newton Faulkner you’ll love Stephen Long with his witty lyrics and astonishing acoustic playing.

It is hard enough to create the standard of music Stephen produces but doing it all by yourself shows the talent he has to give. At this moment in time, he has precious little material to show off but listening to songs like “On and On” are unmistakably spell binding. It really is a wonder of the world that he is still an unsigned act but it highlights that not everyone who deserves it, gets there in the music industry.

Influences like the Beatles and Rod Stewart may not show themselves directly in his music but the quality of these professionals is there and Stephen’s music seems to have a truly unique dynamic to it. I suppose that phrase is a cliché these days for new artists but from the moment you listen to any of the tracks from the acoustic guru, you know that a musical genius is in your presence.

So if you’re looking for an artist to fill the gap in your music collection between James Blunt and Newton Faulkner then look no further than Stephen Long.

Like your Belle and Sebastian or Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly? Slightly folky, slightly cheeky, but essentially true songs about real people? Then perhaps Loyal Trooper will be your sort of thing.

Loyal Trooper, better known to family and friends as Andy Walker, releases his “One Day All This Will Work Out…” EP on Monday 3rd November, a collection of six guitar anthems for the jilted generation recorded earlier this year.

Recorded with help from his friends to record all the different instruments and recorded in part in the local Baptist Church in Kettering, it’s certainly not going to win awards for blockbuster production techniques, but what it lacks in sheen it more than makes up for in passion. Loyal Trooper manages to sound sincere, without preaching like some acoustic singer / songwriters end up doing.

With Belle and Sebastian’s artful storytelling (M1 to the A52) and Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly’s social conscience (Five Year Plan), there’s something for everyone who likes their music a little different, a little more thoughtful and colourful than the same old same old David Gray album.

Like what you’re hearing on his myspace page? Well, maybe you want to go out and warm up a cold autumnal evening by catching him at one of the below dates:

Wednesday 22nd October – London Marie Lloyd Bar
Thursday 23rd October – Brighton Latest Music Bar
Saturday 25th October – Leeds Adelphi
Sunday 26th October – Sheffield West Street Live
Monday 27th October – Leicester Musician
Tuesday 28th October – Manchester Ruby Lounge
Thursday 30th October – Kingston Willoughby Arms
Saturday 1st November – Nottingham Dave & Katie’s Halloween Party
Monday 3rd November – London Cocomo
Thursday 6th November – Glasgow Bloc
Tuesday 11th November – Colchester The Twist
Friday 14th November – Birmingham The Sunflower Lounge
Saturday 22nd November – Leeds Cardigan Arms
Wednesday 26th November – Leeds Primrose

Looking for the 2008 Mencap Gigs? Click here. This page is about 2007’s Mencap Gigs!

Updates: I’ve just added the 20th November gig and the 26th November gigs, thanks to a comment from Kathryn below. This was originally posted on 4th October.

The brilliant Mencap have announced this year’s “Little Noise Sessions”, a series of intimate, acoustic gigs, which will take place from Tuesday 20th November to Wednesday 28 November 2007, at Islington’s Union Chapel in London. They’ll be hosted by Radio 1 DJ Jo Whiley.

To get tickets you’ll have to register here to get tickets when they go on sale. Ticket registration opens on Tuesday 2 October and closes at 12.00 Friday 19 October. Those who have registered can then buy tickets online on a first-come-first-served basis from 9am on Monday 22 October. Tickets are £35 each.

The gigs will raise money for Mencap’s Arts Awards scheme which enables children and young people with a learning disability to take part in local arts projects.

Tuesday 20th November – Secret Headliner, Jack Penate, Laura Marling, Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong
Wednesday 21st November – Athlete and The Hoosiers
Thursday 22nd November – Will Young, Newton Faulkner and Adele
Friday 23rd November – Biffy Clyro, We Are Scientists and Young Knives
Saturday 24th November – The Pigeon Detectives and The Metros
Sunday 25th November – Snow Patrol and Cajun Dance Party
Monday 26th November – Kate Nash, Robyn, The Ting Tings
Tuesday 27th November – The Enemy + Special Guests
Wednesday 28th November – Keane, Rilo Kiley + Scouting For Girls

Coincidentally, both Brett Anderson and Beastie boys have announced special acoustic shows today.

Suede’s Brett Anderson is playing Islington’s Union Chapel on Thursday 19 July, for a one off special which is sure to be an amazing show from a guy with much talen that I’ve always admired. Tickets are on sale now.

New York’s finest Beastie Boys are playing the Roundhouse on Thu 6 September after playing the Brixton Academy and Connect the weekend before. These are on sale on Friday at 9am.

Photo taken from eightball’s flickr stream.