Damien Rice was born in 1973 on the outskirts of Dublin, Ireland.  Rice’s artistic talent was apparent at a young age, as he spent a considerable amount of time painting and writing songs. 

At the beginning of the nineties Rice formed the rock group Juniper with some friends. Between 1994 and 1997, the group cut a few demos and signed a deal with Polygram Records. However, shortly after the release of two singles (The World Is Dead and Weathermen), Rice decided to split before recording their first album.  Rice travelled across Europe and returned to Dublin to focus on his music career.  He recorded a demo and sent it to composer and film producer David Arnold, (Björk).

Arnold was impressed with Rice’s music and produced his first solo album.  His debut album, O, was released in 2002.  It had hits such as Volcano and The Blower’s Daughter.  Damien Rice had become a sensation in Great Britain.  O was released internationally in 2003.  The lineup of Rice’s band included backup singer Lisa Hannigan, cellist Vyvienne Long, bassist Shane Fitzsimons, and drummer Tom Osander.

In 2004, the single The Blower’s Daughter became a smashing success when it was used in the Mike Nichols film Closer.  It sold more than two million copies.  Rice released his follow-up album, 9, in 2006.  It was another commercial triumph and had the signature single, 9.  The disc sold thousands of copies.  Rice went on tour across Great Britain and the United States with his band to promote the album. 

In 2007, Rice announced that Hannigan was leaving the band.  Rice continued his solo work and recorded two live albums, but they didn’t quite captivate audiences the way the first two albums had. 

Rice was given the honour of performing Hallelujah as a tribute for one of his favourite artists, Leonard Cohen, at Cohen’s induction into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame in March 2008.  Cohen then asked Rice to be a special guest for all three of his Dublin tour dates.