Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Meg Duffy

Meg Duffy is an American guitarist, singer-songwriter, and record producer, best known for their solo project Hand Habits, through which they have released critically acclaimed albums blending folk-rock, chamber-pop, and psychedelic elements. Born and raised in upstate New York, Duffy grew up in Amsterdam near Albany and began playing guitar as a teenager, initially exploring improvisational music and drawing early influences from artists like Jeff Beck. After starting Hand Habits as a four-piece psychedelic rock band in the early 2010s, Duffy relocated to Los Angeles in 2015 and transitioned the project to a solo endeavor, releasing their debut album Wildly Idle (Humble Before the Void) in 2017 on Woodsist Records. Duffy's career has been marked by extensive session and touring work as a guitarist, contributing to albums by prominent indie artists including (as a current band member), The War on Drugs, , , , , and (as a longtime collaborator). Their distinctive style—characterized by elegant riffs and textured soundscapes—has earned praise for elevating the recordings of these artists, with features on projects like 's And in the Darkness, Hearts Aglow (2022), 's Squeeze (2022), and 's With (2020). Under the Hand Habits moniker, Duffy has built a discography of introspective and emotionally resonant work, including Placeholder (2019, Saddle Creek Records), Fun House (2021, Saddle Creek Records), the EP Sugar the Bruise (2023, Fat Possum Records), and singles like "Motherless" and "No Reply" (2021, Sub Pop Records). Their most recent album, Blue Reminder (2025, Fat Possum Records), explores themes of enduring romance, self-acceptance, and personal transformation, informed by Duffy's experiences as a trans nonbinary person four years into hormone replacement therapy at age 35. Beyond Hand Habits, Duffy has collaborated on instrumental projects such as Doubles with Gregory Uhlmann (2023, Orindal Records), showcasing their versatility as a composer and producer.

Early life and background

Childhood and musical influences

Meg Duffy was born in 1990 in , and spent their early years in , where the family relocated frequently between small towns including , , and Schenectady. Growing up in these isolated rural and semi-rural communities, Duffy described themselves as a in terms of cultural and artistic exposure, with limited access to diverse until their later teens, which ultimately encouraged a deep, introspective approach to creative self-discovery. Duffy first engaged with music through percussion, beginning to play drums in the fifth grade as part of school activities and local ensembles. This early interest evolved during high school, when, at around age 17, they transitioned to guitar, picking up the instrument to join local cover bands performing songs by artists such as Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Weezer, and Sum 41. Largely self-taught on guitar after initial experimentation, Duffy's skills developed through informal jamming and gigging in the Capital Region's DIY scene. A pivotal exposure came from a part-time job at Hermie's Music Store in the area, where coworkers introduced Duffy to a broader palette of sounds, including hardcore punk and indie rock acts that expanded their horizons beyond mainstream rock covers. These encounters shaped formative influences, with Duffy later citing enduring inspirations like Neil Young for their raw, emotive songwriting and Big Star for intricate pop structures, which informed an emerging interest in blending folk, rock, and experimental elements. By around 2013, this groundwork led to initial involvement in the local psychedelic rock scene, including early iterations of what would become the Hand Habits project, formed amid collaborative sessions at Schenectady County Community College.

Education and early career moves

Following high school graduation, Duffy enrolled at Schenectady County Community College in , where they pursued a two-year program in guitar performance within a jazz-focused curriculum. As the only female student in the guitar cohort, Duffy immersed themselves in rigorous practice, often prioritizing musical studies over other coursework, which significantly advanced their technical skills and deepened their appreciation for collaborative playing. This formal training, combined with early jazz pickup gigs in the , laid the groundwork for Duffy's transition from self-taught roots to structured musical development. After completing their studies around 2011, Duffy relocated to nearby , to engage more actively in the local music scene, joining up to ten bands and participating in house shows and DIY events that emphasized communal support over individual spotlight. In , they experimented with initial recordings, such as the 2012 cassette Small Shifts—a split release with —captured using a friend's basic setup in a home environment, reflecting an emerging DIY ethos of resourcefulness and intimacy honed through college friendships and regional collaborations. This period also marked Duffy's first significant networking milestone when their band Better Pills opened for in the summer of 2015, leading to an invitation to join his touring ensemble as a guitarist that fall. In 2015, Duffy made the pivotal move to to commit to Morby's band, immersing themselves in the city's vibrant indie scene through early solo performances and informal connections that expanded their professional circle. This relocation coincided with personal identity shifts in the mid-2010s, including Duffy's adoption of pronouns (they/them) and greater openness about their experiences, which intertwined with career transitions like balancing session opportunities and solo projects under Hand Habits. These early LA gigs, often in intimate venues, built on the DIY principles from —such as basement recordings for Hand Habits' debut album Wildly Idle (Humble Before the Void) using borrowed equipment—fostering a resilient approach to music-making amid frequent relocations.

