Album Notes

A one-time eye surgeon another-time I Ching reader, Lisa Hake landed in her present home of County Louth, Ireland by way of Appalachian roots in the coal mining hills of Morgantown, West Virgina and then by way of bohemian influences from the new age enclave of Sebastopol, California. A singer, songwriter, and guitarist, Lisa has studied with John Renbourn and Alex deGrassi; as well as Nashville hit writer, Steve Seskin. In her debut CD, Tree Over Sea, Lisa’s lyrical inspiration runs the gamut from a Zen Koan to W. B. Yeats. Her musical matter ranges from hypnotic ballads like Lovely Lorely to “vibey-toe tapping numbers” such as In Limbo.

Some reviews of Tree Over Sea:

“A ruminant gestation is writ large on American-born, Louth-based singer-songwriter Lisa Hake's debut. Bearing an uncanny vocal resemblance to Aimee Mann, Hake's horizon is every bit as wide as Mann's, encompassing everything from domestic violence to medieval feminism (Man-Made ), from unrequited love ( Foxglove) to the human tragedy that was the Kursk submarine accident ( Faint of Heart ). Hake's unforced style suggests a lifetime's exposure to everyone from Neil Young to Chrissie Hynde and Sandy Denny, yet her…arrangements would feel right at home in radio-friendly popdom.” “Music that'll seep deep into the veins given half a chance.” --Siobhan Long, Irish Times, July 2007

“Hake is an assured performer, with a beguiling voice and a literate turn of phrase. Watch out for her.” --Jackie Hayden, Hot Press Magazine, January 2007

“…what Hake has come up with is a fine pop album that evokes the sounds of Fleetwood Mac and Steely Dan in more or less equal parts.” “smooth polished vocals and inventive fingerstyle guitar” --Sarah McQuaid, Evening Herald, June 2007

Lisa Hake “is captivating audiences around the country with her mellifluous voice, soft melodies and introspective stories.” --O2 Making Waves, podcastingireland, August 2007

“Lisa Hake, an American now ensconced in Co Louth, has two new songs in the can. ‘Relativity’ is a fine showcase for her introspective soft-rock approach, oozing confidence and panache on a track that has mellow ‘60’s overtones. ‘Old Enough to Know’ is a lighter affair, a jaunty melody effortlessly delivered over a backing that has touches of bluegrass. Hake has the talent and the instinct to straddle a number of genres, from folk to indie rock, without ever falling over.” --Jackie Hayden, Hot Press vol 32, issue 03, Feb 27 2008

Sing Out! Magazine chose “The Magic Blue Bottle From Sidhe” for inclusion in their Summer 2007 issue and CD sampler.

Lisa is featured storytelling songwriter by Narrative Music.