MUSIC-BRITAIN/HOZIER Grammy nominee Hozier: People assume I'm gay but sexuality 'doesn't come into it'

Record ID: 630986

  • Title: MUSIC-BRITAIN/HOZIER Grammy nominee Hozier: People assume I'm gay but sexuality 'doesn't come into it'
  • Date: 2nd February 2015
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) HOZIER, SAYING: "You really get a re-charge when you play a show and you feed off that energy and you know, you kind of remember, when you see somebody else enjoying your work too it kind of reminds you of what you might have enjoyed once (laughs). That sounds bleak but that's not what I mean." VARIOUS OF HOZIER SIGN ON EXTERIOR OF VENUE PEOPLE QUEUI
  • Embargoed: 17th February 2015 12:00
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  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA79TNNPPTLURAZ3V1PM9PBN5B7
  • Story Text: Grammy-nominated Irish singer-songwriter Hozier says people assume he's gay because of his anti-Catholic church anthem "Take me to Church" and the hugely successful viral anti-homophobia video which accompanies it.
    In the United States the song, written following a break-up with a girlfriend, reached number 2, and currently sits in the same position in the UK singles chart.
    It may also win song of the year at the Grammys next Sunday, when Hozier is scheduled to perform with Annie Lennox.
    The "Take me to Church" video, which has attracted nearly 100 million YouTube views, depicts two men intimately kissing before they're attacked by a homophobic mob.
    "Yes people do make that assumption (that I am gay), which is fine, but for me I don't think it's the point, you know what I mean. It doesn't come into it what my sexual orientation is," he said.
    "Regardless of the sexual orientation behind a relationship, it is still a relationship and still love...So people are free to make any assumption they want (laughs), it's grand," he added.
    On Sunday (February 1) he performed the second of two sold-out gigs at London's Shepherds Bush Empire, which have won high praise from critics, and received five star reviews in the British newspapers The Times and Independent.
    As well as the Grammy nomination, Hozier, whose full name is Andrew Hozier-Byrne, is also in contention for International Male Solo Artist at this year's BRIT Awards.
    "I am still kind of in awe of what's been going on this last year and the opportunities that I have been lucky enough to have. The Grammys coming up and the Brits and stuff so I am thrilled, I really am excited," he said, speaking backstage at the London venue.
    "I wouldn't be a red carpet kind of guy...but it's really wonderful to be nominated, I recognise the prestige of that and I am really really thrilled, really excited."
    Though he described his current schedule as 'hectic', he said playing for fans revived him.
    "You really get a re-charge when you play a show and you feed off that energy and you know, you kind of remember, when you see somebody else enjoying your work too it kind of reminds you of what you might have enjoyed once," he said.
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