Born and raised in Nefyn, North Wales, Duffy may be unlikely contender for the stage.
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Duffy
International Pop-Star. Famous for the hit single "Mercy"
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Born and raised in Nefyn, North Wales, Duffy may be unlikely contender for the stage, but – with a vocal ability that towers above expectation – that’s exactly where she belongs.
Having spent years honing her skills on the local live circuit, she’s risen to become one of today’s most promising new artists. In 2008 she’ll release the essential-listening LP ‘Rockferry’, which follows the beguiling single of the same name (download Nov 19th, released Dec 3rd), produced and cowritten by Bernard Butler.
Evocative of the music that raised her, yet thoroughly modern, her soulful sound combines a nostalgic, scratchy blues feel with the rustic sound of modern life. Influenced by Doris Duke, Bettye Swann, Scott Walker and Richard Hawley, Duffy began songwriting at the age of 10. “I’m from a very close community. I moved away when I was ten and grew up in West Wales, where I first learned English as a second language. It was difficult for me to converse back then, so I withdrew into songwriting. It was just innate.”
Spotted by Richard Parfitt (60 Ft. Dolls) and Owen Power (Catatonia) in 2004, she soon came to the attention of Rough Trade’s Jeannette Lee – who became her manager, co-writer and mentor. Armed with a development deal that united her with Bernard Butler, she spent the past 2 years creating the album that would mark her arrival: ‘Rockferry’.
“We didn’t have any record stores in my town – I just instinctively knew what I wanted to do. Somebody coming from Wales to the city I’ve had a lot to deal with, so for me this album is about a journey. We took two years to get the process right, and I think that’s what we’ve done”.
Backed by a band of six musicians – Sgt Meadows, Ben. E., Greeno, Mr T, Ayo & Karlos – Duffy’s sound is both nostalgic and timeless. “I write my songs acapella and built it up from there, which is where we get the retro sound. Old music was always recorded on a 4-track, so it had to be melody-led. When we finished the demos, we took them back to the original co-writers. It would’ve been easy to get some hot-shot American producer, but we kept it organic.”
Recorded straight to tape, the album has a charisma all its own. Highlights include the defiantly catchy ‘Mercy’, – haunted by the ghost of Mowtown – ‘Warwick Avenue’ with its white-knuckle grip and the razorsharp hook of ‘Serious’
The Observer Music Monthly said of ‘Rockferry’ – “it makes the hairs on the back of your neck prickle with its bewitching grace”.
The single ‘Rockferry’ is available to download from November 19th. On December 3rd it is released as a 2-track, 7” vinyl.
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Topics
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An Evening With Duffy
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Duffy - Mercy
The Tragic Reason Duffy Left the Spotlight!
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