Professional career

Session and touring work

Duffy joined Kevin Morby's live band as second guitarist in 2015, contributing to extensive touring across the and contributing guitar, , and to his 2017 album City Music. The collaboration stemmed from a strong onstage chemistry during Morby's tours, leading Duffy to relocate to and continue as a core band member through 2018, while balancing session work between dates. During this period, Duffy also opened for Morby as Hand Habits on select shows, blending supporting and solo roles. Since 2020, Duffy has served as a touring for , appearing on live recordings and performances that highlight their intricate, atmospheric guitar lines. This ongoing role includes contributions to sets supporting albums like Set My Heart on Fire Immediately, with Duffy providing key textures in tracks such as "" during KEXP sessions and full-band tours. The partnership has evolved through shared stages, including cross-country runs in the early 2020s, emphasizing Duffy's ability to adapt to 's blend of piano-driven ballads and . In 2025, Duffy contributed to 's album . In the studio, Duffy's guitar work gained prominence on The War on Drugs' 2017 album A Deeper Understanding, where they played slide guitar on tracks like "Holding On," adding a soaring, vocal-like melody that defined the song's epic build. The album, which won the Grammy for Best Rock Album in 2018, showcased Duffy's nimble phrasing amid the band's expansive soundscapes. Earlier, Duffy contributed slide guitar to Weyes Blood's 2016 album Front Row Seat to Earth, co-writing and soloing on "Seven Words" to enhance its haunting, ethereal quality. Duffy's session contributions extended to SASAMI's 2022 album Squeeze, where they played guitar on "The Greatest," infusing the track with raw, distorted energy amid its nu-metal influences. Additional collaborations include touring guitar duties with starting in the late 2010s, supporting their live expansions on albums like , and the 2022 Hand Habits single "Greatest Weapon," featuring backing vocals from members and Nick Sanborn. While direct touring with remains unconfirmed, Duffy has intersected with the band through shared producers like Andrew Sarlo and drummer James Krivchenia, who contributed to Duffy's projects in the early 2020s. Throughout the 2020s, Duffy's touring has featured DIY cross-country drives as Hand Habits, including early van tours to promote EPs and albums, often opening for acts like and . These adventures, marked by intimate venues and regional loops from to the East Coast, underscore Duffy's roots in grassroots performance amid the indie circuit's recovery post-pandemic.

Formation and development of Hand Habits

Hand Habits originated in around 2012–2013 as a four-piece band led by Meg Duffy on vocals and guitar, alongside members including Craig Dutra. The project emerged from Duffy's time studying at Schenectady County , where it began as a fluid collaboration influenced by , hardcore, and , drawing from local scenes and associations like the band Aficionado. Early activities included DIY-style touring and the release of an EP under the Saratoga-based independent label Eschatone Records, marking an initial rock-oriented phase with pop elements reminiscent of . By 2017, Hand Habits had evolved into Duffy's solo vehicle following their move to Los Angeles in 2015 and immersion in session and touring work, such as joining Kevin Morby's band. What started as a private songwriting outlet amid demanding collaborative roles transformed into a primary creative space for personal expression, shifting from ensemble to a more intimate solo folk-rock and chamber-pop style. This transition allowed Duffy to prioritize songwriting as a means of processing experiences, providing emotional release while balancing extensive studio commitments. Thematically, Hand Habits' lyrics have progressively delved into explorations of fluid identity, interpersonal relationships, and persistent anxiety, reflecting Duffy's perspective and personal growth across project phases. Early works touched on relational dynamics and self-doubt, while later phases emphasized forgiveness, loss, and the interplay between joy and underlying unease, often framed through intimate, confessional narratives. Reflecting its maturation, Hand Habits underwent significant label shifts, debuting the full-length album Wildly Idle (Humble Before the Void) on Woodsist Records in 2017 before moving to Saddle Creek for placeholder (2019) and Fun House (2021), and subsequently to Fat Possum for Sugar the Bruise (2023) and Blue Reminder (2025). In terms of live presentation, the project initially featured full band configurations for performances in its early era. Post-2019, it adapted to solo tours emphasizing Duffy's guitar and vocals, alongside flexible band setups for select dates, enabling broader reach through openings for artists like and independent headline runs across and .

Hand Habits discography and releases

Debut and early albums (2017–2019)

Meg Duffy released their debut album as Hand Habits, Wildly Idle (Humble Before the Void), on February 10, 2017, through Woodsist Records. The album blends folk-rock elements with experimental touches, featuring intimate songwriting that explores vulnerability and submission to uncertainty, drawing influences from artists like and . Key tracks such as "Flower Glass" and "Actress" highlight Duffy's gentle guitar work and ethereal atmospheres, including spoken-word poems by collaborators like Kayla Ephros. The record was largely self-produced and recorded in Duffy's apartment, incorporating DIY methods with minimal assistance from contributors like Sheridan Riley and producer M. Geddes Gengras, which contributed to its raw, homemade-pop aesthetic. This lo-fi approach allowed for a dreamy, exploratory sound that captured Duffy's transition from session work to solo expression. Critics praised the album's open-ended intimacy, with awarding it a 7.6 for its joyous study in emotional exposure. In 2019, Duffy followed up with on Saddle Creek Records, released on , marking a shift toward more structured production while delving into themes of emotional fragility, non-normative relationships, and personal accountability. Recorded partly at Justin Vernon's April Base studio in with producer Brad Cook, the album incorporates soft guitars, slide elements, and harmonious vocals for a wistful Americana style with subtle pop distortions. Standout tracks like "" and "" exemplify its direct on and desire, earning acclaim for greater clarity and in Duffy's voice, including a 7.3 from . These early releases were supported by active touring, with Duffy performing over 40 shows in 2017 alone, including multiple sets at SXSW that year to promote the debut. The 2019 album spurred further momentum, with 83 concerts that included festival slots and singles like "," helping establish Hand Habits as a prominent voice in indie folk-rock.

