Patrick Duff
Encyclopedia
Patrick Duff is an English singer-songwriter, and was the lead singer of the alternative rock band Strangelove
.
After Strangelove ended, Patrick briefly formed another band, Moon, who split up after nine months and released one single, "Anaesthesia". Then for two years Patrick lived somewhere in a forest outside Bristol. Between 2000 and 2004 he went on to travel the world as a solo artist with WOMAD Festival, collaborating with a number of artists, most notably the then 81-year-old veteran African master storyteller and musician Madosini
, with whom he lived and worked in the township of Langa
, in Cape Town
, South Africa.
On returning to the UK, Patrick released his first solo album Luxury Problems
, produced by Adrian Utley
of Portishead and Alex Lee
(Goldfrapp/ Placebo /Suede/ Strangelove). The album was released on EMI’s legendary Harvest Records
label – once home to Patrick’s childhood hero Syd Barrett
– in June 2005.
The following year Patrick was commissioned by Bristol City Council to write a Christmas choral symphony, intended for a one-off exclusive performance at Bristol Cathedral
, which he subsequently recorded over six weeks in Salt Lake City, Utah. The 90-minute piece, entitled "Seven Sermons To The Dead", was considered inappropriate by the council and was never staged.
In 2009, he began work on his second solo album, The Mad Straight Road, a collection of 12 songs which Patrick describes as “a synthesis of some of the music that has shaped my life – stuff like Disney soundtracks, the Beatles, the Kinks, Bob Dylan, Nick Cave and Johnny Cash – it all went right into the heart of me and came back sounding like this”.
The album features, alongside Patrick, a host of acclaimed musicians, including drummer Damon Reece
of Massive Attack
, pianist John Baggott (of Robert Plant
's Sweet Sensation, Massive Attack
and Portishead), Phantom Limb
’s bass player Dan Brown (who also provided backing vocals) and pianist Dan Moore, members of the London Philharmonic Orchestra
and Alex Lee
, who plays the bowed saw
on "Dead Man Singing". The Mad Straight Road was produced by Stew Jackson, who also added guitars, banjo, pedal steel, drums, percussion, harmonica, harpsichord and backing vocals, and recorded at Robot Club Studios in Bristol. It was released in early 2010. Since 2010 Patrick has began to play many concerts in Europe as a one man show where he has gathered a large and growing following.
Strangelove (band)
Strangelove were an English alternative rock band, formed in Bristol in 1991 and led by singer Patrick Duff. They released three albums before splitting up in 1998.-History:...
.
Biography
Patrick Duff was born in Bristol, England, to an Irish father and a Welsh mother on 30 June 1966. After dropping out of school and spending time as a street busker, he became lead singer of the alternative rock band Strangelove, who were signed to Food, Parlophone/EMI. The band released three critically acclaimed albums, Time For The Rest of Your Life, Love and Other Demons and Strangelove between 1991 and 1998.After Strangelove ended, Patrick briefly formed another band, Moon, who split up after nine months and released one single, "Anaesthesia". Then for two years Patrick lived somewhere in a forest outside Bristol. Between 2000 and 2004 he went on to travel the world as a solo artist with WOMAD Festival, collaborating with a number of artists, most notably the then 81-year-old veteran African master storyteller and musician Madosini
Madosini
Madosini Latozi Mpahleni is a South African musician, known for playing traditional instruments such as the uhadi and mhrubhe musical bows, and the isitolotolo. She performs under the name Madosini, and is regarded as a "national treasure" in her field. Madosini speaks only isiXhosa and is unable...
, with whom he lived and worked in the township of Langa
Langa, Cape Town
Langa is a suburb found in Cape Town, South Africa. It was established in 1927 interms of the 1923 Urban Areas Act. Similar to Nyanga, Langa is one of the many areas in South Africa that were designated for Black Africans before the apartheid era. It is the oldest of such suburbs in Cape Town and...
, in Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
, South Africa.
On returning to the UK, Patrick released his first solo album Luxury Problems
Luxury Problems
Luxury Problems is the first album by English singer Patrick Duff.-Track listing:#"Married With Kids"#"Mirror Man"#"Fucked"#"In My Junkie Clothes"#"Song to America"#"Early Morning Birds"#"DJ Yoga"#"King of the Underworld"#"Refrigerator"...
