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Duffy (singer)

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

Aimee Anne Duffy (born 23 June 1984, Gwynedd, Wales), known professionally as Duffy, is a Welsh singer-songwriter.

Biography

Early life

Raised in Wales, on the Llŷn Peninsula, with her twin sister, Katy, and older sister Kelly, Aimee Anne Duffy's parents divorced when she was 10, and she moved to Pembrokeshire with her mother and sisters, while her father remained in Nefyn. She dropped her first name at the age of 19, calling herself Duffy professionally and personally.[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] - but she built up no record collection of her own.[3] Duffy started singing at age 6 and at that age carried around a notebook in which she scribbled lyrics. She was booted from her primary school choir aged 11 [citation needed], because her voice was "too big; I didn't fit in".[4]

Duffy was put in a safe house in 1998 when police uncovered a plot by her stepfather's ex-wife to pay a hitman £3000 to kill her stepfather, identified as Philip Smith. Her stepfather's ex-wife served a 3 1/2 year jail term for the incident. A 1998 article in another British tabloid quotes a man identified as Philip Smith describing similar circumstances. The tabloid quoted Duffy as saying about the alleged incident: "I was so terrified. I felt so ill."[5][6][7]. She cites the effects of her stepfather's ex-wife's alcoholism as the reason for her not being a user of alcohol or drugs.[8]

Early career

After finishing her GCSEs in Pembrokeshire,[3] Duffy returned to Nefyn when she was 15, and started singing in various local bands. Following an unsuccessful music project in Switzerland, Duffy returned to Wales in 2003 and was invited to appear on Wawffactor, a Welsh television show similar to Pop Idol on local station S4C. She was expected to win, but came second to winner Lisa Pedrig.[9]

Duffy was elected president of the Students Union at Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor in Dolgellau, North Wales before transferring to the University of Chester in England. Advised by a lecturer to "Go on the dole, love, and become a singer,"[3] she left and worked for an optician, while building up a following in Alexander's (a local jazz and blues club) performing with guitarist David Burton from the band The Invisible Wires. [10]

She recorded a three-song-EP 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.[11] Lee moved Duffy to Crouch End in London,[12] and orchestrated a meeting between Duffy and Suede's ex-guitar player Bernard Butler.

After Butler had given Duffy a soul music "education" by downloading tracks on to her iPod that she could listen to while around London or travelling back to Wales—including Al Green, Bettye Swann, Ann Peebles, Beyoncé, Doris Duke, Scott Walker, Phil Spector and Burt Bacharach[3]—the pair then co-wrote with her and helped create a new retro sound.[13]

Break through

Contracted to A&M Records during 2007, on 23 November 2007, together with another rising star, Adele, Duffy was the most prominent of the so-called "new Amys" (a reference to singer Amy Winehouse).[14] Under the sub-title, "The New Amys", Adam Thompson wrote in The Times on 30 December 2007 that "Duffy, Gabriella Cilmi and Adele lead the charge to be the next Winehouse. First sightings seem to indicate that they are all bright-eyed innocents with bags of talent—a familiar starting point, no?" Duffy herself disliked being referred to as "the new Dusty Springfield."[15]. British hip hop singer Estelle criticized Duffy and Adele for misrepresenting genuine soul music. Duffy partially agreed with the criticism in that she is not trying to “define” soul music but disputed the assertion that race should be an issue.[16]

Duffy performed on the BBC2 television show Later with Jools Holland,[17] 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 News website poll of industry experts Sound of 2008, for acts to emerge in the coming year.[18] 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."[19]

In Wales, she seems 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] She reached the number 1 spot on Siart C2 with her Welsh language EP entitled simply Aimee Duffy.

Rockferry

File:Duffy Rockferry.jpg

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 was released on Polydor on 3 March 2008.[20] 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, and the only female from the Llŷn Peninsula to ever top the UK music singles charts. "Mercy" spent a second week at number one on 24 February 2008, and set its full physical release on 25 February 2008.

She has revealed that "Rockferry" is written about the place Rock Ferry on The Wirral, where her father is from. [citation needed] She also has revealed that both "Mercy" and "Stepping Stone" are autobiographical. "Mercy" is about "sexual liberty" and "not doing something somebody else wants you to do" and "Stepping Stone" is about not expressing her feelings to a person she fell in love with. [21][22]

On 21 April 2008 Duffy was at the top of the Pan-European Album chart for Rockferry and the Eurochart Hot 100 Singles chart for "Mercy".[23] Duffy confirmed in an interview that "Warwick Avenue" would be the next single from Rockferry, (scheduled 28 May 2008), with the video filmed at Warwick Avenue underground station and Merrick Square, London. On 10 May Duffy performed a selection of songs from Rockferry at Radio 1's Big Weekend in Mote Park, Maidstone.

In North America Duffy is seen as the latest in a recent wave of British singers or "British invaders" consisting of females with a unique take on writing and performing songs. This has been compared to the original "wave" led by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.[24][25]
[26] March 2008 saw her first American performances at the SXSW conference[27] and in New York City.[28] The Coachella Festival was her first festival gig. The performance started off with sound problems but she "delighted the crowd with "Rockferry", "Serious", "Warwick Avenue" and "Mercy"."[29].

