Lisa Hannigan & Crash Ensemble share third single from compilation album 'In The Echo'

Ireland's leading music ensemble Crash Ensemble and acclaimed singer Lisa Hannigan are collaborators on new single 'MCMXIV', the third single taken from In The Echo: Field Recordings from Earlsfort Terrace.

The eight-track concept compilation album from Ergodos Records, recorded in various locations in the historic National Concert Hall building in Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin – ranging from old lecture theatres to dis-used stairwells, to a former morgue, is due for release on September 30th.

It features collaborations between a number of diverse Irish musicians including:  Lisa O’Neill & Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Katie Kim & Seán Mac Erlaine, Paul Noonan & Roger Moffatt, Eileen Carpio & Sean Carpio, Conor O’Brien & Cian Nugent, Brigid Mae Power & Adrian Crowley, Saileóg Ní Cheannabháin & Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh, and Lisa Hannigan & Crash Ensemble.

'MCMXIV' by Lisa Hannigan & Crash Ensemble is the album’s cinematic closing track. At once stately and transcendent, it progresses with a gentle, ritual-like inevitability. Lisa Hannigan’s wordless vocals soar above and weave and within Crash Ensemble’s shimmering instrumental textures. Stream it below.

This is the third single from the highly anticipated collaborative album curated and produced by Ross Turner, with 'Empire One' by Katie Kim and Seán MacErlaine and 'Peggy Gordon' from Lisa O’Neill and Colm Mac Con Iomaire released earlier this year.

Explaining the origin of the song’s title, Turner said: "‘MCMXIV' refers to the year 1914, which is the year the grandiose façade and entrance to the [National Concert Hall] building was built. If looking at the front of the building you can see MCMXIV written in stone. The recording of this piece took place in a large space directly above the front entrance, and above the Kevin Barry Room – the historic room in which the 1922 Dáil Éireann debates on ratification of the Anglo-Irish Treaty took place."

"I believe the piece captures a mood and tone that is timeless and almost haunted by what had come a century before. It was a privilege to witness and be amongst the eight musicians exploring and complimenting each other as they did."

"Ross Turner asked if Crash would be interested in collaborating with Lisa. The answer was a resounding “yes!" said Kate Ellis, cellist and artistic director of Crash Ensemble.

"When Lisa sings, something magical happens. She is such a beautiful and sensitive musician. Ross is a brilliant musician and producer – one that really understands both the music and the musicians – and I loved the concept of the project. We met and recorded during the course of one afternoon upstairs in one of the rooms on the 2nd floor of the National Concert Hall building. Radiators were played, laughs were had, and some beautiful music was made," she said of the recording sessions.

Pre-order IN THE ECHO: Field Recordings from Earlsfort Terrace here.

Listen to 'MCMXIV' below: