SIAH with Lisa at Record Store Day
It’s been a little while since I wrote my previous All Things Norfolk column but it’s been a very creative period of writing and rehearsing with some talented local musicians with a view to performing around the area very soon.
Last week I performed for Record Store Day at Vinyl Hunter in Bury St Edmunds which is always a great day celebrating independent record shops.
I’ve also been writing articles and reviews for quarterly digital magazine Songwriting Magazine. My feature on crowdfunding a creative project is in the new spring issue, cover star is Sheryl Crow.
Saltfen with Lisa at Record Store Day
To say that May is a really exciting month for music in Norfolk is an understatement. With such an array of excellent live music events, festivals, we are spoilt for choice. A festival I’ve previously performed at is Folk on the Pier at the Pavilion Theatre, Cromer, which this year is from 5th to 7th May. Showcasing the finest folk and folk rock performers, a highlight will be Ashley Hutchings and friends presenting a celebration of the beginnings of Fairport Convention on the occasion of the seminal folk band’s 50th anniversary.
I’m really excited to be performing at Norwich Arts Centre on May 23rd where I will be supporting three wonderful Nashville based singer/songwriters. A Night in Nashville In the Round presents an evening in the style of the Nashville’s famous Bluebird Café as Sarah Darling, Jenn Bostic and Michael Logen perform together and individually whilst supporting each other.
Sarah Darling has supported major country artists such as Carrie Underwood and Kacey Musgraves and recently supported Ward Thomas, who also return to OPEN Norwich on 5th May, on their UK tour. Her third album “Dream Country” has been earning huge acclaim and includes the beautiful single “Halley’s Comet.”
Sarah Darling who will be at Norwich Arts Centre on 23 May
In 2012 Jenn Bostic received 5 Independent Country Music Association Awards including Best Female Artist and Best Songwriter. Her emotive songwriting and powerful vocals have been touching hearts around the world. “Jealous of the Angels” was discovered by Smooth Radio’s Simon Bates, where the song was playlisted on BBC Radio 2. I recently spoke to Jenn who says she is "so looking forward to returning to Norwich for 'Night in Nashville.' This will be my fourth visit to this gorgeous storybook town, and I can't wait to share some new music I've been working on."
Jenn Bostic
Michael Logen was raised on folk and traditional country and his songs have been recorded by and often co-written with Kelly Clarkson, Mat Kearney, Paul Carrack, The Greencards and many more. His material has also been featured on major TV shows including Nashville and Parenthood.
Michael Logen - Picture credit Tom Griscom
Also at Norwich Arts Centre on 23rd May there is a Grants for the Arts Funding workshop which is particularly aimed at musicians and performance makers who are new to arts funding and the various processes involved. Led by Adrian Cooke and Catherine Willmore from the Arts Council, they will present an overview of Arts Council England’s priorities and funding programmes. It’s from 11am until 3pm and you can book online through the Arts Centre website.
Grapevine for Music have been hosting some lovely nights of live music in the historic and intimate setting of Norwich Guildhall. 6th May sees Portland-based artists Anna Tivel and Jeffrey Martin. Anna Tivel was a winner at this year’s renowned Kerrville Songwriting Contest and has shared the stage with the likes of Gregory Alan Isakov, Anais Mitchell and two artists I’ve supported, Peter Mulvey and Devon Sproule.
On May 25th local band Morganway return with their wonderful blend of harmonious, West Coast-flavoured upbeat country/rock and a new EP. Also performing are London-based singer/songwriter Ralegh Long and Hope In High Water who play a rootsy and soulful brand of Americana with a gospel tinge.
May brings the Norfolk and Norwich festival which is from May 12th until 28th May and amongst all the eclectic world class theatre, music, art and literature, there are some real treats for fans of quality folk, jazz, world and songwriters.
A highlight in The Adnams Spiegeltent on 20th May is Nadine Shah who will be performing songs from her forthcoming album “Holiday Destination.” With influences ranging from Scott Walker, to Patti Smith and poet Philip Larkin, Shah has a uniquely rich and soulful voice and effortlessly eloquent and arresting lyrics.
Also on 20th May Dee Dee Bridgewater, one of today’s leading female jazz vocal stars, will be at the Theatre Royal performing songs from forthcoming album “Memphis” an album that is not only a return to her roots, but offers ground-breaking reimaginings of American blues and R&B classics.
