Joanne Hogg
Encyclopedia
Joanne Hogg is an Irish
singer and songwriter for the band Iona
.
, Northern Ireland
and is best known as the lead singer and songwriter with the Christian
progressive
Celtic
/pop
/rock
band Iona
(named after the island Iona
). Her father is a Presbyterian minister, her mother a nurse; her family also includes three sisters and two brothers. With medicine strong in the family, it was natural for Hogg to become a doctor. Thus, she studied medicine at Queens University in Belfast
. In her third year, Joanne was singing at the Christian Artists talent event and was convinced sing in a school ministry at Youth For Christ
in Denmark. After a year, Joanne returned to the University to complete her two remaining years of schooling.
She started working as a junior doctor in the Belfast Hospital, but in 1988 she was invited to form a band with Dave Fitzgerald
and Dave Bainbridge
. In 1989, Joanne stopped practicing medicine and Iona was born. Since then, Joanne has sung all over Europe and America. Iona's recordings have become successful worldwide, making them Europe's best selling contemporary Christian band.
Hogg recorded her first solo album in 1999, entitled Looking Into Light
. The tracks that feature on this album are a selection of re-arranged traditional hymns, with Iona providing the instrumental melodies. In 2001, Hogg collaborated with vocalists Máire Brennan and Margaret Becker
for the release New Irish Hymns
. There have been a further three volumes of the New Irish Hymns series of albums involving other vocals. Iona also provided the instrumentals.
Her vocals were further featured in the PlayStation
role-playing video game Xenogears
. Composed by Yasunori Mitsuda, the ending-theme song "Small Two Of Pieces", along with an extra track "Stars Of Tears" (not featured in the game) were recorded. Mitsuda also invited her to record the vocal themes for the prequel to Xenogears, Xenosaga: Episode One. Two tracks were recorded for this game: the ending-theme "Kokoro", and insert song "Pain". Soundtracks were released for both of these videogames on the Digicube label. The song "Kokoro" was also released as a CD single. Hogg's vocals were not featured in any of the later Xenosaga releases, as Yasunori Mitsuda was replaced as the game's musical composer. Her work in Xenosaga is also her most well known.
In 2008, Joanne released two solo albums, Raphael's Journey and Personal. Raphael's Journey is available only as a download and features friend Moya Brennan
of Clannad. The album is available only through Kingsway Music UK. Joanne, in her personal press release, says:
Her Personal album was also released with a press release by Joanne Hogg, "to give fans the true story of the album".
See Iona
for a list of its recordings
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
singer and songwriter for the band Iona
Iona (band)
Iona is the name of a progressive Celtic rock band from the United Kingdom, which was formed in the late 1980s by lead vocalist Joanne Hogg and multi-instrumentalists David Fitzgerald and Dave Bainbridge....
.
Biography
Hogg was born in BallymenaBallymena
Ballymena is a large town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland and the seat of Ballymena Borough Council. Ballymena had a population of 28,717 people in the 2001 Census....
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
and is best known as the lead singer and songwriter with the Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
progressive
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
Celtic
Celtic music
Celtic music is a term utilised by artists, record companies, music stores and music magazines to describe a broad grouping of musical genres that evolved out of the folk musical traditions of the Celtic people of Western Europe...
/pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
/rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band Iona
Iona (band)
Iona is the name of a progressive Celtic rock band from the United Kingdom, which was formed in the late 1980s by lead vocalist Joanne Hogg and multi-instrumentalists David Fitzgerald and Dave Bainbridge....
(named after the island Iona
Iona
Iona is a small island in the Inner Hebrides off the western coast of Scotland. It was a centre of Irish monasticism for four centuries and is today renowned for its tranquility and natural beauty. It is a popular tourist destination and a place for retreats...