Mid-career albums and EPs (2020–2021)

In 2020, amid the isolation of the , Meg Duffy released two collaborative singles under the Hand Habits moniker. "Pictures of Flowers," featuring Jess Williamson, emerged on June 24 as part of Mexican Summer's series, capturing themes of fear, uncertainty, and newfound clarity in through its synth-driven melancholy and shared vocals. Similarly, "Comfortable," a collaboration with producer Ryan Woods under the project, arrived in November, blending dissociative dream-pop elements to explore emotional stasis during lockdown. The following year marked a prolific period for Hand Habits with the release of the EP dirt on February 19 via , consisting of two original tracks—"4th of July" and "Dirt"—plus a digital-exclusive of a prior song. Recorded primarily at home, the EP delves into vulnerability through its raw, lo-fi textures, emphasizing the symbiotic interplay between destruction and creation, as Duffy's lyrics evoke personal demolition and rebirth amid simmering chaos and beauty. Later in 2021, Duffy launched the collaborative project with producer Joel Ford, releasing a self-titled album on July 30 through Driftless Recordings; this transitional work integrates Duffy's introspective songwriting with Ford's experimental production, touching on relational dynamics and identity through tracks like "Craggy" and "All the Same." Hand Habits also released the singles "Motherless" b/w "No Reply" on September 14 via Records. Hand Habits' third full-length album, Fun House, followed on October 22, also on Saddle Creek, produced by Ashworth with remote contributions from collaborators including on the track "Just to Hear You." The record highlights themes of emotional vulnerability and homebound introspection, shifting from folkier roots to poppier arrangements with fuller instrumentation like woodwinds and digital pulses, all recorded in a shared house during pandemic restrictions. A companion collection of demos and live recordings, Fun House: Blueprints, was planned alongside the album to underscore its raw, home-studio origins, though formally issued the next year. Reception for Fun House was strong, earning a 7.8 from , which praised its stark lyrics confronting past trauma—like Duffy's mother's —and its assured emotional depth as a creative breakthrough. The curtailed traditional touring, limiting promotion to virtual performances and small-scale events, reflecting broader adaptations in Duffy's mid-career output toward intimate, resilient artistry.

Recent albums and collaborations (2022–2025)

In 2023, Meg Duffy, under the Hand Habits moniker, released the EP Sugar the Bruise on June 16 via . The four-track collection delves into emotional vulnerability through bruise metaphors, symbolizing the tender development of personal pain and the healing process from grief, as heard in the closing line of "Private Life": "a tender bruise begins to develop." Duffy described the project as a shift toward directness in lyrics, softening the intense ache of prior work while exploring themes of shame, hidden relationships, and small joys in survival. praised its perceptive songwriting on creativity and human connection, awarding it a 7.3. That same year, Duffy collaborated with guitarist Gregory Uhlmann on the instrumental LP Doubles, released September 22 on Orindal Records as the debut from their duo Duffy x Uhlmann. Recorded in one-take improvisations at a friend's home, the 11-track album emphasizes intimate guitar interplay, blending tempered rhythms and velocities to blur lines between speed and slowness. Tracks like "Braid" and "Etch" highlight their seasoned communication, with A-side mixing by Lewis Pesacov and B-side handled by the duo themselves. The project builds on their prior work together in Hand Habits and Perfume Genius's touring band, capturing a raw, unpolished dynamic. Duffy previewed Hand Habits' next full-length with the single "Wheel of Change" on June 4, 2025, serving as the lead track for the upcoming album. The wistful, Americana-inflected song conveys yearning and cautious optimism, accompanied by a video directed by . It marked a return to more open-hearted songwriting amid themes of transformation. Blue Reminder, Hand Habits' fourth studio album, arrived on August 22, 2025, via Fat Possum, comprising 12 tracks that navigate an emotional tightrope between hope and quiet anxiety. Songs like "More Today," with its bold declaration "I want it all or nothing," and "Jasmine Blossoms" explore love's fragility, the past's lingering impact, and efforts to sustain connection amid uncertainty—"Songs bloom from the wreckage." The record features propulsive beats on "" and subdued piano on closer "Living Proof," showcasing adventurous instrumentation. lauded it as Duffy's most confident work, highlighting their "clear, strong" and "newly commanding" vocals. Earlier in 2025, on January 23, Duffy joined singer-songwriter Olivia Kaplan for a tender cover of Neil Young's "" from . The harmony-heavy, stripped-down rendition, featuring effects-laden electric and acoustic guitars, supports wildfire relief, with proceeds benefiting the Firefighter Fund for incarcerated firefighters and the Flintridge Center’s Dena Fire Relief Fund for affected families. The releases garnered positive reception for Duffy's evolving vocal presence and thematic depth, with Blue Reminder emphasizing assured songcraft over prior introspection. Post-album, Hand Habits embarked on a fall 2025 tour across and the , including dates at Paradiso in and the Roundhouse in , following a warm Los Angeles release show at 2220 Arts + Archives on August 23. Live performances highlighted Duffy's commanding stage delivery and the material's intimate dynamics.

