The twist of fate that marks out a favourite son or daughter to rise from the depths of a small seaside community in the North of Wales is hard to fathom. Duffy seems to have been chosen to sing. From her earliest memories, she just knew her destiny. She was going to be a singer.

Watch “Rockferry” video + single review!

In August 2004, Duffy came to the attention of Rough Trade’s Jeannette Lee who became both her manager and her mentor. Just as Vicki Wickham guided Dusty Springfield to the best musical collaborations of the day; or Jerry Wexler and Ahmet Ertegun helped Aretha find her true voice in the Muscle Shoals Memphis studio; Rough Trade pointed Duffy in the direction of Bernard Butler in London’s Crouch End.

The fruit of their very first musical session is “Rockferry” which set the tone and musical direction of the album. Duffy spent the next couple years honing and developing her songwriting skills all the while discovering hidden musical gems that inspired her.

The results will be unveiled with her forthcoming album next year but for now we have the single “Rockferry” available to download from November l9th, 2007 and released as a 2-track 7″ vinyl December 3rd on A&M.

The Observer Music Monthly said of “Rockferry” – “it makes the hairs on the back of your neck prickle with it’s bewitching grace”.

Duffy says “There’s a side of me that’s trying to hold it together but then there’s a side of me that just wants to scream, run out onstage and say “I’m here!”

Watch Syrup & Honey video with Duffy and Bernard recording in the studio:

Duffy Syrup and Honey video link

Duffy Official Website

“Run-Away” is the second single to be taken from the Super Furry Animals‘ latest and highly acclaimed album, ‘Hey Venus!’ and is set for release in the UK on October 29, 2007 on Rough Trade. A clear stand out from the start and drawing praise from many an LP review, it boasts a chorus worthy of any home stereo, festival soundsystem or radio playlist.

The single comes complete with new tracks “These Bones” and “That’s What I’m Talking About”.

“Run-Away, a regretful admission of reluctance to confront troublesome situations, is a fine piece featuring the Spector-esque dynamic of Rhys’s harmonies tumbling through the chorus, over a block of declamatory drums, tambourine, percussion and massed guitars.” **** The Independent

With universal love for this band not showing any signs of easing up, taking in an extremely prolific 11 year career, SFA continue to go from strength to strength offering up a wealth of musical craftsmanship and inventiveness many would give their right arm to possess.

“In an exhibition of quality control almost unparalleled in modern music, Super Furry Animals have never made a bad album. Into this enviable back catalogue Hey Venus! Arrives as the band’s most immediate, accessible record yet.” – Sunday Times Culture

Watch Super Furry Animals – “Run-Away” video:

Windows: Low | High

Real: Low | High

Having put in the hours at this year’s summer festivals, Super Furry Animals live showdown continues apace. Their ‘Hey Venus!’ 2007 UK tour begins on October 16 and climaxes at two shows at London’s Roundhouse in early November.

Super Furry Animals tour dates:

Dates could change! Go to Super Furry Animals’ Official Website for the latest tour dates and information.

October 2007

16th Dublin – Vicar street
17th Belfast – Mandela hall
19th Liverpool – Carling Academy
22nd Nottingham – Rock City
25th Southampton – Guildhall
26th Oxford – Carling Academy
28th Birmingham – Academy
29th Bristol – Academy
30th Leeds – Town Hall

November 2007

2nd London – Roundhouse
3rd London – Roundhouse

Some further praise for ‘Hey Venus!’:

“‘Hey Venus!’ is a fantastic pop record. It squirts at the seams with many of the greatest moments of the Furries’ career – a career that could still be yet to peak. Today and for years to come, people will discover ‘Definitely Maybe’ and ‘Everything Must Go’ and fall in love with the bands that made them. But while it’s hard to imagine your younger sibling going nuts for Oasis after hearing ‘Don’t Believe The Truth’, melodies on ‘Hey Venus!’ are certain to ensnare new hearts in a way hardly any bands who’ve been around as long as the Furries can.” 8/10 NME – Album Of The Week

“Intricate and optimistic with the sunshine cut by delicious clouds of questioning melancholy, (Hey Venus!) reaffirms SFA’s position as one of the few genuinely populist, genuinely cult acts in the UK” – Plan B

“These Welsh super heroes continue to shame lesser outfits with their fluency, imagination and easy depths…if ever there was a record to restate the loveliness of the Furries with loud punctuation, Hey Venus! is it” Observer Review – Album Of The Week

Super Furry Animals Official Website
Super Furry Animals on Myspace