). Her father is a Presbyterian minister, her mother a nurse; her family also includes three sisters and two brothers. With medicine strong in the family, it was natural for Hogg to become a doctor. Thus, she studied medicine at Queens University in Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
. In her third year, Joanne was singing at the Christian Artists talent event and was convinced sing in a school ministry at Youth For Christ
Youth for Christ
Youth for Christ is the name of a number of previously unaffiliated evangelical Protestant religious campaigns which led to the creation of Youth for Christ International in 1946....
in Denmark. After a year, Joanne returned to the University to complete her two remaining years of schooling.
She started working as a junior doctor in the Belfast Hospital, but in 1988 she was invited to form a band with Dave Fitzgerald
Dave Fitzgerald
Dave Fitzgerald is a woodwind player who plays saxophones , flutes, whistles and clarinet. With Dave Bainbridge he co-founded the influential Christian progressive and Celtic folk themed band Iona...
and Dave Bainbridge
Dave Bainbridge
Dave Bainbridge is a keyboard player and guitarist who with Dave Fitzgerald co-founded the Christian progressive and Celtic folk themed band Iona.-Biography:...
. In 1989, Joanne stopped practicing medicine and Iona was born. Since then, Joanne has sung all over Europe and America. Iona's recordings have become successful worldwide, making them Europe's best selling contemporary Christian band.
Hogg recorded her first solo album in 1999, entitled Looking Into Light
Looking Into Light
Looking Into Light is an album by Joanne Hogg. It was released in 1999, and reissued in 2006 as Celtic Hymns.The idea for Looking Into Light came from Hogg's father who was struck by the "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" recording by Iona. He made the suggestion that Hogg should record a complete...
. The tracks that feature on this album are a selection of re-arranged traditional hymns, with Iona providing the instrumental melodies. In 2001, Hogg collaborated with vocalists Máire Brennan and Margaret Becker
Margaret Becker
Margaret Becker is an American Christian rock singer, guitarist, and songwriter. She has had twenty-one No. 1 Christian radio hits, won four Dove Awards, and been nominated for four Grammy Awards.-Biography:...
for the release New Irish Hymns
New Irish Hymns
New Irish Hymns is the first in a series of themed albums created and produced by Keith Getty. This album features vocalists Máire Brennan, Margaret Becker and Joanne Hogg performing songs by Keith Getty and others...
. There have been a further three volumes of the New Irish Hymns series of albums involving other vocals. Iona also provided the instrumentals.
Her vocals were further featured in the PlayStation
PlayStation
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console first released by Sony Computer Entertainment in Japan on December 3, .The PlayStation was the first of the PlayStation series of consoles and handheld game devices. The PlayStation 2 was the console's successor in 2000...
role-playing video game Xenogears
Xenogears
is a science-fiction console role-playing game developed and published by Square for Sony's PlayStation. It was released on February 11, 1998 in Japan and on October 20, 1998 in North America. The game was never released in PAL territories...
. Composed by Yasunori Mitsuda, the ending-theme song "Small Two Of Pieces", along with an extra track "Stars Of Tears" (not featured in the game) were recorded. Mitsuda also invited her to record the vocal themes for the prequel to Xenogears, Xenosaga: Episode One. Two tracks were recorded for this game: the ending-theme "Kokoro", and insert song "Pain". Soundtracks were released for both of these videogames on the Digicube label. The song "Kokoro" was also released as a CD single. Hogg's vocals were not featured in any of the later Xenosaga releases, as Yasunori Mitsuda was replaced as the game's musical composer. Her work in Xenosaga is also her most well known.
In 2008, Joanne released two solo albums, Raphael's Journey and Personal. Raphael's Journey is available only as a download and features friend Moya Brennan
Moya Brennan
Moya Brennan, born Máire Ní Bhraonáin , also known as Máire Brennan , is an Irish folk singer, songwriter, harpist, and philanthropist who began performing professionally in 1970, when her family formed the band Clannad, and is now widely considered as the "First Lady of Celtic Music"...
of Clannad. The album is available only through Kingsway Music UK. Joanne, in her personal press release, says:
Musically, this album is a collection of songs with a few instrumentals. Frank Van Essen has been working with me on this for several years not only as producer, but also co-writing and playing. There are beautiful performances from all my mates in Iona, gorgeous string arrangements from Frank, beautiful guest vocals from the amazing Moya Brennan and piano and vocals from myself......so, please download it and tell others about it."
