Gráinne Duffy Talks Latest Album, 2025 UK Tour And More

Irish blues singer-songwriter and guitarist Gráinne Duffy is making a welcome return to UK venues this March having conquered America. She very kindly spoke to JLTT about her latest album ‘Dirt Woman Blues’ and more:

When did you begin songwriting?

Well I started with my sisters in our first band and I was around 15 or 16 years old.

What is your earliest musical memory?

Listening to records at home. We had no T.V. growing up and we were pre internet family living in rural Ireland so that record player really has a strong place in my memory.

Your latest album ‘Dirt Woman Blues’ is out now. How did you want to approach the making of the album?

That was a really fun album to make and we recorded it in San Diego with some really fine musicians alongside my husband Paul Sherry we recorded it with Marc Ford, J.J. Johnson, Elijah Ford. It was at the end of a big PHD study I did on blues and the role of women like Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Bonnie Raitt and I really had put a lot of time in to discovering the life of these women and their lyrics and their songs and their hardships and I think that spilled in to that album as a fellow female artist and electric guitar player.

Where did you record the album and who produced it?

It was recorded in Encinitas, San Diego in a real old grungy studio that was a haunt for old MTV bands like Blink 182. The owner Paul had loads of cool old gear and we loved being in the countryside beside some lovely horse farms which reminded me of home. I grew up with horses so that was nice too although we were in the studio all day, every day while we were there. We had Chris Goldsmith co-produce it with Marc and Jimmy Hoyson engineered it. It was great to collaborate with those guys and work on it after a long lockdown culture, it felt great to be in the studio and playing live again.

Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the album recording sessions?

Well we did record one song, Rise in a bathroom as it had this incredible sound in it.

We loved just hanging outside in between takes and chatting together and Chris’ wife, Kat made a beautiful Fish Paella one day for us for lunch which was lovely.

Did you use any particular instruments, microphones, recording equipment to help you get a particular sound/tone for the record?

Well we had the tone king there, Marc Ford. His guitar playing is synonymous with tone. I loved hearing him get great guitar tones in the studio and his rhythm playing is something I love too. Paul, my husband also got some really cool ideas with an Irish inflection out of this very strange little bouzouki type guitar instrument which was in the studio. That was the bathroom song!

One of the tracks is the title track single. What was the story/inspiration behind the track?

It really was inspired by the blueswomen like Rosetta Tharpe, Memphis Minnie, Victoria Spivey and many others who really were so important to the genre and often taught their sons to play guitar, like Freddie King’s mother but who are often forgotten. Hence the title ‘Dirt Woman Blues’.

Was it a difficult album to write?

No, it actually came quite quickly that one!

Which of your new album tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?

Well I have actually written and recorded a new album in L.A.

It is really a reflection of my current situation as a woman, as an artist, as a mother and as a person in this modern world. I am not sure which tracks really reflect those moods for other people but for example, Reflective could be a song like ‘Where I Belong’, happy could be ‘Test of Time’ and angry could be something like ‘What am I supposed to Do’ from my new album.

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

Helped people escape from a moment in time and be lost in music. Lost myself in the music and got some good medicinal music soul food for myself too. I always try to be as honest as possible on stage and leave it all there, however I am feeling. Lighten the load.

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?

Not really, I’m very simplistic that way. A good Fender map, my Gibson guitar or a Tele and a SM58 usually works every time.

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

Castleblayney, Monaghan

Tranquil, Quirky, Picturesque, Rural and Irish.

How do you look after your voice?

I try to just be mindful of not overusing it when I don’t need to, drink lots of water and rest when I can better than I used to, sleep, sleep and sleep when I get it. Simple vocal warm ups from a great coach Irene Dunne.

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?

Oh boy…. I think All the Pretty Horses maybe by Cormac McCarthy.

Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?

Yes of course far too many. I love old the classic things like The Stones, The Beatles, John Lee Hooker, Skip James, Bonnie Raitt, Neil Young etc. I love singers especially Aretha Franklin and Linda Ronstadt. And I also love jazz like Miles Davis and John Coltrane. I listen to so much music and I love contemporary blues, rock and roots bands like Alabama Shakes and The Raconteurs.

Do you have any live dates planned in the UK/Europe in 2025?

Yes, I have a full UK tour starting February. www.grainneduffy.com

Who is in your touring band?

I have a lot of different musicians I play with in different territories but for the UK I am using some Irish musicians I have worked with for a long time, Davy Watson on bass and Ross Bickerstaff on drums and of course my husband Paul Sherry on guitar and vocals.

What makes Gráinne Duffy happy and what makes you unhappy?

Happiness is time at home with my family, my kids, my cat and in my home just being relaxed and taking life in…..

Unhappiness is being stressed and conflict with others. I hate when I am stuck in on going conflicts artistically or just life conflicts. That is what makes me unhappy.