Vogue Girl Posted October 14, 2008 Posted October 14, 2008 Biography:Aimee Anne Duffy (born 23 June 1984 in Bangor, Gwynedd, Wales), known professionally as Duffy, is a Welsh singer-songwriter. She debuted at number one on the UK Album Charts with her album Rockferry, so far, selling over 3.4 million copies worldwide. Duffy is the first Welsh female to achieve a number one pop single in the past 25 years with her second single "Mercy".[1]Early lifeRaised in Nefyn on the Llŷn Peninsula in North Wales, with her twin sister, Katy, and older sister Kelly, Aimee Duffy's parents had divorced when she was 10, and she moved to Pembrokeshire with her mother and sisters. She dropped her first name at the age of 19, calling herself Duffy professionally and personally.[2]Duffy's early interest in singing was apparently inspired by her father's videotape of the 1960s television rock show Ready Steady Go![3] – she says she grew up without a record collection of her own.[4] Duffy started singing at age 6 and at that age carried around a notebook in which she scribbled lyrics. She was asked to leave her school choir because her voice was "too big" and she "didn't fit in."[5]In 1998 (aged 13), Duffy was briefly put in a police safe house when police uncovered a plot by her stepfather's ex-wife to pay a hitman £3000 to kill her stepfather, identified as Philip Smith. Smith's ex-wife, Dawn Watson, was sentenced that year to a 3½ year jail term for soliciting to murder. "I was so terrified. I felt so ill," Duffy recounted in 2008, as reported by the NME magazine and The Sun. A 1998 article in the Daily Mirror, another British tabloid, quotes a man identified as Philip Smith describing similar circumstances, though the stepdaughter's name is spelled Aimy — not Aimee — and the surname Duffy is not mentioned.[6][7][8][9]Duffy cites the effects of her stepfather's ex-wife's alcoholism as the reason for her not using drugs or alcohol.Early careerAfter finishing her GCSEs in Pembrokeshire,[4] Duffy returned to Nefyn when she was 15, and started singing in various local bands. Following a 1-year long music project in Switzerland with co-writer and producer Soren Mounir[11] under the name of Soulego[12], Duffy returned to Wales in 2003 and was invited to appear on Wawffactor, a Welsh television show on S4C, which has been compared to Pop Idol. She was expected to win, but came second to winner Lisa Pedrig.[13] Duffy claims that she was conned into the appearance; she later called it "the unhappiest time in my life."[14]In her teens Duffy wanted (and expected) to be a world famous pop star, and as such felt that she let others use her "as a vehicle for their vision not mine." At age 18, thinking her dreams were not going to come true, she "became almost a quite withdrawn singer." After a re-evaluation she decided to just make music for no other purposes than her own fulfilment.[15]Duffy was elected president of the Students' union at Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor in Pwllheli, 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,"[4] she left and worked for an optician, while building up a following at Alexander's, a local jazz and blues club, performing with guitarist David Burton from the band The Invisible Wires.[16]She recorded a three-song Welsh EP 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 J. Parfitt of Newport band 60ft Dolls, introduced Duffy in August 2004 to Jeanette Lee, former Public Image Ltd. member turned music manager and part-owner of Rough Trade Records.[17] Lee moved Duffy to Crouch End in London,[18] 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[4]—the pair then co-wrote with her and helped create a new retro sound.[19]BreakthroughContracted 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).[20] 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 dislikes being referred to as "the new Dusty Springfield."[21]. She said at first she did not understand the comparisons to Springfield and believes the comparisons with others or putting her in a movement is "a gimmick" and noted that "nobody is replaceable".[22] 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.[23] Singer-songwriter Alison Goldfrapp said while Duffy has a great voice she was trained to sound essentially like Amy Winehouse as part of a business plan, mistakenly believing that Duffy had attended BRIT school.[24]Duffy performed on the BBC Two television show Later with Jools Holland,[25] 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 BBC Two television programme The Culture Show on 23 February 2008 and performed "Mercy."In January 2008, she came second in the annual BBC News Online poll of industry experts Sound of 2008, for acts to emerge in the coming year.[26] 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.