Equipment and playing style

Signature guitars and gear

Meg Duffy's primary instrument is a Stratocaster, a model they purchased as a teenager in . This guitar, featuring a fretboard, has been modified with pickups in a single-coil/single-coil/ configuration—to achieve a warm, vintage tone suitable for their melodic playing. Duffy frequently utilizes the guitar's system to add subtle and dynamic expression, contributing to the clean, shimmering sounds characteristic of their work. Duffy also incorporates other instruments like a and rubber bridge guitars from Old Style Guitar Shop into their setup for varied textures. Complementing the Lone Star Strat, Duffy's amplification setup centers on the Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, a 40-watt combo amp valued for its straightforward controls, robust bass response, and ability to deliver articulate cleans that form the foundation of their tone. Acquired during the recording of an early Hand Habits album, this amp allows for high-headroom performance without excessive complexity, aligning with Duffy's preference for transparent signal chains in both studio and live settings. Duffy's effects rig emphasizes and spatial effects to enhance the quality of their guitar lines, evolving from basic pedals in their days to a more expansive professional board after relocating to in 2015. Key components include the Strymon El Capistan delay pedal, which provides tape-echo emulation for lush, warbling repeats that have defined tracks on albums like Wildly Idle (Humble Before the Void); the DigiTech Polara reverb for expansive, hall-like washes; and the Boss DD-7 digital delay for precise, ambient layering. Additional staples such as the Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer for subtle overdrive and sustain, and the 45000 looper for building sonic textures, reflect a shift toward versatile, high-quality tools that support intricate arrangements while maintaining clarity. This progression from affordable, entry-level gear to curated professional equipment underscores Duffy's growth from regional performer to sought-after .

Technique and influences on sound

Meg Duffy's guitar playing is characterized by fluid, melodic lead lines that emphasize emotional depth over technical flash, often employing fingerpicking to create intimate, meditative textures. This approach draws from influences like , whose raw, emotive style informs Duffy's reverb-drenched atmospheres, and , contributing to the hazy, dreamlike quality in their work. In Hand Habits recordings, these elements manifest as supportive, lyrical solos that enhance the songs' vulnerability, as seen in tracks like "Concrete & Feathers" from Fun House (2021, ), where fingerpicking evolves into fuller rock arrangements. Duffy frequently incorporates techniques such as volume swells for dynamic swells of sound, alternate tunings to unlock unconventional chord voicings, and improvisational elements that allow for spontaneous phrasing in both studio and live settings. These methods stem from their extensive session experience, where precision is honed to serve the song, blending with the more experimental, warped textures of Hand Habits' solo project. For instance, in live performances and albums like (2019), improvisation adds a layer of unpredictability, turning structured compositions into evolving emotional landscapes. Collaborators have praised this "otherworldly" phrasing and tone; guitarist William Tyler described Duffy's playing as an "effortless flow" with "lyrical dialogue" that balances passion and sympathy, while Mega Bog's noted their ability to provide "deeply supportive" fire through melodic intuition. Over time, Duffy's style has evolved from the roots of early Hand Habits releases—marked by dense, reverb-heavy experimentation—to more vocal-forward, chamber-pop arrangements in the . This shift is evident in albums like Fun House (2021), where session-honed precision integrates with bolder, genre-spanning sonic worlds, and later works such as Blue Reminder (2025), featuring sparse, hi-fi production that prioritizes restraint and intimacy. The result is a sound that warps folk-rock into something charged and personal, reflecting Duffy's growth through collaborations and a deliberate move away from repetitive songwriting patterns toward abstract expression.

Additional collaborations and credits

Key studio contributions

Meg Duffy's studio work has been instrumental in shaping the sound of several acclaimed indie rock albums, where her guitar playing often adds layers of texture and emotional depth. On The War on Drugs' 2017 album A Deeper Understanding, Duffy contributed to the track "Holding On," enhancing the record's expansive, arrangements. The album earned a for Best Rock Album at the in 2018. Duffy's collaboration with Kevin Morby on his 2017 album City Music featured her on guitar, helping to craft the project's nocturnal, city-inspired indie folk-rock vibe alongside drummer Justin Sullivan. The record, produced by Richard Swift, highlighted Duffy's ability to blend melodic leads with rhythmic support in a live-band setting captured during nighttime sessions. In her ongoing partnership with Weyes Blood (Natalie Mering), Duffy provided slide guitar on the 2016 album Front Row Seat to Earth, including a notable solo on "Seven Words," and later contributed guitar to tracks on And in the Darkness, Hearts Aglow (2022), such as "Hearts Aglow," supporting the project's orchestral and introspective folk elements. These contributions underscore Duffy's role in elevating Mering's dreamlike compositions with subtle, evocative string and guitar work. As the lead guitarist for since 2018, Duffy co-developed and performed on the 2020 album Set My Heart on Fire Immediately, infusing its art-rock tracks with dynamic riffs and atmospheric textures that complemented Mike Hadreas's vocal explorations. The record marked a pivotal shift toward more muscular, glam-influenced sounds in Hadreas's catalog. Duffy also appeared on live recordings tied to the project, bridging studio and performance realms. Duffy delivered heavy guitar parts on SASAMI's 2022 album Squeeze, appearing on multiple tracks including "The Greatest," where her playing amplified the record's fusion of nu-metal aggression and indie experimentation. Among other notable studio credits, Duffy performed on Sylvan Esso's 2020 live album WITH and the 2021 EP With Love, adding guitar to their electronic-indie hybrid sound during pandemic-era sessions. She has also contributed to projects involving members, such as electric guitar on Mega Bog's 2021 album Life, and Another, produced by 's James Krivchenia.

