Hozier is a throwback, who is one of the most stylish rockers on the circuit. That's evident with a glance at the striking cover art for each of his albums. His eponymous breakthrough release features a faceless Hozier with a sliver of the ocean replacing his eyes, nose and mouth. The aquatic theme also had an impact on his 2019 album, "Wasteland, Baby!". Hozier aka Andrew Hozier Byrne, is sitting at the bottom of a pool.
"You can thank my mother for those covers," Hozier said while calling from Los Angeles. "The first album is a painting my mother made. We did a photoshoot in a pool with the second one. I like the concept of being under water."
Hozier, 35, will be performing by the water when he headlines Saturday, September 13 at the Sea. Hear. Now festival at the Asbury Park Beach. Hozier is a throwback when it comes to music as well. That was evident with the release of his breakthrough "Take Me to Church," which was released in 2013. The brooding soulful rocker caught fire virally and led to a recording contract and a 2015 Grammy nomination.
"I couldn't believe how that song took off," Hozier said. "But then again I don't believe in a lot of things."
What Hozier means is that he doesn't believe the hype. After his eponymous album was released it went straight to the top of the charts in Ireland and made noise in America.
"I think the thing about being Irish is that you don't believe your own bullcrap," Hozier said. "When the going is good, you don't buy what all these people are blowing up your butt."
Hozier points to his fellow countrymen, the iconic U2, who have mastered taking the air out of the hype machine. "They couldn't have accomplished what they have if they bought into what people say," Hozier said. "Believe it or not Bono is still a regular guy here. All I want is to be that and make music."
Hozier took a hiatus after his initial tour. Hozier didn't care about keeping the momentum going. "When the tour ended I needed to decompress," Hozier recalled. "I went to the Irish countryside for a year just to live life. I caught up with friends and family. I went swimming in the sea and cleared my head."
That places Hozier in the minority since most of his peers, who have tasted success, will continue to grind. "That's just not me," Hozier said.
Hozier tunes are typically poignant, sardonic and at times sensual. Hozier infuses a spirituality into his rock ala U2.
"You're listening to what came from a blank canvas," Hozier said.
What appears on that canvas has attracted a large fan base. Hozier sold out amphitheaters throughout the country during his summer tour. There was a time when Hozier talked about playing out on the avenues.
Will fans have a chance to see Hozier busk on the streets? "If you want to see someone busk, don't look for me, look for Bono," Hozier says. "Nobody really talks about it much but Bono busks along the Main Street of Dublin pretty much every Christmas Eve. I love him. Bono is a real dude. But it is surreal seeing him play on the street. But that's what it's about when you're an Irishman. You're part of the people no matter how successful you become."
And then there is the Hozier style. Hozier, unlike the diminutive Bono, is a tall, lanky dude, so clothes look terrific draped over his enviable frame. Hozier possesses an impressive array of jackets and on top of that, he has charisma to burn. "I enjoy all of this," Hozier said. "I enjoy getting dressed for shows and I just love creating and recording music. I couldn't be more fortunate."
"I think the thing about being Irish is that you don't believe your own bullcrap."