Sean O'Hagan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sean O'Hagan
O'Hagan performing in 2011
Background information
Born	1959 (age 65–66) Luton, England
Genres	Pop electronic
Instruments	Vocals, synthesizers, guitar
Years active	1980–present
Associated acts	The High Llamas, Stereolab, Tim Gane, Turn On, Microdisney

Sean O'Hagan, born in 1959, is an Irish musician. He is a singer and songwriter. He leads a band called The High Llamas, which he started in 1992. Sean is also known for being part of the songwriting team for the band Microdisney, where he worked with Cathal Coughlan. In the early 1990s, he also played with the English-French band Stereolab.

Sean O'Hagan's Musical Journey

Sean O'Hagan was born in England. His parents were Irish. When he was a teenager, his family moved to Cork, Ireland.

Starting with Microdisney

Sean was a founding member of the Irish indie band Microdisney. He started this band with Cathal Coughlan. The band first formed in Cork. However, they moved to London in 1982 and stayed there until they split up in 1988.

The High Llamas and Other Projects

In 1990, Sean released a solo album. He called it High Llamas. This name later became the name of the band he formed. The High Llamas were inspired by famous groups like The Beach Boys and composers like Ennio Morricone and Antonio Carlos Jobim. They also liked experimental electronic music.

Sean has worked a lot with the band Stereolab. He was an official member of Stereolab from 1993 to 1994. He also appeared as a guest musician on their later albums.

In 1996, Sean O'Hagan worked with Tim Gane from Stereolab. They formed a project called Turn On. They released an album with the same name. They also created music for a film called La Vie d'Artiste.

In 2017, it was announced that Sean O'Hagan and Cathal Coughlan would bring Microdisney back together for a special concert. This concert happened in Dublin on June 2, 2018. The tickets sold out quickly. They then played more shows in Cork and London. Sadly, Cathal Coughlan passed away in 2022.

Almost Working with The Beach Boys

In the mid-1990s, Brian Wilson from The Beach Boys was planning a new album. He was working with his friend Andy Paley. Another Beach Boys member, Bruce Johnston, heard The High Llamas' album Hawaii in 1996. He thought Sean O'Hagan would be great to work with Brian Wilson. They tried to arrange a collaboration, but it didn't happen.

Some songs that later appeared on The High Llamas' 1998 album, Cold and Bouncy, were briefly considered for The Beach Boys to record.

Sean O'Hagan said that Brian Wilson's wife, Melinda, and a producer named Joe Thomas caused problems. Joe Thomas ended up producing Brian Wilson's 1998 solo album, Imagination. Sean believed Brian Wilson's music was best as unique, experimental pop. However, Joe Thomas wanted Brian to make music that was more popular for adults.

Sean said he met Brian Wilson once and The Beach Boys twice. But Brian Wilson's team and the other Beach Boys couldn't agree. Sean shared a story about Brian Wilson:

I didn't go out of my way to meet Brian, and I wouldn't have wanted to. I'm happy enough to have been influenced by [him] [...] He's not mad, but [...] I asked him what sort of record he wanted to make and told him he could have strings and brass, and I was witness to him running around his house shouting "Too much!" and "You're blowing my mind!" over and over.

Brian Wilson later wrote on his website that Sean was "a real sweet guy." But he felt he didn't need Sean to show him how to do things he had already done years ago. Bruce Johnston thought Brian might have felt a little intimidated by Sean.

Sean O'Hagan's Music Albums

Studio Albums and Soundtracks

• High Llamas (1990)
• La Vie d'artiste (2007) (with Tim Gane)
• The Musical Paintings Volume 1 (2008) (with Jean Pierre Muller)
• Copacabana (2010) (with Tim Gane)
• Radum Calls, Radum Calls (2019)
• Hey Panda (2024)

Stereolab Albums with Sean O'Hagan

Other Music Appearances

• Cornelius – Fantasma (1998)
• Cornelius – FM (1999)
• The Heavy Blinkers – Health (2013)