Damien Rice

Damien Rice (born 7 December 1973) is an Irish singer-songwriter, musician and record producer. He plays guitar, piano, clarinet and percussion. Some call his music Brit-pop (British pop music) but he says his music is alternative rock. He is known as a singer and song writer who wrote sad but beautiful songs for on popular movie and television programs. "The Blower's Daughter" is his representative song. It was used in the 2004 move "Closer". His music is often used in ice skating. Recently, Rice was given "special thanks" in the end credits of the Academy Award winning 2007 Irish musical movie "Once". The movie starred fellow Irish musician Glen Hansard.
He was born 7 December 1973 and raised in Celbridge, County Kildare Ireland. Before he started his own solo-career, he was a member of the rock band "Jupiter" which later became Bell X1. In this band, he released 2 singles and 1 album. However, Rice became disenchanted with the label and left the band to pursue a solo career. When he start his own career, he form a band with new members. For example, Lisa Hannigan is famous for featuring Damien Rice's songs like "Cold water", "9 crimes" and so on.
So far, he has released two studio albums: "O" in 2002, and "9" in 2006. And he also has released EPs "B side" in 2004. In 2002, his album was a strong commercial success and won the Shortlist Music Prize. After that, his second studio album "9" released not only in Ireland but also Europe and North America. 
Rice is also known for his charity work. He helped the Burma Campaign to free Burmese democracy movement leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Rice and Hannigan recorded a charity song, campaigning for her release, called "Unplayed Piano", which they performed at the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo. In 2008 he participated in a music album called Songs for Tibet which is an initiative to support Tibet and to underline the human rights situation in Tibet.