Sympathy for the Doll

"I've seen people have nervous breakdowns because this industry will dictate their worth to them," says Duffy. "And it's fucking un-fucking cool what has happened to this industry. There's always been payola, radio payola, all that stuff, but you always had artist development too. Now that's gone."

Living in an age where selling 100,000 records can get you dropped from a label baffles Duffy. "Imagine if you own your own label and you sold 100,000 records," she says. "It'd be, 'Hello, new house.'"

Her own label also gives Duffy the freedom to put out exactly the music she wants, f-bombs and all. "When I swear, I'm very choosy about where I put those words," she explains. "I don't throw it around like a Sopranos episode. But I also don't leave it out to act like someone I'm not."

It's that odd blend of theatrics and honesty that makes Devil Doll's music and attitude work. Sexy, scary and in control, Duffy's act grabs you cold. There's nothing like a dame, for sure, especially when she has her hands on your throat.