Duffy

From Gwynedd in North Wales, Aimee Duffy was raised in a Welsh-speaking family and was inspired to sing after watching video tapes of the 1960s TV show Ready Steady Go, which may account for the retro nature of her early hits. She had a troubled upbringing after her parents' divorce, but sang in local bands, spent a year in Switzerland working with writer/producer Souren Mounir, and was runner-up in a Welsh TV talent show. This led to the release of a self-titled EP which in turn resulted in her recording backing vocals with Mint Royale. In 2008, with help from Bernard Butler and David McAlmont, Duffy released her debut album Rockferry, which inspired a hail of press and unwanted comparisons to the late blonde icon Dusty Springfield. The album became the UK's biggest seller of 2008, producing the hit singles Mercy, Stepping Stone and Warwick Avenue, and winning the Mastercard British Album award at the 2009 BRITs.