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Duffy (singer)

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For other uses of the name Duffy see, see Duffy.

Duffy (born Aimee Anne Duffy in June 1984 in Gwynedd), is a Welsh female soul singer-songwriter.

Duffy

Biography

Raised in Nefyn on the Llŷn Peninsula with her twin sister, Katy, her parents divorced when she was 10, and she moved to Pembrokeshire with her mother and sisters, while her father remained in Nefyn.[1] Her early interest in singing was apparently inspired by her father, John Duffy's videotape of the 1960s television rock show Ready Steady Go! [2].

Duffy returned to Nefyn when she was 15, and started singing in various local bands. After being involved in an unsuccessful music project in Switzerland, Duffy returned to Wales in 2003 and auditioned for Wawffactor, a Welsh alternative to Pop Idol on S4C where she was expected to win, but eventually came second to winner Lisa Pedrig.[3]

Duffy was elected president of the Students Union at Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor, before transferring to study at the University of Chester, Chester, England where she built up a following in a local jazz and blues club [4]. She recorded a CD of three songs in Welsh in 2004 and also appeared on two tracks on the album See You in the Morning by Mint Royale while working as a waitress and in a fishery. Owen Powell of Catatonia and Richard Parfitt of Newport band 60ft Dolls, introduced Duffy in August 2004 to former Public Image Ltd. member turned music manager and part-owner of Rough Trade Records Jeanette Lee.[5] Lee moved Duffy to Crouch End in London,[6] and orchestrated a meeting between Duffy and Suede's ex-guitar player Bernard Butler, who then co-wrote with her and helped create a sound that has been compared to Dusty Springfield.[7]

Contracted to A&M Records during 2007, on 23 November 2007, Duffy performed on the BBC2 television show Later with Jools Holland,[8] which resulted in a second appearance on the related New Year's Eve show Hootenanny, on which, among other things, she performed with soul legend Eddie Floyd. On 22 February 2008, she appeared on Later with Jools Holland for a third time and performed "Rockferry", "Mercy" and "Stepping Stone". She also appeared on the BBC2 television programme "The Culture Show" on 23 February 2008 and performed "Mercy". In January 2008, she came second in the annual BBC 6 Music poll of industry experts Sound of 2008, for acts to emerge in the coming year.[9] In Wales she seemed set to become the "pop" equivalent of mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins. A number of commentators have remarked on her unaffected personality and natural charm.[2]

Butler and his musical partner David McAlmont, and a number of other musicians have formed the backbone of Duffy's band for her debut album entitled Rockferry, which is due for release on Polydor on 3 March 2008.[10]

After releasing a debut limited edition single, "Rockferry" in November 2007, Duffy then released a followup single, "Mercy", which went straight to number one on download sales on 17 February 2008. Duffy is the first Welsh female to achieve a number one pop single in the past 25 years. "Mercy" spent a second week at number one on 24 February 2008, and is set to receive its full physical release on 25 February 2008.

A review of her first major tour's stop at the respected King Tuts venue in Glasgow noted "her quiet assurance obviously stems from talent. When she let loose, her voice was awesome."[11]

Discography

Albums

Year Album Chart positions
UK
2008 "Rockferry"

Singles

Year Title Chart positions Album
UK IRE
2007 "Rockferry"
45
—
Rockferry
2008 "Mercy"
1
2

Band members

  • Duffy: vocals
  • Bernard Butler: guitar, piano, percussion
  • Makoto Sakamoto: drums
  • David McAlmont: vocals
  • Tobi Oyerinde: guitar
  • Ayo Oyerinde: keyboards
  • Tom Meadows: drums
  • Ben Epstein: bass
  • Jon Green: guitar
  • Josh McKenzie: percussion

References

  1. ^ "Singing sensation Duffy shows her emotions". South Wales Western Mail. November 30 2007. Retrieved 2008-01-03. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ a b "Interview: Duffy the voice: a new star is born", Times Online. URL last accessed 2008-02-07
  3. ^ "Wawffactor". S4C. 2003. Retrieved 2008-01-04.
  4. ^ "Rockferry album review", The Dunmow Broadcast. URL last accessed 2008-02-14
  5. ^ "From Nefyn in awe". North Wales Daily Post. November 23 2007. Retrieved 2008-01-03. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ "Duffy invites you to Rockferry". inthenews.co.uk. 26 November 2007. Retrieved 2008-01-03.
  7. ^ "Introducing Duffy". MTV.co.uk. 30 November 2007. Retrieved 2008-01-03.
  8. ^ "Interview: Duffy (no, not the bass player in GnR...)". musictowers.com. December 6 2007. Retrieved 2008-01-03. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ "Sound of 2008: Duffy". BBC 6 Music. 3 January 2008. Retrieved 2008-01-03.
  10. ^ "BBC Wales Music - Duffy". BBC Wales. Retrieved 2008-01-03.
  11. ^ Duffy gig review, King Tuts Glasgow, Feb 2008 from stv.tv/music


  

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