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| Hozier | |
|---|---|
| Name | Hozier |
| Birth name | Andrew John Hozier-Byrne |
| Birth date | 1990-03-17 |
| Birth place | County Wicklow, Republic of Ireland |
| Genres | Blues, Soul, Indie rock, Folk |
| Occupations | Singer-songwriter, musician |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, piano |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Labels | Columbia Records, Rubyworks Records |
Hozier is an Irish singer-songwriter and musician known for blending blues and soul with folk and indie rock influences. Rising to international prominence with the 2013 single "Take Me to Church", they achieved critical and commercial success across Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Their work frequently engages with literary, religious, and social themes and has earned multiple industry awards and nominations.
Born Andrew John Hozier-Byrne in County Wicklow, Republic of Ireland, they are the child of a musical family with exposure to traditional Irish music and contemporary rock music. Hozier attended St. Joseph's National School (local education institutions in County Wicklow), later studying at Arklow Community College and enrolling at Trinity College Dublin to study music. Their formative years included participation in local choirs and performances in venues around Dublin, as well as exposure to recordings and performances by artists associated with Blue Note Records, Chess Records, and classic Motown catalogues. Early collaborations and gigging in pubs and at festivals in Ireland and the United Kingdom helped establish connections with promoters, producers and independent labels such as Rubyworks Records.
Hozier's professional breakthrough came after independent releases and touring across Ireland and the United Kingdom. The 2013 single "Take Me to Church" became a global hit following viral exposure on platforms used by artists associated with YouTube, BBC Radio 1, and Spotify. The track earned widespread radio play from broadcasters including BBC Radio 2 and Sirius XM and charted on the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart. Their self-titled debut studio album, released by Columbia Records and Rubyworks Records, consolidated success with a mix of singles, promotional appearances on programs such as The Late Show with David Letterman and tours supporting acts and headlining venues across North America and Europe. Subsequent releases included the EP From Eden and later full-length albums that charted internationally, followed by headline tours and festival appearances at events like Glastonbury Festival, Lollapalooza, and Coachella. Collaborations and session work involved producers and artists connected to labels and studios in Los Angeles, Nashville, Tennessee, and London.
Hozier's music draws on a wide array of sources, including gospel, rhythm and blues, soul, folk, and rock. Influences cited in interviews and press include artists and songwriters from the catalogs of Leonard Cohen, Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell, Aretha Franklin, Billie Holiday, Nick Cave, and Curtis Mayfield. The arrangements reference instrumentation and production techniques associated with Muscle Shoals Sound Studio sessions, Stax Records recordings, and contemporary indie producers with credits on records by acts such as Florence and the Machine and Arctic Monkeys. Live performances emphasize vocal dynamics and guitar work, often recalling traditions linked to blues-rock and acoustic singer-songwriter repertoires.
Lyrically, Hozier often interweaves imagery drawn from Christianity, classical literature, Irish mythology, and modern political discourse. Songs explore love, desire, spirituality, social justice, and human frailty, engaging references to texts and themes familiar to readers of Dante Alighieri, William Butler Yeats, and Seamus Heaney. Critics have compared the songwriting to the narrative depth of Nick Cave and the poeticism of Leonard Cohen while noting influences from contemporary peers on indie and alternative charts such as The National and Radiohead. Reception among publications including Rolling Stone, NME, The Guardian, and Pitchfork has ranged from praise for vocal delivery and lyricism to critique of pacing and production choices; nonetheless, major awards bodies and chart metrics reflect broad popular acclaim. The song "Take Me to Church" was widely discussed in the context of LGBT rights movements and human rights advocacy, prompting coverage in outlets like The New York Times and The Washington Post.
Studio albums: - Hozier (debut) — released on Columbia Records, featuring singles including "Take Me to Church", "From Eden", and "Someone New". - Subsequent albums charting in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States; work with producers and session musicians connected to studios in Nashville, Los Angeles, and London.
Selected EPs and singles: - From Eden (EP) - Nina Cried Power (single and title track featuring guest artists) - Additional singles impacting charts on Billboard and Official Charts Company listings, with streaming milestones on services such as Spotify and Apple Music.
Compilation appearances, live recordings, and soundtrack contributions have appeared alongside placements in television series and films distributed by companies such as Netflix and HBO.
Major nominations and awards include recognition from the Grammy Awards, nominations and wins at the Irish Music Television Awards and Meteor Music Awards equivalents, as well as honors from organizations and ceremonies including MTV Video Music Awards and BRIT Awards categories. Chart achievements include platinum and multi-platinum certifications from certification bodies such as the RIAA in the United States and the BPI in the United Kingdom.
Outside music, Hozier has engaged with advocacy related to LGBT rights and support for nonprofit organizations and campaigns addressing issues in Ireland and internationally. They have participated in benefit concerts and lent visibility to causes associated with organizations like Amnesty International, Human Rights Campaign, and local arts and heritage initiatives linked to cultural institutions in Dublin and County Wicklow. Personal collaborations, interviews, and public statements have connected them with peers and activists from the worlds of music and social campaigns, and their public profile includes commentary on artistic influences and cultural heritage.
Category:Irish singer-songwriters