Live performances and band memberships

Meg Duffy served as a touring guitarist in Kevin Morby's live band from 2015 to , contributing to extensive North American and international tours that supported albums like Singing Saw (2016) and City Music (2017). During this period, Duffy's performances included high-profile festival appearances, such as Desert Daze in , where their dynamic guitar work added to Morby's energetic sets. This role established Duffy as a sought-after live collaborator in the scene, balancing rigorous touring schedules with emerging solo endeavors. Since 2018, Duffy has been a full-time member of Perfume Genius's live band, providing guitar for tours promoting (2017) and subsequent releases including Set My Heart on Fire Immediately (2020) and Glory (2025). Their contributions have been central to the band's theatrical, emotionally charged performances, as seen in 2022 North American headline tours and intimate venues like the 9:30 Club in Duffy's tenure extended through the , including a streamed virtual concert at the Palace Theatre in in 2020, which featured a six-piece band setup with orchestral elements to adapt to restrictions. This period also involved abrupt tour interruptions, such as the early end to an Australian run in March 2020 due to global lockdowns. Beyond core band roles, Duffy has made notable guest appearances on stage with artists like Weyes Blood, SASAMI, and The War on Drugs, often at festivals and club shows that highlight their versatile guitar style. For instance, Duffy joined Weyes Blood for select live dates supporting Titanic Rising (2019), adding atmospheric textures to festival sets, while collaborations with The War on Drugs included guitar spots during their expansive 2017-2018 tour cycle for A Deeper Understanding. With SASAMI, Duffy's live contributions emerged through shared performances in Los Angeles and broader indie circuits, fostering a close-knit touring dynamic amid the pandemic's challenges. These guest roles have occasionally extended to fluid band configurations in the indie scene, emphasizing Duffy's adaptability. Duffy's live work has involved extensive cross-country travel, with adaptations like virtual formats during the 2020 lockdowns preserving momentum for projects such as 2025 promotions tied to Hand Habits' Blue Reminder, which included integrated tour dates alongside commitments. This resilience underscores Duffy's role in sustaining indie music's live ecosystem through evolving logistical hurdles.