Her Personal album was also released with a press release by Joanne Hogg, "to give fans the true story of the album".
Discography
- Looking Into LightLooking Into LightLooking Into Light is an album by Joanne Hogg. It was released in 1999, and reissued in 2006 as Celtic Hymns.The idea for Looking Into Light came from Hogg's father who was struck by the "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" recording by Iona. He made the suggestion that Hogg should record a complete...
- (1999) - Celtic HymnsLooking Into LightLooking Into Light is an album by Joanne Hogg. It was released in 1999, and reissued in 2006 as Celtic Hymns.The idea for Looking Into Light came from Hogg's father who was struck by the "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" recording by Iona. He made the suggestion that Hogg should record a complete...
- (2006 reissue of Looking Into Light) - Raphael's Journey - (2008)
- Personal - (2008)
See Iona
Iona (band)
Iona is the name of a progressive Celtic rock band from the United Kingdom, which was formed in the late 1980s by lead vocalist Joanne Hogg and multi-instrumentalists David Fitzgerald and Dave Bainbridge....
for a list of its recordings
Collaborations
- New Irish HymnsNew Irish HymnsNew Irish Hymns is the first in a series of themed albums created and produced by Keith Getty. This album features vocalists Máire Brennan, Margaret Becker and Joanne Hogg performing songs by Keith Getty and others...
(2002) (with Moya BrennanMoya BrennanMoya Brennan, born Máire Ní Bhraonáin , also known as Máire Brennan , is an Irish folk singer, songwriter, harpist, and philanthropist who began performing professionally in 1970, when her family formed the band Clannad, and is now widely considered as the "First Lady of Celtic Music"...
and Margaret BeckerMargaret BeckerMargaret Becker is an American Christian rock singer, guitarist, and songwriter. She has had twenty-one No. 1 Christian radio hits, won four Dove Awards, and been nominated for four Grammy Awards.-Biography:...
) - New Irish Hymns 2New Irish Hymns 2New Irish Hymns 2: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is the second in a series of themed albums created and produced by Keith Getty. This album features vocalists Margaret Becker, Joanne Hogg, and Kristyn Lennox performing songs by Keith Getty and others...
(2003) (with Margaret BeckerMargaret BeckerMargaret Becker is an American Christian rock singer, guitarist, and songwriter. She has had twenty-one No. 1 Christian radio hits, won four Dove Awards, and been nominated for four Grammy Awards.-Biography:...
and Kristyn GettyKristyn GettyKristyn Elizabeth Rebekah Getty is an Irish recording artist and worship leader. With her husband, she co-writes many new songs and hymns.An acclaimed soloist in her own right, Kristyn began singing as a teenager in her family's church in Northern Ireland...
) - New Irish Hymns 3: IncarnationNew Irish Hymns 3New Irish Hymns 3: Incarnation is the third in a series of themed albums created and produced by Keith Getty. This album features vocalists Margaret Becker, Joanne Hogg, and Kristyn Getty performing songs by Keith Getty and others...
(2004) (with Margaret BeckerMargaret BeckerMargaret Becker is an American Christian rock singer, guitarist, and songwriter. She has had twenty-one No. 1 Christian radio hits, won four Dove Awards, and been nominated for four Grammy Awards.-Biography:...
and Kristyn GettyKristyn GettyKristyn Elizabeth Rebekah Getty is an Irish recording artist and worship leader. With her husband, she co-writes many new songs and hymns.An acclaimed soloist in her own right, Kristyn began singing as a teenager in her family's church in Northern Ireland...
