Hozier

Andrew John Hozier-Byrne, born March 17, 1990 in Bray, Ireland, is an Irish singer, composer, and guitarist. His music blends folk, soul, and blues with literary and political themes, delivered in a baritone that feels both ancient and urgent. He is known for his breakout single Take Me to Church, a haunting critique of homophobia that became a global anthem. His self-titled debut album went multi-platinum worldwide, and subsequent releases like Wasteland, Baby! and Unreal Unearth have topped charts internationally. His 2024 single Too Sweet became his first number-one hit in the US, UK, and Ireland. In 2025, Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people. His music often explores themes of love, mortality, and social justice, earning him a reputation as a poet of protest. He is known for his distinctive baritone voice, acoustic guitar work, and sharp lyrical depth. As of 2026, he is working on his fourth studio album and remains a prominent figure in alternative and indie music.[edit]

Hozier grew up in a musical household in Bray, County Wicklow. His father John Byrne was a blues drummer, and his mother Raine Hozier-Byrne was a visual artist. He attended St. Gerard's School in Bray and later studied music at Trinity College Dublin, where he was a member of the university's choral scholars program. He sang with the choir group Anúna, which deepened his vocal training. He left college in his second year to pursue music full-time, recording demos and performing at Dublin open-mic nights. His early musical influences included blues, soul, and folk artists such as Muddy Waters, Lead Belly, and Nina Simone. A pivotal moment came when he uploaded Take Me to Church to YouTube in 2013; the video went viral, leading to a record deal with Rubyworks Records and Island Records. His first public performance of original material was at the 2013 Electric Picnic festival, where he played Take Me to Church to a small crowd. The song's viral success on YouTube and Reddit catapulted him to international attention before any formal album release. He once worked as a fishmonger in Bray before his music career took off.[edit]

In 2013, Hozier released Take Me to Church as his debut single; it reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified multi-platinum in multiple countries. His self-titled debut album Hozier followed in 2014, going 6x platinum in Ireland and multi-platinum in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. He performed at major festivals including Glastonbury, Coachella, and Lollapalooza in 2015, and received a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Song for Take Me to Church. In 2018, he released the EP Nina Cried Power, whose title track topped Billboard's Adult Alternative Songs chart. His second studio album Wasteland, Baby! debuted at number one on both the Irish Albums Chart and the Billboard 200 in 2019, going gold in the US. In 2022, he collaborated with composer Bear McCreary on Blood Upon the Snow for the video game God of War: Ragnarök. His third studio album Unreal Unearth was released in 2023, topping charts in Ireland and the UK. In 2024, he released the EP Unheard, which spawned Too Sweet; the song became his first number-one single in Ireland, the US (Billboard Hot 100), and the UK. In 2025, he was named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world. He completed a world tour in support of Unreal Unearth in early 2025, and in March 2026 performed at South by Southwest, debuting two new songs. He is working on his fourth studio album, planned for late 2026, and is involved in a documentary about Irish folk music set for release in 2027.[edit]

Hozier's public image is that of a thoughtful, introspective artist who blends folk, soul, and blues with sharp political and literary themes. His signature style includes a baritone voice, acoustic guitar, and often a suit or button-down shirt on stage. The media portrays him as a poet of protest and a voice for the voiceless. His fandom is known informally as the Hozier Horde (unofficial). Fan culture includes deep analysis of his lyrics, sharing of live recordings, and participation in social justice causes he supports. His social media voice is earnest, often sharing political commentary, behind-the-scenes content, and humorous posts. He has been featured on covers of Rolling Stone (February 2015), Time (April 2025), GQ UK (March 2019), Vanity Fair Italy (June 2024), and NME (October 2023).[edit]

The Hozier fanbase is defined not by organized campaigns or chaotic street shutdowns, but by a collective, quiet reverence for the artist's lyrical depth and emotional resonance. While often informally called the Hozier Horde in online spaces, there is no single official name adopted by the community; instead, fans gather organically in digital corners like r/Hozier to dissect lyrics and share live recordings with a scholar-like devotion. This audience connects deeply with Hozier's reputation as a humanist figure, finding comfort in his "autumnal" persona and his consistent practice of honoring musical lineage rather than seeking celebrity status. Unlike many peers, he rarely engages in traditional fan service, preferring moments of genuine connection that feel personal rather than performative. The narrative surrounding his legacy is built on high-caliber collaborations with icons like Mavis Staples and Bruce Springsteen, creating a mythology of artistic integrity where fans act as custodians of his message rather than cheerleaders for chart positions. Despite this lack of formal structure, the sheer scale of his reach is undeniable, driven by listeners who treat his music as a spiritual anchor. This global attention places Hozier firmly within the upper echelons of contemporary fame according to the iFANN Global Fame Rankings. He is currently the 9th most famous person from Ireland, a standing he has held steady through recent cycles. These placements reflect a career trajectory that balances critical acclaim with massive commercial success across multiple continents.[edit]