References

  1. [1]
    HAND HABITS
    Meg Duffy is a songwriter and guitarist based in Los Angeles, California. Through their solo project Hand Habits, Duffy has released the critically-acclaimed ...
  2. [2]
    Meg Duffy, an Indie-Rock Guitar Ace, Finds a New Voice
    Aug 18, 2025 · Over a decade, Duffy has played alongside a host of respected bands. On a new LP as Hand Habits, the musician emerges in love and more connected ...
  3. [3]
    Musician Meg Duffy (Hand Habits) on appreciating creative ...
    Jun 10, 2025 · Meg Duffy is a guitar-focused musician, composer, and songwriter. They write and release songs as Hand Habits, play in Perfume Genius, and may ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
  4. [4]
    INTERVIEW: Meg Duffy's Cross Country Adventure with Hand Habits
    Sep 22, 2025 · Duffy grew up in Amsterdam about a stone's throw from the capital, and spent some time living in Albany, Saratoga, and Schenectady. They even ...
  5. [5]
    Almost Famous: Meg Duffy, Hand Habits | Autostraddle
    Jul 31, 2013 · Meg Duffy is the lead vocalist and guitarist of Hand Habits, a four-piece psychedelic rock band from Upstate New York that also includes Craig Dutra.Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
  6. [6]
    Hand Habits - Sub Pop Records
    Jun 14, 2021 · Meg has toured as a guitarist with Sylvan Esso, and has recorded on an extensive list of albums including features on War on Drugs, Weyes Blood, ...
  7. [7]
    Meg Duffy - The Glow
    They have collaborated with heavy-hitters as wide-ranging as Angel Olsen, Emile Mosseri, Perfume Genius, SASAMI, Sylvan Esso, and Weyes Blood. They have ...
  8. [8]
    Hand Habits - Albums, Songs, and News | Pitchfork
    April 18, 2025. Hand Habits' Meg Duffy and Gregory Uhlmann Form New Band, Announce Debut Album. News. Hand Habits' Meg Duffy and Gregory Uhlmann Form New Band, ...
  9. [9]
    Hand Habits Delivers “Fun House” Anniversary Performance Stream ...
    Hand Habits is the songwriting outlet of of Meg Duffy, who is originally from Amsterdam, NY. ... Duffy has played drums since 5th grade, and started playing ...
  10. [10]
    No Expectations 118: Bluebird of Happiness - by josh terry
    Aug 21, 2025 · Meg Duffy: I was born in 1990, so I was around the same age. I was also a late bloomer with culture, art, and music. I wasn't really exposed to ...
  11. [11]
    The mystical musicianship of Hand Habits' Meg Duffy
    Apr 1, 2019 · The people who've played music with Meg Duffy speak of their guitar playing in otherworldly terms. Erin Birgy of the mystifying Seattle band ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
  12. [12]
    Meg Duffy of Hand Habits and Producer Joel Ford Form New Band ...
    Apr 25, 2021 · Meg Duffy of Hand Habits and producer Joel ... Duffy has experience on drums since the 5th grade, but went on to learn guitar in college.
  13. [13]
    Meg Duffy by Esmé Hogeveen - BOMB Magazine
    Oct 22, 2021 · Meg Duffy, the musician behind Hand Habits, writes songs that wedge inside both head and heart. Part Neil Young, part Mazzy Star, but always more distinct.Missing: childhood | Show results with:childhood
  14. [14]
    Hand Habits' Meg Duffy: Guitar Poetry
    Mar 28, 2017 · After I graduated high school, I went to Schenectady County Community College for guitar performance. I was the only female in my guitar program ...Missing: education | Show results with:education
  15. [15]
    If You Like Being Chill, You'll Love This Band Guitarist Meg Duffy ...
    Jan 11, 2017 · Following Small Shifts, Duffy placed Hand Habits on hold to pursue opportunities playing guitar with Mega Bog and Kevin Morby. Amongst a full ...
  16. [16]
    Meg Duffy of Hand Habits Embraces the Undefinable - FLOOD
    Feb 25, 2019 · Duffy talks about writing a new album in the midst of California's wildfires, and how queer identity informs their music's openness to nuance.Missing: childhood | Show results with:childhood
  17. [17]
    Serial Collaborator Meg Duffy Steps Out With Hand Habits' <i ...
    Apr 11, 2019 · The pair's chemistry was so strong that Duffy stayed on with Morby through 2018, relocating to L.A. and picking up session work between tours.
  18. [18]
    In Conversation: Musicians Meg Duffy and Jenn Wasner on learning ...
    Feb 8, 2021 · Since the release of placeholder, Meg has toured and collaborated with Sylvan Esso, Angel Olsen, and Perfume Genius (in which they're a touring ...
  19. [19]
    Perfume Genius - On The Floor (Live on KEXP) - YouTube
    Dec 10, 2021 · Recorded November 15, 2021. Mike Hadreas - Lead Vocals Alan Wyffles - Keys Meg Duffy - Guitar Gregory Uhlmann - Guitar Tim Carr - Drums ...
  20. [20]
    The War on Drugs: A Deeper Understanding Album Review | Pitchfork
    Aug 25, 2017 · “Holding On” is packed with piano and celeste and a chugging acoustic, but the entire song is wrapped around the heavenly slide guitar from ...
  21. [21]
    Hand Habits’ Meg Duffy Is Your Favorite Indie Rocker’s Favorite Guitarist
    ### Summary of Meg Duffy's Early Life and Musical Background
  22. [22]
    SASAMI Announces New Album 'Squeeze,' Shares First Two Tracks
    Oct 26, 2021 · Megadeth's Dirk Verbeuren drums on “Skin a Rat,” with Tamko and actor/comedian Patti Harrison contributing vocals, while Duffy plays guitar on “ ...Missing: Grammy | Show results with:Grammy<|separator|>
  23. [23]
    Hand Habits on the Fun House that Sasami Built, Reclassifying ...
    Mar 4, 2022 · Sasami, who makes incredible music on her own and just released a new album titled Squeeze that clearly displays the aforementioned System of a ...
  24. [24]
    Hand Habits | Hollywood Bowl
    To make this album, Meg chose to work in a studio and bring in collaborators, entrusting them with what had previously been a very personal creative process.<|control11|><|separator|>
  25. [25]
    Hand Habits Makes Compassionate, Irreducible Indie Rock - Them.us
    Oct 6, 2021 · Hand Habits Makes Compassionate, Irreducible Indie Rock. Meg Duffy explains why their new album Fun House feels very “nonbinary” and how they ...Missing: influences early
  26. [26]
    WLUW sits down with Meg Duffy of Hand Habits