) - New Irish Hymns 4New Irish Hymns 4New Irish Hymns 4: Hymns for the Life of the Church is the fourth and final album in a series of themed albums created and produced by Keith Getty. This album features vocalists Margaret Becker, Joanne Hogg, and Kristyn Getty performing songs by Keith Getty and others . Margaret Becker and Joanne...
(2005) (with Margaret BeckerMargaret BeckerMargaret Becker is an American Christian rock singer, guitarist, and songwriter. She has had twenty-one No. 1 Christian radio hits, won four Dove Awards, and been nominated for four Grammy Awards.-Biography:...
and Kristyn GettyKristyn GettyKristyn Elizabeth Rebekah Getty is an Irish recording artist and worship leader. With her husband, she co-writes many new songs and hymns.An acclaimed soloist in her own right, Kristyn began singing as a teenager in her family's church in Northern Ireland...
) - Songs for LucaSongs for LucaSongs for Luca is an eclectic collection of various Celtic music and progressive rock music and gathered together on one album by Dave Bainbridge the Guitarist and keyboard player and founder member of Iona. Released in 2003....
(with other Iona members and various other artists) - Veil of GossamerVeil of GossamerVeil of Gossamer is an album by Dave Bainbridge. Released in 2004.The idea for Veil of Gossamer came from an incident that is said to have occurred in the 7th century to a young shepherd boy whilst on the Northumbrian hills, tending his flock. Seeing a strange sight in the sky off in the distance...
(with Dave BainbridgeDave BainbridgeDave Bainbridge is a keyboard player and guitarist who with Dave Fitzgerald co-founded the Christian progressive and Celtic folk themed band Iona.-Biography:...
) - Xenogears Original SoundtrackXenogears Original SoundtrackThe Xenogears Original Soundtrack is the official soundtrack to Square's console role-playing game Xenogears. It was composed by Yasunori Mitsuda and contains 44 tracks, including a Bulgarian choral song and two pieces performed by the Irish singer Joanne Hogg...
(with Yasunori MitsudaYasunori Mitsudais a Japanese video game composer, sound programmer, and musician. He has composed music for or worked on over 35 games, and has contributed to over 15 other albums...
) - Xenosaga: Episode One Original Soundtrack (with Yasunori MitsudaYasunori Mitsudais a Japanese video game composer, sound programmer, and musician. He has composed music for or worked on over 35 games, and has contributed to over 15 other albums...
) - Xenosaga: Episode One Original Soundtrack (Second Release) (with Yasunori MitsudaYasunori Mitsudais a Japanese video game composer, sound programmer, and musician. He has composed music for or worked on over 35 games, and has contributed to over 15 other albums...
) - Xenosaga: Episode One "Kokoro" Single (with Yasunori MitsudaYasunori Mitsudais a Japanese video game composer, sound programmer, and musician. He has composed music for or worked on over 35 games, and has contributed to over 15 other albums...
) - The Unseen StreamThe Unseen StreamThe Unseen Stream is a progressive rock album by Troy Donockley. This was his first solo outing and was released in 1998.This recording shows Troy as a multi-skilled wood player. His main instrument is the Uilleann Pipes adding also Low Whistles, Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Keys, Cittern and...
(solo release by Troy DonockleyTroy DonockleyTroy Donockley is an English composer and multi-instrumentalist most known for his playing of uillean pipes.- Early life and career :...
) - The Pursuit of IllusionThe Pursuit of IllusionThe Pursuit of Illusion is the second solo album by English progressive rock artist Troy Donockley. The album was released in 2003.Recordings were made in various studios in northern England:*The Chapel Studios, Lincolnshire -...
(solo release by Troy DonockleyTroy DonockleyTroy Donockley is an English composer and multi-instrumentalist most known for his playing of uillean pipes.- Early life and career :...
)