Patrick - Liam O’Maonlai       Best known as the lead singer/pianist for the Irish band, Hothouse Flowers, Liam has also enjoyed a concurrent career as a traditional Irish musician and singer. Indeed, much of the Flowers’ appeal has been based on their passion for and commitment to fusing their Irish heritage with rock, pop, soul and world music influences – a passion and commitment that has informed most of Liam’s musical life. Liam’s free spirit has taken him into many collaborations – from Irish musicians (Sharon Shannon, Mary Black, Maire Breatnach, The Waterboys, Donal Lunny, Luka Bloom) to musicians in other world traditions: Joe Higgs [the “Godfather of Reggae”], Yothu Yindi, Carlos Nunez, the Kodo Drummers, Carly Simon, Indigo Girls, Goanna, Ron Wood [Rolling Stones], Def Leppard, the Aboriginal singers of the White Cockatoo, and groups from West Papua, to name a few. He formed a band (ALT) with Andy White and Tim Finn (Split Endz, Crowded House) in Australia; put out a record and toured the world. He’s done music for film (Waking Ned Devine), hosted TV shows on Irish Culture, acted in the movie, Timbuktu, and has been part of several projects linking the roots of country music to its Irish roots (The Irish Gala, PBS), sharing the stage with such luminaries as Emmylou Harris and Steve Earle. Liam has just recorded an album, Rian, with producer John Reynolds (U2, Sinead O’Connor, Bjork, Indigo Girls).