Hozier says Chilly Gonzales has apologised for song remarks

Canadian musician suggested Hozier’s ‘Take Me to Church’ was similar to Feist song

Irish singer Hozier says he has received an apology from Canadian musician Chilly Gonzales who last week pointed out similarities between Hozier's Take Me to Church and Feist's How Come You Never Go There.

Writing on his official Facebook page on Monday, Hozier said:

“There has been some talk in the press of legal action and I’d like to clarify my position... What was sought from my end was an apology and redaction of an unfair inferral.

There has been some talk in the press of legal action and I'd like to clarify my position and the goings-on of the past...

Posted by Hozier on Monday, October 5, 2015

"This has been issued by Jason Beck (Chilly Gonzales), which I very much appreciate. I will continue to follow and respect his work and look forward to moving on from this issue."

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Leslie Feist is a Canadian indie pop singer who released her single How Come You Never Go There in 2011 off the album Metals.

Hozier had previously stated his admiration for Feist, telling the American Songwriter magazine in 2014 that he has “always been a huge Leslie Feist fan.”

Chilly Gonzales is listed as playing piano on that Fiest track and is a regular collaborator with the Canadian singer.

Last week, a Youtube video emerged of Gonzales dissecting the two songs, commenting on the coincidence that both tunes used “sad chords” and “slow triple time”. That video has since been removed.

Stating that there had been “some talk in the press of legal action” Hozier wrote in his statement that he would like to ensure the gossip did not run “unchecked”.

Signing off, he added: “Jason Beck (Chilly Gonzales) has been co-operative and understanding, and there are no hard feelings on my part.”

Niamh Towey

Niamh Towey

Niamh Towey is an Irish Times journalist