- Hal (band)
Hal are a critically acclaimed Irish band composed of brothers Dave Allen (vocals/guitar) and Paul Allen (vocals/bass), Stephen O'Brien (keyboards, occasional guitars and backing vocals) and Steve Hogan (drums) who formed in
2003 .Biography
HAL was signed to Rough Trade Records following a bidding war with several major labels.
Their first single, "Worry About the Wind" was released in2004 . This single was very well received by press, and many claimed that HAL would become "the" band of2004 . Fact|date=July 2008 Their debut album, "Hal" was one of the best reviewed albums of 2005. Fact|date=July 2008 Their singles "What a Lovely Dance" and "Play the Hits" are prominently featured on Match of the Day and World Cup 2006. Two other songs from this album, "Don't Come Running/I Sat Down" were released as a double A-side single. The band also released a double 7" single with UK Indie bandThe Magic Numbers . HAL contributed their song "Keep Love As Your Golden Rule" to this single. They also contributed their cover of John Lennon's "Mind Games" for a Q Magazine special CD in October 2005.After a short tour through England, Ireland, Europe and Japan, the band went back into the studio at the end of2005 . Their highly anticipated second album was expected to be released in2008 .Awards
*"The Irish Post Best Newcomer Award
2005 "*"European Border Breakers Award
2006 ", awarded by the European Commission in Cannes in January2006 *"Best Irish Album of
2005 " in the Irish Independent
*"Nr.1 album van2005 " in French music magazine MAGIC
*"One of the albums of2005 " in Mojo and UncutNominations
*"Choice Award
2005 " in Ireland. HAL played live at the award show inDublin *"Best Irish Band of
2005 " at the Irish Music AwardsDiscography
Albums
*"Hal" (
2005 )ingles
*"Worry About The Wind" (26-04-2004)
*"What A Lovely Dance" (24-01-2005)
*"Play The Hits" (11-04-2005)
*"Don't Come Running/I Sat Down" (15-08-2005)External links
* [http://www.halmusic.com/ Official Website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/hal Official Myspace Page]
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