ANDREW HOZIER-BYRNE: WICKLOW, IRELAND
What are the Twenty First Century Blues? And who shall we find to sing them?
From trivial first world problems to the seismic shifts in geopolitics, the modern Blues resonate down the years with the same eternal themes – loss, loneliness, longing and regret. New wine in vintage casks.
Born on St. Patrick’s Day and hailing from County Wicklow, Hozier was raised on the building blocks of popular music: rhythm and blues, soul, jazz and the deep dark stuff stretching from Chicago to the Delta. He joined his first band when he was 15 years old, fronting a soul band with some older heads. Taught himself to play guitar and piano, and went to Trinity College to study music. Whilst there, he bagged a seat on the flight deck of the symphonic B-52 that is the Trinity Orchestra, fronting their missions into the world of classic rock.
However, four years looked like a long stretch, particularly when the goal was to write, record and perform his own music; so Hozier dropped out to concentrate his talents on the creative process full time. He tried out with a few different producers in various studios, experimented with genres; but never felt happy with the results. Home is where the art is, and a simple studio, set up in the attic proved to be the crucible where Hozier would forge a musical identity he could call his own. A place where Stevie Wonder and Billie Holiday are revered alongside James Joyce and Oscar Wilde.
He says: “Listen to any song, from any era; and you’re looking through a keyhole into the artist’s world as seen through their eyes. Art is, in it’s simplest form, the reproduction of the world around us. All artists reproduce their vision of the world, and in doing so create a document that reflects the times they live in”. Which brings us back to the Twenty First Century Blues, and Hozier’s unique, poetic evocations.
‘Babe There is something lonesome about you, something so wholesome about you, get closer to me.’
Those lyrics seem to define the very essence of whom Hozier is and what your heart can not deny he was simply born to do.
Genuine in his interactions and respectful of all those that work with him he is a thoughtful young man that makes you want to see him succeed to great heights yet never lose what makes him who he is.
Hozier delivered a show that grabbed you from the first note of, ‘Angel of Small Death & the Codeine Scene’ and held you just there until he bid farewell 90 minutes later. His ensemble was comfortable in his washed out jean jacket and his blue flannel with black boots that are on an incredible journey around the world. But it isn’t these things that matter it is the smile that will never grow old and the life in his eyes full of stories yet to be told. He stands tall at the pulpit while his music and undemanding presence command you to sit up and partake with the choir in all the splendour and love of his congregation.
Andrew Hozier-Byrne makes it all appear effortless delivering his own kind of cool with a trustworthy show free of dirty words and washing you clean with his rhythm and lyrics that will not fail you. His ticket is worth it’s weight in gold and we look forward to all the good memories in music and want to say thank you Hozier for making us believers in singing from the heart.
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