Today we are talking with Duff, a talented woman born in 1995 who lives in Caracas and tells us about her life in music!
Astrid: Since when were you interested in making music and what was the first instrument you learned to play?
Duff: My interest in music has been for as long as I can remember. Since childhood I remember using pencils to emulate the sound of drumsticks and a toy Four to pretend to play like Dimebag Darrell, listening to all kinds of music and paying attention to the lyrics without knowing what they were about was part of my development. And that’s how when I was 7 years old my dad gave me my first acoustic guitar. I was self-taught, I already had my first songs composed and that’s how I marked the instrument for life.
Astrid: What was the name of your first band and when was it formed?
Duff: Let’s see, when you are a teenager with a racing heart any small group of friends with common tastes, who do not even know how to play “Los Pollitos” and with dreams of being Rockstar take out a band every weekend and die on that same weekend HAHAHA!
But my first band as such was called Viperia, we played Hard Rock with Heavy Thrash airs. We didn’t last long, in those 2012-2013 we had our minds elsewhere.
Astrid: When was your first time playing with an audience?
Duff: The first time I faced my stage fright on stage was twice with the band of my spite: Bronkarmada.
It was that May 22, 2015, where I had double presentation. The first of that night was called “Soziedad LP presenta a… ” in the Cascabelero bar where we shared with the band Deskicio-Frenicos, and the second of that night was in the Frankgarden Bar, a few meters from the previous one, and was called “Gañotes Roncos” and we shared the stage with the bands Convoy, Etapontok, Pellejo and Desmoterion.
That night defined my destiny.
Astrid: What is the environment like for a girl guitarist?
Duff: Well, speaking in my case, I can say that it has not been so bad. I think I’ve been fortunate to be surrounded by very beautiful people (mostly surrounded by men) who have been very supportive in all walks of life.
However, I do not leave aside the fact that nothing is easy for women in this musical guild. A hostile guild, full of competition, envy, frustration and violence everywhere.
Being a woman guitarist of extreme music has not been anything new in Venezuela, but if you must be mature enough not to fall into the bad intentions of the human being, in having to have your eyes wide open and your feet on the ground to fulfill everything that is proposed, and continue transmitting the best of you with your instrument.
And without leaving this aside: there should not be a day that is not thanked to all those women who, being event producers, illustrators, graphic designers, managers, luthiers, journalists, editors, garment makers, etc., have worked so that extreme music bands and different musical cultures have the level of professionalism we know today.
Astrid: What other trades do you have outside of music? Tell us about them.
Duff: I currently work as a tattoo artist specializing in traditional blackwork tattooing. I also illustrate and do some sketches for some friends’ brands, and I’m a photography assistant when they need me. But the truth, the other activities and trades I do have to do with music, so only those three can be said to be the only ones outside of it HAHAHA!
Astrid: What bands do you currently play with?
Duff: I’m currently playing with the bands Tukuca Zakayama (T.Z) and 7Balazos.
Astrid: Have you done collaborations with other bands?
Duff: Let’s see, when you tell me “collaborations” I guess it means some featuring with a band. But if you mean that, not really.
Now, let’s say that “Behind the scenes” if I have collaborated a lot with many bands, from their presentations, illustrations, flyers, even compositions. I usually give away even riff or songs that I know I will never play, also in going to their rehearsals and giving them all the support I can give them.
If you don’t believe me, go to Berenjena Studio and you’ll see me at any sister band’s rehearsals trying to equalize their amplifiers or recording a live HAHAHA!
Astrid: What is the goal or message of the bands you play for?
Duff: You have to keep in mind that in the two bands I play there is a different message because they are both totally different, even though they are punk.
As everyone already knows, for being a band of years, 7Balazos carries a message of disgust of the daily and mediocre life of the common Venezuelan accompanied by the Caracas lexicon, sarcasm, and alcohol as the essence of Punk rock.
In the case of T.Z the message is strong since it is a protest band, and as every protest band it does not have a pleasant message. We know that Venezuelans do not like to be told what is evident, especially if it is the current situation in the country. However, T.Z shows the opinion and vision of a frustrated, tired Venezuelan, who sees how many die unjustly while his stomach rings for the days he has not eaten. In addition to the fact that the band does not execute punk rock, it executes D-Beat and that is why it differentiates from one to the other.
Astrid: What do you think is the social impact that your artistic work can cause?
Duff: When I create something with my label, fanzine, event or band, the first thing I propose is that it is not more of the same, and if it is something that has already been done I make sure that it is the most authentic in its essence. Of course, without believing me neither more nor less than anyone.
The result of the things I have done has been controversial for the fact that it was least expected of a young woman born in 95 who carries countercultural Metalpunk as an emblem.
And I want more young women like me to be motivated to do many things in the future, equal to or better than I have done so far. Let them see that there are no limits, and if they see limits? That they feel that they can break them with their creativity and dedication no matter what topic it is, if it is metal, if it is punk, if it is political activism, if it is in defense of our rights, whatever the subject but that they do it without fear of anything.
For my part I will continue to create, make and disseminate my music in the different forms that exist.
If Venezuela is able to open up and pay detailed attention to what one does, possibly the impact will be food for thought.
Astrid: Would you do this for life?
Duff: Absolutely. I don’t doubt it for a second.
It has been a pleasure for me to talk with Duff today, if you want to know more about her you can follow her on her social networks!
Social media:Instagram:
@duff_thrasher_fromhell
@tukucasakayama
@7balazos