Limerick native singer-songwriter Laura Duff makes a strong debut with her new single, "Up To You." The single, which was recorded and produced by Christian Best of Monique Studios, Co. Cork and mastered by Richard Dowling from WAV Mastering is the first track to be dropped from Duff's upcoming EP For Your Company, slated for release in late January 2019. Duff, who is now based out of Cork, is joined on the recording by JJ Lee (Bass), Christopher O'Sullivan (Drums) and Cónal Murphy (Guitar).
It’s always a pleasure to support Irish acts, and Duff makes it easy. With whimsical, atmospheric yet almost eerie vocals, “Up To You” is reminiscent almost of a siren song, and I for one was ready to follow Duff anywhere. The instrumental is just as incredible, wonderfully blending a relaxed bassline and the crunching guitar that leads into the chorus.
We asked Laura about her experience recording the EP. “We spent a week in the studio in May, and another week in October, Christian also produced the tracks - he brought them to life! The studio was extremely developmental for us in terms of finding our sound and experimenting with different instruments…The songs, that I’ve had with me for a few years now, really took on a new life during recording, into a sound I never would have imagined before. I’m really proud of the EP as a whole, it was an all-round amazing experience, I’m so lucky to get to make music and perform with such close friends.”
The EP has clearly been a highly collaborative work, with local Cork artist Martha Lyons designing the EP artwork. The EP release is not Duff’s only plan for the next year - she plans to join the festival circuit in the following year. “Up To You” is available across all streaming platforms, and her next single “The Other Side”, due out next month.
**This article was originally published in Volume 22 Issue 5 of the University Express, UCC on Tuesday 13th November, 2018**