Lisa O'Neill's 'Same Cloth or Not' nominated for a Meteor

Jenny McGovern

Ballyhaise songstress Lisa O’Neill has been nominated for the prestigious Meteor Choice Music Prize for her stunning album ‘Same Cloth or Not’.
Each year a panel consisting of 13 media and industry professionals, representing Irish print, radio, TV, online and other assembled music professionals select the Meteor Choice Music Prize shortlist.
This consists of ten albums released by Irish acts for the very first time in any given calendar year. Being one of the top awards in the Irish Music industry Lisa is up against nine notable Irish acts including Kodaline, Little Green Cars and Bell X1.
The Anglo-Celt caught up with the talented lady earlier this week for a brief chat about her nomination, the response to her album and her pride at playing in Cavan.
“It feels surreal to be nominated,” she muses.
“Awards were far from my mind when I was making this album. I’m over the moon. I imagine this might be what it feels like to do well in the Leaving Cert.”
Lisa readily admits that there has been a fair amount of praise for her second album.
“The response to ‘Same Cloth Or Not’ has been interesting. I think that many Irish DJs and journalists have been very generous regarding airing the songs and their opinions on this album. People seem to be reading the words, which means a lot because my poetry is what I had hoped would bring sense to the album for the listeners,” she enthused.
Of the album itself, Lisa recalls that the journey was thrilling.
“The writing and recording was an exciting process. Since its release in October it has grown it’s own legs. I hope it lets me run alongside it a little longer. I look forward to getting tired, that’s when I will stop and write again. Though I am always putting ideas down, I have to stay still for at least a while to give an idea the time it deserves.”
A highlight of the Christmas period for many was The Strypes’ sold-out hometown gigs, for which Lisa was the support act on the Saturday night. She tells The Celt: “I was proud to be asked to open for The Strypes, to play to a sold-out Town Hall three days after Christmas, to play to family and friends is the nicest gig you can wish for at the end of a busy year.
“The Strypes are very talented and lovely fellas. I was was glad to meet them. They deserve all the magic that comes their way because they have clearly worked very hard.”
2013 has been a hectic year for Lisa, with the release of her album and a nationwide tour with Glen Hansard under her belt, the Celt wonders what 2014 has in store.
“I’ve lots of plans for 2014. A year of travelling and gigging is the plan and I’d like to get back in the studio before December.
“I think I’ll be in America at some point in the year but myself and Glen are first heading to Australia. We fly out in the beginning of March, my band are coming too. I can’t wait to see a kangaroo and I’m hoping to meet Mick Dundee as well, he’s my kind of guy.”
Voting will open to the public on Meteor’s Website and their official Facebook page in the coming week. The Meteor Choice Music Prize live event will take place on Thursday, February 27 at Vicar Street Dublin.
Tickets priced €23.50 are currently on sale from Ticketmaster outlets.