Hozier, a singer-songwriter known for his introspective lyrics and soulful music, discusses his approach to songwriting, the inspiration behind the music video for 'Take Me to Church', the fear and vulnerability of sharing personal songs, the contrast between his onstage energy and offstage persona, the enjoyment of music without connection, and his future goals in music.
Hozier finds solace in abstracting personal themes into music, creating a character or persona through which he can express his thoughts and experiences.
Despite writing about intense and sometimes painful subjects, Hozier aims to create work that is enjoyable and leaves a lasting impact, even if people don't fully grasp the depth of his lyrics.
Deep dives
Hosea's Journey as a Musician
Hosea, the best-selling singer-songwriter, reflects on his journey from being an unsigned artist to gaining recognition for his impactful music. The discussion revolves around his first hit single, 'Take Me to Church,' and the importance of the music video in conveying a powerful message about homophobia and solidarity. Despite being an introverted person, Hosea expresses his passion for writing songs that explore both personal and societal themes, often focusing on the darker side of life. He believes in the power of music to connect with people, even if they don't fully grasp the deeper meaning behind the lyrics.
Finding Catharsis through Songwriting
Hosea discusses how songwriting serves as a cathartic process for him. He explains that writing songs allows him to explore and understand emotions and experiences that may be difficult to discuss in everyday life. Hosea finds solace in abstracting personal themes into music, creating a character or persona through which he can express his thoughts and experiences. While singing his songs to an audience may not be his favorite part, hearing others sing his lyrics back to him reaffirms the impact of his music and creates a connection between artist and listener.
Balancing Serious and Lighthearted Themes
Hosea delves into his songwriting process, highlighting the balance between serious and lighthearted themes. While he often writes about intense and sometimes painful subjects such as shame, social issues, and the state of the world, he also acknowledges the allure of creating infectious melodies and enjoyable music. Hosea believes that even if people don't fully grasp the depth of his lyrics, the fact that they connect with the melodies and enjoy the music itself is a positive outcome. He aims to create work that is meaningful and leaves a lasting impact, even after he is gone.
The Evolution of Hosea as an Artist
As Hosea prepares to release his second album, he reflects on how he has grown as an artist. He discusses the changing political and environmental landscape that influenced his songwriting, referencing the concept of the Doomsday Clock as an inspiration for some of the album's themes. While the songs on the new record touch on darker scenarios, Hosea maintains a sense of hope and seeks to evoke the warm center of humanity during challenging times. He emphasizes the importance of leaving behind a body of work that resonates with people and creates a positive and lasting impact.
Hozier makes you think. It's in his lyrics, in his music... even his music videos. So it's no surprise to find out that he spends a long time thinking about how he writes and performs his chart-busting songs.
In this chat with Fearne, Hozier describes his approach to songwriting, how indecision can sometimes be his downfall, and why performing doesn't come naturally to him.
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