Best known for her ongoing collaborations with Damien Rice - hers was the sweet, haunting voice that counterpointed his gruffness on both his albums - 2007 looks like it could become the year when Lisa Hannigan steps out from the shadows and moves centre stage.

She began singing with Rice in 2001, performing on the majority of tracks on his debut album, 'O', and accompanying him in his live performances as a vocalist and, occasionally, on electric guitar. Hannigan also worked with Rice on his latest album, '9', singing the lead vocal on the album's first single and opening song, '9 Crimes'.

She has also been involved with many side projects in the Irish music scene, contributing backing vocals to 'Sideways Down' on The Frames' 'Burn the Maps' and Mic Christopher's 'What a Curious Notion' for his posthumous debut, 'Skylarkin'. She performed on the soundtrack for the Irish film 'Goldfish Memory', with Rice, and played a large role on 'The Cake Sale' charity album in aid of a cause close to her heart, Oxfam Ireland's Make Trade Fair campaign. An outing at last year's Electric Picnic and a recent tour with Snow Patrol has seen Hannigan develop more of a solo presence on the Irish music scene. 2007 could be her year.