Norwich Playhouse also hosts some wonderful music during the festival. On 21st May are two of the worlds leading artists in traditional Irish music, Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill. Their adventurous, soulful interpretations of traditional tunes are recognised the world over for their exquisite musicality and irresistible rhythm. Estonian fiddler/singer Maarja Nuut performs on the 15th. She combines traditional dance tunes, songs, and stories with live electronics to create an intricate layered sound. Her second album “Une Meeles” was named one of the top 10 albums of 2016 by fRoots and was also picked by Songlines for their Top of the World accolade.
For all my music news and teaching information, please visit lisaredford.com
Lisa at Record Store Day - Image courtesy of Repeatfanzine.co.uk
Talented Norfolk Singer and Songwriter Lisa Redford will be teaching Guitar and Ukulele at Wensum Lodge, King Street in Norwich this Spring. These are exciting new music courses being launched in association with Norfolk County Council Adult Learning with taster sessions and 10 week beginners courses.
Passionate about teaching music, Lisa Redford is a local musician and professional music tutor who has been described by legendary BBC broadcaster Bob Harris as "one of our finest singer songwriters". Lisa has earned worldwide acclaim for her heartfelt acoustic music and her original songs have featured on BBC Radio 2 and other radio stations worldwide. Having taught locally for over 10 years as well as in Manchester and New York City, Lisa loves sharing her skills and experience as a touring musician and has performed, written and recorded many songs.
In her latest feature for All Things Norfolk, Lisa focuses on the exciting launch of her fundraising single in aid of Future Radio "This Fine City" about Norwich and how we're all coming together znd overcoming this tough time.
"I began volunteering at Future Radio in 2018, regularly hosting the Afternoon Session and also briefly covering NR Sounds which showcases bands and artists from Norwich and the surrounding areas of Norfolk and North Suffolk. It has been so rewarding and enjoyable to be part of the station - certainly been a real buzz broadcasting live to listeners and sharing my passion for music"
All Things Norfolk business member, singer-songwriter and music tutor Lisa Redford has written and recorded a brand new song at home during the lockdown "From Afar"
Lisa got her inspiration for writing this song when walking in her local area in Norwich and seeing a poster in a window which said "know you are loved from afar" . The song is all about missing loved ones but knowing that we can still love and care from them "From Afar" until we meet again. Once the song was written Lisa then recorded an acoustic version of it from her home studio.
We highly recommend that you take a listen to "From Afar" by visiting https://lisaredford.bandcamp.com/track/from-afar and support this talented local artist by purchasing the song digitally for £1 . You can also view the video by visiting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfnukKmLcqc
It has been a little while since my last All Things Norfolk column. I had a really busy summer playing lots of festivals in the area and further afield. Here in Norfolk I really enjoyed performing at the first F-19 festival, a major new music festival in Feltwell at the stunning St Mary’s Church; all profits from the festival went towards the upkeep of this stunning medieval building.
I was also part of a brilliant line-up for The Waterfront Sessions. It was an all day promoted by The Tilting Sky celebrating some of the regions finest country and Americana artists by the riverside at Norwich Waterfront and it really showcased the wealth of talent here.
In July I also released a single Let Go - the second from my latest EP Edge of Love. It has been receiving some lovely airplay on many stations and shows including BBC Introducing Norfolk. Edge of Love has continued to get great reviews, so much so that I’m excited to be releasing a new single I Just Can’t Forget next month. The ballad, like all of my songs, comes from the heart and has a more soulful country sound with harmonies, piano, pedal steel acoustic and electric guitar
It features terrific local musicians: The Vagaband’s Jose McGill - who also produced the EP - plus Mark Howes from local blues duo Dove and Boweevil and Mikey Shaw on drums. The single has already been performed live in session for Whispering Bob TV’s Under the Apple Tree - intimate live acoustic sessions recorded in the home studio of legendary BBC broadcaster Bob Harris - certainly one of the highlights of my career so far!
I am really excited that the PledgeMusic crowdfunding campaign for my next release is already at 86%! A huge thank you to all those of you who have pledged or shared the project. As an independent artist it really means a lot.
Recording for the new EP has just finished here in Norwich and it has been a really productive and exciting process. As mentioned, I am working with the super talented musician and producer José McGill – band-leader of the award-winning local band Vagaband – who has created some beautiful arrangements and played an array of instruments.
There is also a host of other local musicians who have been involved. Noel Dashwood – from Norwich based folk trio Alden Patterson and Dashwood - has contributed his wonderful dobro and harmonies. We have performed live together in the area playing festivals such as Folk East in Suffolk and supporting Sarah Darling and Eliza Carthy at Norwich Waterfront and OPEN. He will be performing with his trio at Epic Studios on 22nd November opening for renowned folk artists Show of Hands.