Lisa Canny

Acclaimed harpist and banjo player Lisa Canny is going on the road for an Irish tour kicking off in Dublin next week.

The Co Mayo native’s band boasts an eclectic mix of Irish traditional, hip-hop and R&B.

Lisa is taking on the nationwide tour in support of the the release of her debut single from her upcoming EP.

The Beat: What has been your best gig so far?

Lisa: When I played on stage with Elvis Presley, Freddie Mercury and Beyonce. That may also have been a dream though, not sure.

The Beat: Tell us about your new/ latest record?

Lisa: It’s called Freedom and it’s pure class.

The Beat: Describe your music in one sentence.

Lisa: Ethno-indulgent.

The Beat: What are you listening to at the moment?

Lisa: Saint Vincent, SZA, Nils Frahm, Kelela, Nick Cave, The Gloaming, Vulvpeck.

The Beat: What Irish acts do you rate?

Lisa: Every Irish act is amazing!!! We are totally leading the pack these days. But I’m particularly feeling Dermot Kennedy and Saint Sister recently. Mullally is also half-irish so I’m gonna officially claim him here too.

The Beat: What has been your favourite moment as a musician

Lisa: Playing banjo with Akon.

The Beat: What’s in store for you for the rest of 2018?

Lots more good times doing what I love to do - writing, performing and after-partying with my six-piece banger of a band.

The Beat: When is the next gig? Lisa: April 1 in The Bowery, Dublin.

Then April 20 in Cyprus Avenue, Cork; April 21 Monroe’s in Galway; April 27 The Empire in Belfast; April 28 Town Hall Theatre in Claremorris and May 18 in Dolans, Limerick.