[3] She reached the number 1 spot on Siart C2 with her Welsh language EP entitled simply Aimée Duffy. A review of her first major tour's stop at the respected King Tut's venue in Glasgow noted "her quiet assurance obviously stems from talent. When she let loose, her voice was awesome."[27]RockferryButler 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 Records on 3 March 2008.[28]. According to Duffy, "The album took nearly four years to make. We had to hire cheap, tiny studios and sometimes there would be three-week periods between writing and recording." Bernard Butler who was not initially paid, produced four songs for the album, including the single, Rockferry, which peaked at 45 in the UK charts. [29] The big hits, Mercy, and Stepping Stone, were produced by Steve Brooker, and the Hit Warwick Avenue, by Jimmy Hogarth and Eg White. After releasing the debut limited edition single, "Rockferry" in November 2007, Duffy then released the Steve Brooker produced 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.[30][31]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".[32] The second single from the album Warwick Avenue was at the number 3 position on the U.K. singles charts on June 1.[33] The video for the song was filmed at Warwick Avenue underground station and Merrick Square, London.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, Dusty Springfield, Lulu and The Rolling Stones.[34][35][36]By May "Mercy" was a staple on VH1 and a hot Adult Contemporary radio hit,[37] and had been featured in television shows ER, Smallville and the season finale of Grey's Anatomy[38] as well as the soundtrack album for Sex and the City: The Movie.[39] On May 10, Duffy released a remix of "Mercy", featuring rap artist The Game.[40] On 13 May Rockferry was released in the United States to positive reviews.[41][42][43] and debuted at number 4.[44] In addition a billboard of her has been displayed in Times Square.[45][46][47][48] By the week of 22 May, "Mercy" was at at the number 27 position on the Billboard Top 100 propelled by digital downloads.[49]Duffy won the 2008 Song of the Year MOJO Award for "Mercy".[50] She was also nominated for Album of the Year and Breakthrough Act. The three nominations were the largest amount of nominations for any one act.[51]By the end of May Rockferry had sold more than 700,000 copies in the United Kingdom.[15] In France, Rockferry had sold 159,583 copies between March 3 (release date) and the end of June. As of 9 June the album was at the number 2 position and had been on the charts for 14 weeks.[52] On 12 June the album topped the European albums charts with Mercy at number 2 on the European singles chart.[53] As of 7 July the album was set to become the first album of 2008 to sell one million copies.[54]Duffy was the fifth best selling artist worldwide in the first half of 2008 selling 2.25 million copies.[55]As of 9 July 2008, Rockferry has become the best selling album in 2008 in the UK so far. The Official UK Charts Company has confirmed it has already sold over 1 million copies.[56]By 21 August Rockferry had reached number one in 11 markets.[57] By early September the album had sold over 3 million copies worldwide causing Duffy to be "gobsmacked". Because of its cheap production values the album is reaping Duffy substantial financial benefits. [29]Duffy received a 2008 Q Award in the category of Breakthrough Act [58] and a nomination for the category of Best Track for Mercy[59] as well as a Music of Black Origin Award nomination for Best UK Female[60]. Duffy is scheduled to perform at the MTV Europe Music Awards[61] where she has received three nominations in the categories of Album of the Year’’,’’Most Addictive Track’’, and ‘’New Act’’.TouringMarch 2008 saw her first American performances at the SXSW conference[63] and in New York City.[31] The Coachella Valley Music and Arts 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'."[64] On 10 May Duffy performed a selection of songs from Rockferry at Radio 1's Big Weekend in Mote Park, Maidstone.[citation needed] To coincide with the release of Rockferry Duffy performed at New York's historic Apollo Theater[65] and made a number of television appearances.[66][67] Duffy commented "Every time I'm in America, I feel there's some atmosphere -- I can't put my finger on it -- but there's some excitement that exists nowhere else. And I think it's because soul music, black music, is basically what started pop music".[22]Duffy has played a number of festivals in Europe, including the Vieilles Charrues Festival in France,[68] the Hove Festival in Norway the Accelerator Festival in Sweden, Glastonbury and Evolution Festival's in England, the Electric Picnic festival in Ireland[69], Connect Festival in Scotland on Sunday 31st August,[70] Wakestock in her native Wales, the V Festival on 16 August[71] and the Roskilde Festival in Denmark.