    Apr 10, 2019 · Hand Habits is the solo project of noted guitarist and session musician Meg Duffy, who started releasing music under the name back in 2012 with the short pinky ...Missing: adoption pronouns mid- 2010s career
  27. [27]
    An interview with Hand Habits' Meg Duffy - The Georgia Straight
    Oct 16, 2025 · Duffy is a prolific songwriter, guitarist, and collaborator who has toured and worked with Perfume Genius, Kevin Morby, Sylvan Esso, SASAMI, and ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography<|control11|><|separator|>
  28. [28]
    Hand Habits Discography - Download Albums in Hi-Res - Qobuz
    Later that year, Hand Habits signed with the Woodsist label, home of albums by Morby, Little Wings, and Real Estate, to name a few. Titled Wildly Idle ...
  29. [29]
    Hand Habits preps 'Sugar the Bruise' (hear "Something Wrong ...
    Mar 27, 2023 · Meg Duffy has announced a new Hand Habits record, Sugar the Bruise, which will be out June 16 via Fat Possum. (It's their first for the ...
  30. [30]
    Vulnerable Creativity: A Hand Habits Interview - The Reprise
    Feb 28, 2017 · Known to many as the six-stringed anchor of Kevin Morby's live band, and as a member of Erin Birgy's experimental collective Mega Bog, Duffy has ...Missing: networking | Show results with:networking
  31. [31]
    Hand Habits: Wildly Idle (Humble Before the Void) - Pitchfork
    Feb 15, 2017 · The debut album by Hand Habits—aka Albany D.I.Y. stalwart Meg Duffy—is a joyous, open-ended study in vulnerability.
  32. [32]
    Wildly Idle (Humble Before The Void) - Blue Reminder | Hand Habits
    Free deliveryWildly Idle (Humble Before The Void) by Hand Habits, released 10 February 2017 1. Flower Glass 2. Actress 3. Greater LA (scene) 4. In Between 5.
  33. [33]
    HAND HABITS – Wildly Idle (Humble Before The Void) – CD / LP
    HAND HABITS – Wildly Idle (Humble Before The Void) – CD / LP. $12.00 – $17.50. Woodsist088 Release Date: Feb 10, 2017.
  34. [34]
    Hand Habits: placeholder Album Review | Pitchfork
    Mar 1, 2019 · On placeholder, the second album from Meg Duffy's Hand Habits, the singer/songwriter orbits a stinging absence, ruminating on the ephemeral ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  35. [35]
    https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/hand-habits-placeholder/
  36. [36]
    placeholder - Blue Reminder | Hand Habits - Bandcamp
    Free deliveryplaceholder by Hand Habits, released 01 March 2019 1. placeholder 2. can't calm down 3. pacify 4. jessica 5. yr heart [reprise] 6. heat 7. are you serious?
  37. [37]
    Hand Habits Concert & Tour History (Updated for 2025 - 2026)
    Hand Habits tours & concert list along with photos, videos, and setlists of their live performances.Missing: evolution solo configurations
  38. [38]
    The Best New Bands at SXSW 2017 - Observer
    Mar 9, 2017 · Hand Habits is playing five SXSW shows this year: Wednesday, March 15, Stereogum's showcase at The Empire at 2 p.m. · Thursday, March 16 ...
  39. [39]
    Singer Meg Duffy of the band Hand Habits performs onstage at the...
    Mar 16, 2017 · 2017 SXSW Conference And Festivals - Day 6. AUSTIN, TX - MARCH 15: Singer Meg Duffy of the band Hand Habits performs onstage at the Mazda Studio ...
  40. [40]
    Jess Williamson Shares New Song "Pictures of Flowers" Feat. Hand ...
    Jun 24, 2020 · Jess Williamson has shared a new single, “Pictures of Flowers (Feat. Hand Habits),” as a part of Mexican Summer's Looking Glass series.
  41. [41]
    Jess Williamson – “Pictures Of Flowers” (Feat. Hand Habits)
    Jun 24, 2020 · “Pictures of Flowers” is a song that speaks to the fear and uncertainty I felt in the early days of the Quarantine, as well as the clarity gained and ...
  42. [42]
    Jordana's newest single "Doubt of Revival" featuring Jordan Woods ...
    Nov 18, 2020 · Quarter-Life Crisis - Comfortable (feat. Hand Habits). “Comfortable,” the latest single from Quarter-Life Crisis, producer Ryan ...
  43. [43]
    dirt - Blue Reminder | Hand Habits - Bandcamp
    Free deliverydirt is the latest EP from Hand Habits, the songwriting project of Meg Duffy. Comprised of two songs, “4th of july,” a simmering swell of chaos and beauty and “ ...
  44. [44]
    Hand Habits' dirt EP Is Brief, Yet Resonant - Paste Magazine
    Feb 17, 2021 · Hand Habits' dirt EP Is Brief, Yet Resonant. Meg Duffy explores the symbiotic relationship between destruction and creation on their latest ...Missing: themes vulnerability
  45. [45]
    https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/hand-habits/dirt-ep-review
  46. [46]
    Hand Habits: Fun House Album Review | Pitchfork
    Oct 27, 2021 · Meg Duffy, a guitarist and singer who made their name as an accompanist for Weyes Blood and the War on Drugs, ambles moodily on stage, clutching ...Missing: collaboration | Show results with:collaboration
  47. [47]
    Fun House + Blueprints - Blue Reminder | Hand Habits - Bandcamp
    Free deliveryFun House + Blueprints includes a collection of live recordings and demos by Hand Habits, featuring seven songs from 2021's Fun House to celebrate the one year ...
  48. [48]
    How COVID brought together Hand Habits, Sasami, King Tuff
    Oct 27, 2021 · Born in upstate New York, Duffy received their first attention as the long-haired guitarist in folk rock singer-songwriter Morby's band. Duffy's ...Missing: influences | Show results with:influences<|control11|><|separator|>
  49. [49]
    Hand Habits: Sugar the Bruise EP Album Review | Pitchfork
    Jun 20, 2023 · Meg Duffy sharpens their slow, perceptive songwriting into a vulnerable and compelling meditation on creativity and human connection.
  50. [50]
    Hand Habits Soften the Ache - Paste Magazine
    Jun 15, 2023 · Across their work as Hand Habits, Yes/And and a bevy of session credits, they've taken many shapes and unspooled a number of different ...
  51. [51]
    Sugar The Bruise | Hand Habits
    Free deliveryThey have collaborated with heavy-hitters as wide-ranging as Angel Olsen, Emile Mosseri, Perfume Genius, SASAMI, Sylvan Esso, and Weyes Blood. They have ...
  52. [52]
