ONE of the most anticipated performers at Abertillery Blues Festival next month will undoubtedly be Gráinne Duffy.

The 29 year old Irish singer-songwriter who lists the likes of John Mayall, Fleetwood Mac and The Rolling Stones among her influences creates the best in rock guitar sounds while at the same time showcasing a sensually husky vocal delivery.

Gráinne who hails from Castleblayney in Ireland found her way into music via her father’s record collection.

“My father had a love of country music, there was always a lot of it in the house, says Gráinne. “My sister started going out with a drummer and he was into Led Zeppelin and Fleetwood Mac and when I heard Peter Green play Need Your Love So Bad I just fell in love with the guitar and the sound of the tone and everything from that.”

Gráinne paid her dues playing in a band and gigging on the road. “I didn’t come from an X Factor culture I was out there doing it, learning to play live,” she says.

It was during this period Gráinne began singing her own outstanding interpretation of Etta James I’d Rather Go Blind, which she later recorded for her debut album Out Of the Dark.

“Someone suggested the song for the band and I was the only girl singer so they said, ‘Why don’t you sing it?’ Actually I didn’t overly know Etta’s version so I started singing it my way and that’s the way I sing it now, it was only afterwards I got to know Etta’s version.

That can sometimes be a good thing. When I did it, I did it from memory so I didn’t have an exact version in my head.”

Gráinne has built up a wealth of original material over the last eight years, much of which will be heard at the festival. Of her original compositions she feels the title track from her second album Test of Time sums her up the best: “It displays what the band sounds like live. If you listen to that you’ll have an idea what you’ll get when you come to see us, soul, blues and rock.”

I ask her if it’s difficult playing original material to new audiences? “It’s been my trump card” she replies.

“It defines you from the other acts. People know with Gráinne you’re not going to get covers your going to get who she is. It’s great to walk into a place and people know what they’re getting. No-one comes up to you and says ‘Do you do this song?’”

Gráinne plans to record her third album over the summer but confesses its not always easy getting into the studio while your constantly touring and promoting the previous release.

“You have to make hay when the sun shines and do things efficiently but we’re not always great at following routine,” she laughs.

In the meantime the tour will take precedent and fans can sample Gráinne and her band at Abertillery Blues Festival on July 13.

“I’m all about people having a good time,” she enthuses. “It’ll be fun rock- ’n’ roll and moments of heartfelt music, all from a different place but in a good way!”

  • Weekend tickets for July 12 and 13 are £40 from abertillerybluesfestival.co.uk or call 01495 355800. Friday, Saturday and blues club member tickets are available only through the box office. Camping is £10 per tent. There’s limited space for camper vans which needs to be booked in advance.