Andrew John Hozier-Byrne shortened his surname to create his stage name, a choice that now carries more weight than his legal identity. A tattoo of a bird adorns his left forearm, inspired by a line from Seamus Heaney, reflecting his deep literary roots alongside his training as a choral singer with the Trinity College Dublin Choral Scholars. His breakout hit Take Me to Church was crafted in an attic in Bray using only a single microphone and a laptop, a humble beginning for a song that became a global anthem for LGBTQ+ rights. He stands 6 feet 5 inches tall and is a devoted supporter of the Irish football team, having performed at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. His accolades include the Ivor Novello Award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically for Take Me to Church in 2015, the Choice Music Prize for Album of the Year in 2014, and the Dolby Award for Best Original Song for Blood Upon the Snow in 2023. Collaborators have ranged from Mavis Staples to Bear McCreary, highlighting his versatility. As of early 2026, his social media presence spans millions across platforms, including 4.8 million on Instagram and 2.1 million on YouTube. Recent years have woven new threads into his legend, particularly through his role as a unifying figure in the folk and soul communities. In March 2026, he joined Mavis Staples, Elvis Costello, and Warren Haynes to sing The Weight during the Love Rocks NYC event, a moment fans still cite as a defining instance of generational bridge-building. Later that year, he recorded a tribute album for Shane MacGowan alongside Jessie Buckley and Bruce Springsteen, further cementing his status among the pantheon of Irish musical icons. His emotional tribute to Glen Hansard in July 2026 also remains a cherished story among those who value his kindness and respect for his peers.[edit]

Hozier's father John Byrne was a blues drummer, and his mother Raine Hozier-Byrne was a visual artist. He has described his upbringing as creative but not religious. He has one sibling, a sister named Riona. As of 2026, he is not married and has no children. He owns a home in Bray, Ireland, and an apartment in London. He has a dog named Lucy, a rescue from a local shelter.[edit]

Hozier has collaborated with composer Bear McCreary on Blood Upon the Snow, and with Mavis Staples on Nina Cried Power. He has featured Brandi Carlile and Alison Krauss on various tracks. He was a member of the choir group Anúna during his time at Trinity College. His labels include Rubyworks Records and Island Records.[edit]

Hozier's dating history includes several rumored and confirmed relationships. From 2013 to 2016, he dated Canadian photographer and writer Megan MacKenzie, whom he met through mutual friends in Dublin; the relationship ended amicably. In 2015–2016, there were public rumors of a brief fling with Florence Welch of Florence + the Machine, after they were seen together at festivals and in Dublin; neither party confirmed. In 2018, rumors surfaced with Alana Haim of the band Haim after they were photographed together at a dinner in Los Angeles; again unconfirmed. From 2018 to 2019, rumors linked him to Irish actress Saoirse Ronan after they were spotted together at a Dublin event and later at a New York dinner; neither confirmed. In 2019, brief speculation arose around Kristen Stewart after they were photographed together at a music festival. As of 2026, Hozier is reportedly single with no public relationships confirmed since 2019. He has no known children.[edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Hozier's net worth stands at $10 Million as of 2026, with estimates ranging between $8 million and $12 million. This financial standing is primarily fueled by his extensive catalog of music sales, streaming royalties, and lucrative touring ventures. His Wasteland, Baby! tour generated over $20 million globally, while the Unreal Unearth tour spanning 2023–2024 contributed an estimated $15 million in revenue. Commercial partnerships include an undisclosed agreement with Fender Guitars and a notable campaign with the Irish whiskey brand Jameson in 2022. Beyond his primary income streams, he holds a stake in the independent label Rubyworks. His real estate portfolio includes a residence in his hometown of Bray, Ireland, and an apartment in London, with no other major business ventures or production companies publicly documented.[edit]

Hozier has won several prestigious awards, including the Ivor Novello Award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically for Take Me to Church (2015), the BBC Music Award for Song of the Year (2014), and the Choice Music Prize for Album of the Year for Hozier (2014). He has also won multiple Irish Music Awards, Meteor Music Awards, and an International Songwriting Competition Grand Prize. In 2023, he won a Dolby Award and a Game Audio Network Guild Award for Best Original Song for Blood Upon the Snow.[edit]