Interview: tmBlog chats to singer-songwriter Grainne Duffy

We chat Irish singer-songwriter, Grainne Duffy, ahead of her Belfast and Dublin gigs next month.

What has been the best moment of your career so far?
I think so far there have been a few. Playing Glastonbury was amazing but also playing the Dark season festival in Svalbard, in the Arctic Circle was fantastic too as I am a huge animal lover.
How do you engage with your fans?
Via Facebook and Twitter but mostly through my music live and on record really like all artists I’d say?
Did you have an idol when you were growing up?
Yes, lots of idols and artist inspired me growing up. I used to listen to lots of music by The Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac and old blues artists like Muddy Watters and B.B. King. I fell in love with the blues and soulful style of singing through listening to people like Etta James and Aretha Franklin.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love nature so I try to spend as much time as I can outdoors and with animals. I also love running and keeping fit. And of course I love to go and see live music as often as I can too.
How do you prepare to go on stage?
Well usually it is all go not he day of a gig but if I can I try to warm up my voice a little and my fingers too on the guitar and then loosen up by walking around and try to get in the mood for a gig. Get the adrenaline pumping.
What is your favourite song you have recorded?
Oh that is too hard to say….. I like different songs in different ways…
If you had to choose one of your records to play all of the time, which one would it be?
Not sure if you mean from my record collection… but if so it would probably be Rumours by Fleetwood Mac, a true classic or Carole King’s Tapestry. I never get tired of those albums.