[72] She also performed at Rock Werchter in Belgium.[citation needed] In North America she has performed at Lollapalooza on 1 August in Chicago[73] and the All Points West Music and Arts Festival at Liberty State Park, on the 8 August.[74] She played the Virgin Mobile Festival at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore on 10 August.[75]On 3 September Duffy played an intimate club gig and then answered questions at New York's China Club.[76]On 4 September Duffy performed on The Late Show With David Letterman;[77] she was the musical guest on Saturday Night Live on 27 September[78] where she performed Mercy and Stepping Stone.[22] Her 45 minute concert at a East End of London church is scheduled to air on BBC1 on 12 October. During the show she performed a new song Rain on My Parade. [1] which Duffy describes as "a big, disco-y dance song."[22]Duffy is expected to start a 14 city North American tour in October, 2008, opening for Coldplay on 6 of the dates.[79] In November and December she will tour the United Kingdom.Future projectsAs of July 2008 Duffy has been constantly writing material for a second album, compiling "loads of books" of song ideas. Duffy said that she will not constantly reinvent herself for each album.[81] Fellow Welsh singer Tom Jones has expressed an interest in singing with her.[82] Duffy with several other artists are working on the soundtrack to an upcoming independent film about the British northern soul scene of the early 1970s entitled Souled Out.[83]Duffy has recorded a cover of Paul McCartney's James Bond theme song "Live and Let Die" to be used in the War Child charity album entitled Heroes, to be released in February 2009.[84] McCartney said that Duffy's version "is great - I was really impressed".[EndorsementsIn August 2008 it was reported that Duffy will appear in a advertisement in Fashion Rocks Magazine for Nivea endorsing their new line of skin care and body care products.[86]Duffy says that she does not mind people illegally downloading her music because she believes most people who do are kids who cannot afford the CDs and will buy them when they get older.Mental healthDuffy was quoted in September as saying that because of the pressures of celebrity “ I'm borderline on a nervous breakdown” and has considered becoming a recluse but will not do that because she wants to do right by fans who have bought her music. She said that, while she realized that most people mean well, having people recognizing her in public is a "scary situation". Duffy has thought to herself "Wow, this thing that I created is changing so much of who I am."[88][89]DiscographyMain article: Duffy discographyStudio albums 2008: Rockferry 2008: Rockferry - Deluxe Edition EPs 2004: Aimée Duffy 2008: Live from London Awards and nominationsYear Award Category Title Result 2008 MOJO Awards Song of the Year "Mercy" Won Album of the Year "Rockferry" Nominated Vodafone Live Music Awards Best Female Nominated[90] Q Awards Breakthrough Act Won Best Track "Mercy" Nominated MTV Video Music Awards Best UK Video "Warwick Avenue" Nominated MTV Europe Music Awards Album of the Year "Rockferry" Nominated Most Addictive Track "Mercy" Nominated New Act Nominated MOBO Awards Best UK Female Nominated UK Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Best Singer Nominated Premios 40 Principales Best Non-Spanish International Song "Mercy" Nominated Source: Wikipedia Quote
Vogue Girl Posted October 14, 2008 Posted October 14, 2008 "Mercy (US Version)" video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjfdTrElE-Y Quote
doutzen_doll Posted October 15, 2008 Posted October 15, 2008 i love duffy i cant wait to see pics of her Quote
Nightlife Posted October 15, 2008 Posted October 15, 2008 Really like her, Got a very uniquie sound to her and she is also very sexy! Been wanting to get her album foir a little while now. Warrick Avenue is amazing! So much emotion Quote
Nightlife Posted October 15, 2008 Posted October 15, 2008 Duffy - Performance for BBC 1 show due to be broadcast 23/10/08 Quote
@lice Posted October 16, 2008 Posted October 16, 2008 you've got me begging you for mercyy <_< i'm so tired of this song :yuckky: Quote
Vogue Girl Posted October 16, 2008 Posted October 16, 2008 you've got me begging you for mercyy <_< i'm so tired of this song :yuckky: But i like this song Quote
Vogue Girl Posted October 16, 2008 Posted October 16, 2008 Pics of Vogue UK July (i think) 2008 Quote
@lice Posted October 19, 2008 Posted October 19, 2008 She looks so cute in the 1st one ^^ thank you=] Quote
Vogue Girl Posted November 3, 2008 Posted November 3, 2008 "Mercy" (Original Version) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KE2orthS3TQ Quote
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