Damien Rice is an Irish musician born in Kildare near Dublin in the early 1970s. He has had several hit singles in Ireland and Great Britain, achieving some measure of popularity. His song "Cannonball" was a moderate hit in the United States. He has often toured with The Frames, among others and has appeared on several late night American shows, including David Letterman (06/13/2003, 14/04/2004), Jay Leno (07/10/2003, 03/12/2004), Carson Daly (15/09/2003) as well as Conan O'Brien (22/07/2003).

His band comprises of Lisa Hannigan (Backing Vocals), Vyvienne Long (Cello), Tomo (Drums) and Shane Fitzsimons (Bass), while Damien himself plays guitar and sings.

Rice was also part of an act called Juniper who managed to get a big record deal with Polygram, and released the singles The World Is Dead and Weatherman. Unfortunately, due to contractual agreements, the band was not allowed to create any albums, and so Rice eventually left the band but the remains of Juniper became Bell X1 .

In both 2003 and 2004 he played Glastonbury festival, with the first performance arguably giving him his first notable recognition in Britain.

In 2003, he won the Shortlist Music Prize.

His songs "The Blower's Daughter" and "Cold Water" were featured on the 2004 Mike Nichols film Closer.

He appeared on the new Tori Amos album The Beekeeper, released on February 22, 2005, on the song "The Power of Orange Knickers."

Discography

Albums

• O (2003) #8 UK, #133 US
• Woman Like A Man (EP) (2003)
• B-Sides (EP) (2004)

Hit singles

• 2003 "Cannonball" #32 UK
• 2004 "Cannonball" (re-issue) #19 UK
• 2004 "The Blower's Daughter" #27 UK

External links

• Offical website