, produced by Adrian Utley
Adrian Utley
Adrian Francis Utley is an English musician and a member of the band Portishead.-Biography:Utley is self-taught on guitar, bass and keyboards, and played professionally from the age of 18 in working men's clubs, night clubs, holiday camps, and in cabaret, backing soul artists...
of Portishead and Alex Lee
Alex Lee
Alex Lee is an English musician. Lee is a multi-instrumentalist who has played guitar and keyboards for Goldfrapp, Strangelove, Suede, Placebo and The Blue Aeroplanes amongst others...
(Goldfrapp/ Placebo /Suede/ Strangelove). The album was released on EMI’s legendary Harvest Records
Harvest Records
-References:* Harvest Records collectors guide ISBN 978-5-9622-0021-7...
label – once home to Patrick’s childhood hero Syd Barrett
Syd Barrett
Syd Barrett , born Roger Keith Barrett, was an English singer-songwriter, guitarist, and painter, best remembered as a founding member of the band Pink Floyd. He was the lead vocalist, guitarist and primary songwriter during the band's psychedelic years, providing major musical and stylistic...
– in June 2005.
The following year Patrick was commissioned by Bristol City Council to write a Christmas choral symphony, intended for a one-off exclusive performance at Bristol Cathedral
Bristol Cathedral
The Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity is the Church of England cathedral in the city of Bristol, England, and is commonly known as Bristol Cathedral...
, which he subsequently recorded over six weeks in Salt Lake City, Utah. The 90-minute piece, entitled "Seven Sermons To The Dead", was considered inappropriate by the council and was never staged.
In 2009, he began work on his second solo album, The Mad Straight Road, a collection of 12 songs which Patrick describes as “a synthesis of some of the music that has shaped my life – stuff like Disney soundtracks, the Beatles, the Kinks, Bob Dylan, Nick Cave and Johnny Cash – it all went right into the heart of me and came back sounding like this”.
The album features, alongside Patrick, a host of acclaimed musicians, including drummer Damon Reece
Damon Reece
Damon Reece is an English drummer, who has been a member of Spiritualized, Echo & the Bunnymen and Lupine Howl.-Biography:Growing up in Croydon, Reece moved to Liverpool at the age of eighteen and played in various local bands...
of Massive Attack
Massive Attack
Massive Attack are an English DJ and trip hop duo from Bristol, England consisting of Robert "3D" Del Naja and Grant "Daddy G" Marshall. Working with co-producers, as well as various session musicians and guest vocalists, they make records and tour live. The duo are considered to be of the trip...
, pianist John Baggott (of Robert Plant
Robert Plant
Robert Anthony Plant, CBE is an English singer and songwriter best known as the vocalist and lyricist of the iconic rock band Led Zeppelin. He has also had a successful solo career...
's Sweet Sensation, Massive Attack
Massive Attack
Massive Attack are an English DJ and trip hop duo from Bristol, England consisting of Robert "3D" Del Naja and Grant "Daddy G" Marshall. Working with co-producers, as well as various session musicians and guest vocalists, they make records and tour live. The duo are considered to be of the trip...
and Portishead), Phantom Limb
Phantom Limb (Band)
Phantom Limb are an English country/soul band from Bristol, England.The band released their debut single, "Don't Say A Word" and self titled album in August 2008...
’s bass player Dan Brown (who also provided backing vocals) and pianist Dan Moore, members of the London Philharmonic Orchestra
London Philharmonic Orchestra
The London Philharmonic Orchestra , based in London, is one of the major orchestras of the United Kingdom, and is based in the Royal Festival Hall. In addition, the LPO is the main resident orchestra of the Glyndebourne Festival Opera...
and Alex Lee
Alex Lee
Alex Lee is an English musician. Lee is a multi-instrumentalist who has played guitar and keyboards for Goldfrapp, Strangelove, Suede, Placebo and The Blue Aeroplanes amongst others...
, who plays the bowed saw
Musical saw
A musical saw, also called a singing saw, is the application of a hand saw as a musical instrument. The sound creates an ethereal tone, very similar to the theremin...
on "Dead Man Singing". The Mad Straight Road was produced by Stew Jackson, who also added guitars, banjo, pedal steel, drums, percussion, harmonica, harpsichord and backing vocals, and recorded at Robot Club Studios in Bristol. It was released in early 2010. Since 2010 Patrick has began to play many concerts in Europe as a one man show where he has gathered a large and growing following.