    Hand Habits' Meg Duffy and Gregory Uhlmann Form New Band ...
    Aug 2, 2023 · Their band is called Duffy x Uhlmann and their debut album, Doubles, is due out September 22 via Orindal Records.
  53. [53]
    Doubles - Duffy x Uhlmann - Bandcamp
    Free deliveryDoubles by Duffy x Uhlmann, released 22 September 2023 1. Half Smile 2. Euphoric Recall 3. Etch 4. Braid 5. Glacial Fanfare 6. Gold Tooth 7. Saunter 8.
  54. [54]
    Hand Habits Announces New Album and Tour, Shares Video for ...
    Jun 4, 2025 · Duffy will head out on tour later this year. They have shows in support of Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Japanese Breakfast, and Perfume Genius. See the tour ...Missing: 2020s | Show results with:2020s
  55. [55]
    Hand Habits Announces New Album 'Blue Reminder'
    Jun 4, 2025 · They're back announcing their new LP Blue Reminder. The lead single “Wheel Of Change” is accompanied by a music video directed by Otium.Missing: yes/ | Show results with:yes/
  56. [56]
    Hand Habits: Blue Reminder Album Review | Pitchfork
    Aug 22, 2025 · The album is rife with these dualities: how contentment can commingle with anxiety; how the past bears on the present; how new love can show up ...
  57. [57]
    Hand Habits - Blue Reminder | The New Album - Fat Possum Records
    In stock 11-day deliveryAug 22, 2025 · The twelve songs on Blue Reminder walk a kind of emotional tightrope between hope and a kind of quiet anxiety.Missing: Woodsist Saddle
  58. [58]
    Blue Reminder | Hand Habits
    Blue Reminder by Hand Habits, released 22 August 2025 1. More Today 2. Wheel of Change 3. Nubble 4. Dead Rat 5. Jasmine Blossoms 6. Way It Goes 7.Missing: COVID- 19 2021
  59. [59]
    Olivia Kaplan & Hand Habits – “Birds” (Neil Young Cover) - Stereogum
    Jan 23, 2025 · Singer-songwriter Olivia Kaplan and Meg Duffy, better known as Hand Habits, have shared their tender, harmony-heavy take on Neil Young's “Birds,” and they're ...
  60. [60]
    https://handhabits.bandcamp.com/album/blue-reminder
  61. [61]
    Tour - HAND HABITS
    Tour DATES ; Nov 4, 2025. Mojo Club. Hamburg, HH ; Nov 5, 2025. Paradiso. Amsterdam, Netherlands ; Nov 7, 2025. New Century Hall. Manchester, England ; Nov 8, 2025.Missing: live evolution solo configurations
  62. [62]
    Hand Habits Blue Reminder Album Release Show - Not Just a Girl
    Hand Habits' album release show on August 23 at · 2220 Arts + Archives in Los Angeles. · Duffy stepped onto the stage, the reception was warm, a gentle applause, ...Missing: confidence | Show results with:confidence
  63. [63]
    The Fretboard Journal Guitar Podcast
    Best of all, Meg is still often using the Fender Deluxe Lone Star Strat they bought as a teenager. During our chat, we talk about how Meg found guitar and ...Missing: equipment | Show results with:equipment
  64. [64]
    Meg Duffy, Hand Habits Singer & Guitarist Gear | Equipboard
    Meg Duffy's gear and equipment including the American Fender Stratocaster (Lone Star) and Fender Hot Rod Deluxe III. Get the gear to sound like Meg Duffy and
  65. [65]
    Illustrated and Explained: Steve Gunn's, Meg Duffy's, | Reverb News
    Apr 6, 2017 · We spoke with veteran guitarists Meg Duffy, Phil Cook, and Steve Gunn about tracking down their gear and getting the most out of their pedals.
  66. [66]
    Hand Habits: Indie Production & DIY Recording Techniques - Tape Op
    Meg Duffy has weaved intimate lyrics with imaginative melodies as Hand Habits while also contributing their talents as a guitarist to albums and touring ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
  67. [67]
    https://www.fretboardjournal.com/podcasts/podcast-440-meg-duffy-hand-habits/
  68. [68]
    Kevin Morby: City Music Album Review | Pitchfork
    Jun 21, 2017 · Joining him are guitarist Meg Duffy and drummer Justin Sullivan (his former bandmate in the Babies), and Richard Swift on production.
  69. [69]
    City Music - Kevin Morby - Bandcamp
    Free delivery... City Music saw Morby joined once again by former The Babies cohorts Megan Duffy (guitar) and Justin Sullivan (drums). Here the vocals were at recorded night ...
  70. [70]
    https://www.discogs.com/release/10751302-The-War-On-Drugs-A-Deeper-Understanding
  71. [71]
    https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/kevin-morby-city-music/
  72. [72]
    Desert Daze 2018: A Psychedelic Oasis - Bearded Gentlemen Music
    Nov 7, 2018 · In the excitement of his set, he also managed to let guitarist Meg Duffy climb on his back to have her play his guitar, as well as scope out a ...
  73. [73]
    Perfume Genius Announces 2022 North American Tour - Pitchfork
    Nov 16, 2021 · Perfume Genius has announced a North American tour for next spring, with Hand Habits opening for all dates. See the full list of shows below.Missing: 2018 Shape
  74. [74]
    Live Review: Perfume Genius @ 9:30 Club — 3/25/22 | Parklife DC
    Apr 1, 2022 · Here are images of Perfume Genius along with the night's opener, Hand Habits (Meg Duffy, who is performing as part of Perfume Genius on the tour ...
  75. [75]
    Perfume Genius streaming 2020 virtual concert - BrooklynVegan
    May 17, 2021 · It was filmed at LA's Palace Theatre with Mike Hadreas backed by a six-piece band (including Meg Duffy, aka Hand Habits, on guitar) and string ...
  76. [76]
    A Creature of Habit - Eugene Weekly
    Feb 17, 2022 · When songwriter and guitarist Meg Duffy, who performs as Hand Habits, recorded their latest full-length album, Fun House, Duffy wanted to ...Missing: credits | Show results with:credits
  77. [77]
    https://parklifedc.com/2022/04/01/live-review-perfume-genius-930-club-3-25-22/
  78. [78]
    Hand Habits on the Fun House that Sasami Built, Reclassifying ...
    Mar 4, 2022 · Duffy unveiled the third Hand Habits full-length, Fun House, which sees the previously genre-tagged “folk” artist expand their horizons in monumental ways.
  79. [79]
    Hand Habits' Fall Tour, New Singles Out Now - gehen press
    Jul 8, 2025 · Hand Habits, the project of multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Meg Duffy, releases a pair of new singles from their recently announced album, Blue Reminder.