The Gospel-Inspired, Blues-Infused Music of Irish Musician, Hozier
The 24-year-old Irish singer-songwriter Hozier (born Andrew Hozier-Bryne) definitely caught my attention recently. His gospel-inspired, blues-infused music, paired with his unique and raspy vocals, instantly made me want more. And with his self-titled album "Hozier", I was able to get just that! (Listen here on Spotify) What I didn't expect to discover was how deep and passionate his message for equality and love truely lies.
Last year, he released his video for, "Take Me to Church" and although the song (and album) have been released for quite some time now, his popularity is just now starting to steamroll it's way onto music-lovers' radars all over the States. Whether listeners realize it or not, the song sends a strong message about human rights as the video shows two men embracing, followed by brutal gay-bashing by masked vigilantes - all while the lyrics of "I was born sick, but I love it / command me to be well / Amen. Amen. Amen." played over the video.
In a recent interview with NY Mag's The Cut, Hozier explains a bit more about the meaning behind his "Take Me to Church" video:
"Well, it's about sex and it's about humanity, and obviously sex and humanity are incredibly tied. Sexuality, and sexual orientation — regardless of orientation — is just natural. An act of sex is one of the most human things. But an organization like the church, say, through its doctrine, would undermine humanity by successfully teaching shame about sexual orientation — that it is sinful, or that it offends God. The song is about asserting yourself and reclaiming your humanity through an act of love. Turning your back on the theoretical thing, something that's not tangible, and choosing to worship or love something that is tangible and real — something that can be experienced.
But it's not an attack on faith. Coming from Ireland, obviously, there's a bit of a cultural hangover from the influence of the church. You've got a lot of people walking around with a heavy weight in their hearts and a disappointment, and that shit carries from generation to generation. So the song is just about that — it's an assertion of self, reclaiming humanity back for something that is the most natural and worthwhile. Electing, in this case a female, to choose a love who is worth loving."
Images by Dara Munnis.
Hozier is currently on tour and I just happen to have tickets to his show, TONIGHT (October 16, 2014) at The Cathedral Sanctuary at Immanuel Presbyterian in Los Angeles, CA. I, for one, can't wait to hear this controversial song in a real church (and maybe swoon a bit over his sexy, untamed hair.)
What do you think about this song? Let us know in the comments below
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lindsay Vacek has a passion for style, details and design. As a Fashion Editorial Photographer, she's worked in the Entertainment Industry for over 10 years and has a love for adventure and travel. She spends her spare time globe-trotting her way through foreign countries and loves new cultures, food, music and the arts.
Being a California Native, Lindsay loves meeting new people and sharing her version of life with others. With an infinite list of things-to-do, places-to-go and sights-to-see - she believe everyone can have a little more California in their own lives.