Grainne Duffy
Grainne Duffy is an Irish guitarist, singer and songwriter hailing from county Monaghan, Ireland. Her specific genres include Blues, Soul and Americana enriched with some delicate country and pop elements.
Her professional career started in 2007. The same year she released her remarkable debut album Out Of The Dark, proof talent that was raising at an impressive rate.
Described by The Sunday Times as ‘a blues singer of real integrity’, Grainne Duffy is a pioneer of her own style while also paying sincere homage to her roots, soul, blues and rock traditions. During 2011 she released her second album Test Of Time as a result of her collaboration with the producer Niko Bolas (Melissa Etheridge, Los Lobos). The release and the accompanying video to the
title song further marked the development of Duffy’s reputation in the U.K followed by the rest of Europe, Canada and Australia
Important highlight are her concerts at Glastonbury festival (2008 and 2022), Woodford Folk festival (Australia), Tremblant International Festival (Canada) and her appearances at Mahindra Blues Festival (India). 2014 and 2015 sees Grainne as winner in Blues Matters Writers Poll in the categories “best vocalist” and “best solo artist”. With a voice that is as passionate as it is raw and honest, accompanied by simple, melodic and phrased guitar lines, this is what you have in Grainne Duffy. 2017 sees her in USA recording with producer Justin Stanley (Eric Clapton, Sheryl Crow). This results as release of third album “Where I
Belong” to follow the success of the previous two. The summer of 2018 sees Grainne to share the stage at Cornbury Festival, UK alongside with fine artists like Alanis Morissette and Mavis Staple.
Duffy releases her 4th studio album “Voodoo Blues” during October 2020. It is warmly received internationally achieving # 7 in UK IBBA Top 40, # 13 in USA RMR and # 8 in France Powerblues charts. The album led Duffy to be winner in the Independent Blues Awards 2021 in the category “Best Modern Roots Artist”.
In August 2021 together with Johnny Logan (winner in Eurovision) and accompanied by the RTE Symphony Orchestra Duffy recordslive The Beatles “Hey Jude” for RTE program.
During May 2023 Duffy releases her 5th studio album “Dirt Woman Blues”. Producers are worldwide renown Grammy winner Chriss Goldsmith (Ben Harper, Blind Boys Of Alabama) and the guitarist Marc Ford (of Black Crowes). The album becomes # 1 in the USA RMR Top 50 for 7 consecutive weeks and also reaches # 2 in Australia Top 30 Blues Airplay and # 2 in UK IBBA Top 40.
In June 2023 Grainne Duffy new album “Dirt Woman Blues” is nominated for the annual Blues Blast Music Awards 2023 – “best blues-rock album”.