“Clock’s tickin’ don’t be chicken – Going, going, gone y’all better start livin’ – Get up, get out, why ask why – Go Fast, Don’t Die….” is how Emily Duff kicks off the first track, “Go Fast, Don’t Die” from her brand new record, Razor Blade Smile, to be released via Duff’s label, Mr. Mudshow Music on July 23rd.
With the world turned upside down and unable to tour her previous record, Emily decided she was “gonna shake the whole damn world until the change falls out…..” and Razor Blade Smile was born. Produced by Eric “Roscoe” Ambel, who also produced Born on the Ground(2020), which “recalled the confessional sides of Rosanne Cash and Michelle Shocked, tinged with the feistiness of the Bottle Rockets and Dan Baird,” states American Songwriter, returns to do what he does best and the result is ten brand-new, killer songs that prove once again that Emily Duff is a songwriter’s songwriter; delivering hooks, riffs, lyrics and grooves that hang with the classics in your Desert Island Disc Collection.
Emily Duff’s small-batch brand of sweet and sour Rock & Roll, with a great big hit of country soul, digs deep, weaving a patchwork of sin, tragedy, romance and regret that lies at your feet begging to be mended & tended without an ounce of pity. A dark optimist, Emily Duff is a unique voice at a crazy & crucial time. A prolific songwriter and humble servant of song, Emily was born in Flushing Queens, NYC, and raised by a pack of cigarettes. Her Mama taught her four perfect chords and then ran off, leaving Emily to figure the rest out on her own.
Razor Blade Smile is a perfect mix of Punk Rock Poetry and Contemplative Country Soul that stirs the core of every living, breathing human in need of a personal anthem for these times. Truly Americana at its root, Razor Blade Smile personifies the grit and tenacity that we wear while facing the tragic but true realities of the dreams that become nightmares and the barbed wire grin that cuts through the adversity to keep those high heels moving forward.
Emily Duff resides in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village with her husband, two teenage children, a hound dog named Banjo, and at least a dozen guitars, all in 340 square feet of 3rd-floor walk-up, tenement style livin’. She is grateful to play music with legends, and when this pandemic is all over, she would like to have all her friends around for lunch.
Today Glide is excited to premiere Duff’s video for “Another Goodbye,” a standout track on the new album that also features guitar contributions from Eric “Roscoe” Ambel. Accompanied by a bluesy and soulful sound, Duff sings with a drippy conviction as she lyrically reflects on what it means to say goodbye. Subtle organ and twangy guitar make for a rootsy and reflective rocker that poignantly captures feelings shared by many of us.
Duff describes the inspiration behind the song and the video:
“Another Goodbye” is a song that I wrote during the first few days of Pandemic lockdown that ties together so many aspects of saying goodbye to life, love & connection as we knew it, once upon a time. Goodbye is such a common word in our everyday vocabulary and yet it comes in so many different packages, wrapped with bows & barbed wire, intertwined, making it difficult to assess the gravity of the situation as it’s happening, leaving you breathless & bleeding. Another goodbye never gets easier. Another goodbye always leaves a mark. Another goodbye often times hits us on the head in that numb and dumb spot, rising again like a shipwreck pulled up from the depths when the moon pulls up the tide and the sea gives up her debris.
This video was made by myself and my husband, film editor, Skip Duff using still images by the wonderfully talented photographer, Charles Chessler. As an artist, I am always inspired by the idea of collaborating with other artists to create something completely new that was birthed by an already existing work. In this case, Skip & I utilized still photos from a session I did with Charles to create a visual storyline for my song. Charles Chessler’s photos are always so full of narrative and emotion. He sees what others might not want to see. Skip’s ability to bring the still photos to life to match the energy of the song makes it all feel alive & vibrant, full of attitude and on the brink of just Another Goodbye.
WATCH:
Emily Duff’s Razor Blade Smile will be released on Mr. Mudshow Music, July 23rd
Photo credit: Charles Chessler
