Sharing Rice

It was a most pleasurable surprise to encounter Steve Hochman’s piece on Irish singer-songwriter Damien Rice (“Another Hopeless Romantic,” June 22). Yet, I was also worried. After a year of feeling like Rice’s music belonged only to me, would I soon have to share my favorite secret with the rest of the music-loving world?

There wasn’t any hype -- no expectations or preconceptions -- that came along with discovering Rice, which is the only way to discover his haunting, fresh and gorgeous songs, because he has remained in virtual obscurity outside Ireland. Hochman’s article was the first thing I had seen about Rice in the media.

Thanks to Steve Hochman (and Nic Harcourt of KCRW-FM [89.9]) for exposing this amazing, unique musician for the world to enjoy, because, being as selfish as I am, I sure wasn’t going to do it.

Natalie Gans

Encino