Hozier

Born on March 17, 1990, in Newcastle, Ireland, Andrew John Hozier-Byrne is in many ways a child of his country's rich musical tradition. The influence of folk music is particularly evident in his expressive guitar playing. His father played drums in a jazz and blues band in the evenings, and Hozier was deeply influenced by this. As a teenager, he sang in a school choir, which gave him a love of gospel. It can therefore be no coincidence that his first single was titled "Take Me To Church." The singer, guitarist, and songwriter also enjoys more contemporary music, such as that of Daft Punk and The Stereophonics. His 2014 debut, "Hozier," was a global success, topping the British and Irish album charts and reaching the top 10 in America. In 2015, "Take Me To Church" was nominated for "Song of the Year" at the ^57th Annual Grammy Awards. At the event, he performed it with former Eurythmics singer Annie Lennox. Hozier proves his staying power with the successful albums Wasteland, Baby! (2019) and Unreal Unearth (2023), consistently garnering widespread acclaim for his songs, lyrics, and passionate delivery. Hozier recognizes that blues and folk are traditions in which protest against injustice plays a vital role. The singer regularly criticizes the church's stance on the LGBTQ community. Following the death of George Floyd, he donated the proceeds from the protest song "Jackboot Jump" to the NAACP and Black Lives Matter. During his performances, he also regularly raises awareness of the injustices in the world. Hozier has always remained mindful of his roots. In interviews, he frequently states that he counts soul singer Aretha Franklin, country legend Johnny Cash, and folk hero Woody Guthrie among his greatest role models. Their legacy seems to be in good hands with him.