By May "Mercy" was a staple on VH1 and a hot Adult Contemporary radio hit,[30] and had been featured in television shows ER and Smallville. On May 10, Duffy released a remix of "Mercy", featuring rap artist The Game.[31] On 13 May Rockferry was released in the United States to positive reviews.[32][33] [34] and debuted at number 4.[35] To coincide with the album release Duffy performed at New York's historic Apollo Theater[36] and made a number of television appearances. In addition a billboard of her has been displayed in Times Square.[37][38][39][40]

Duffy is scheduled to play a number of festivals including the Virgin Mobile Festival at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore on August 9-10;[41] and the Osheaga Festival in Montreal, Canada on the 4 August.[42]

Duffy has earned 2008 MOJO Awards nominations in the categories of Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Breakthrough Act. The three nominations are the largest amount of nominations for any one act.[43]

Discography

Main article: Duffy discography

Studio albums

Singles

EP's

Band members

  • Aimee 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. ^ a b c d Sharp, Rob (2008-02-23). "Duffy: Little voice". The Independent. Retrieved 2008-05-10.
  4. ^ Ive seen the really dark side of addiction says new music megastar Duffy You Magazine 3 May, 2008
  5. ^ Duffy in assassination plot drama NME 31 March, 2008
  6. ^ I smoke my head off' Guardian Unlimited 31 March, 2008
  7. ^ The woman I'd loved paid a hitman £3,000 to blast my head off; HUSBAND TELLS OF DEATH-THREAT TERROR. Daily Mirror 3 October 1998
  8. ^ I've seen the really dark side of addiction says new music megastar Duffy You Magazine 3 May, 2008
  9. ^ "Wawffactor". S4C. 2003. Retrieved 2008-01-04.
  10. ^ "The Invisible Wires featuring Duffy".
  11. ^ "From Nefyn in awe". North Wales Daily Post. November 23 2007. Retrieved 2008-01-03. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ "Duffy invites you to Rockferry". inthenews.co.uk. 26 November 2007. Retrieved 2008-01-03.
  13. ^ "Introducing Duffy". MTV.co.uk. 30 November 2007. Retrieved 2008-01-03.
  14. ^ For example,The Times, 30 December 2007; Sunday Times, 17 February 2008
  15. ^ Metro, 1 April 2008
  16. ^ Welsh girl plays the Apollo - why the fuss? Toronto Globe and Mail 10 May, 2008
  17. ^ "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)
  18. ^ "Sound of 2008: Duffy". BBC News. 3 January 2008. Retrieved 2008-01-03.
  19. ^ Duffy gig review, King Tuts Glasgow, Feb 2008 from stv.tv/music
  20. ^ "BBC Wales Music - Duffy". BBC Wales. Retrieved 2008-01-03.
  21. ^ MTV Buzzworthy blog
  22. ^ Wales' Duffy is coming to America with 'Rockferry' Newsday 23 March, 2008
  23. ^ Madonna Racks Up 13th U.K. No. 1 Single Billboard 21 April, 2008
  24. ^ The newest British invader, just Duffy MediaLife Magazine 5 May,2008
  25. ^ Welcome to the next British Invasion, female singers like Duffy 13 May, 2008
  26. ^ A female British Invasion Associated Press 15 May, 2008
  27. ^ Duffy Wows SXSW at first U.S. Show Rolling Stone 15 March, 2008
  28. ^ Wales' Duffy is coming to America with 'Rockferry' Newsday 23 March, 2008
  29. ^ Roger Waters, MMJ Close Coachella 2008 Billboard.com 28 April, 2008
  30. ^ These British artists are chasing Amy Winehouse Jim Farber for The New York Daily News 4 May, 2008
  31. ^ Hotnewhiphop.com, May 10, 2008
  32. ^ There's something in the water Boston Globe 13 May, 2008
  33. ^ A taste of Foxy & Neil Philadelphia Daily News 13 May, 2008
  34. ^ Reviewed Los Angeles Times 13 May, 2008
  35. ^ 'Narrow Stairs' No. 1 on U.S. album chart United Press International 21 May, 2008
  36. ^ Welsh Voice Crooning American Soul New York Times 14 May, 2008
  37. ^ Princess of Wails Wall Street Journal 9 May, 2008
  38. ^ Duffy official website
  39. ^ UK singer Duffy a small-town girl with big dreams Reuters 13 April
  40. ^ There’s a wholesomeness to Duffy that I think will be embraced and she has a really fabulous voice Wales Western Mail 14 May, 2008
  41. ^ Roger Waters, MMJ Close Coachella 2008 Billboard.com 28 April, 2008
  42. ^ Osheaga Festival Website
  43. ^ Duffy leads MOJO awards shortlist BBC News 1 May, 2008
  44. ^ http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/14/arts/music/14duff.html?_r=1&ref=music&oref=slogin
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