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.
Appearing also on the EP is superb guitarist Mark Howes. Prevalent on the local scene, he has been nominated for best album in the British Blues Awards and previously featured in the nominations list for the Blues Guitarist category too. Drums and percussion for the tracks have been recorded at The Crunch Recording Studio, an analogue and digital recording studio in a 3000 square foot Cold War bunker near Coltishall. The studio has an impressive collection of vintage and modern equipment and talented local drummer and engineer Mikey Shaw has added some really cool drum sounds and percussion to the five original songs.
A rare mug and signed collection of gig posters have gone but there are still some very special rewards and exclusives on offer including two of my beloved guitars and some rare signed memorabilia from my back catalogue. By pledging you will also be helping Dogs Trust in Snetterton as I spend a lot of time walking rescue dogs in the area. As a reward to all pledgers, I am also providing some exclusives including free acoustic downloads of new material. For all the updates and information please take a look here:
https://www.pledgemusic.com/
Future Radio
I always enjoy doing local radio sessions and interviews and recently I’ve been on the other side of the microphone spending time at excellent local community radio station Future Radio in Norwich. I’ve been recording demos and learning the various studio techniques involved in hosting and researching a show. I’ve also sat in on regular shows including Drive Time, Norwich Today and soundtrack programme Sight of Music. As a huge music fan and supporter of the local music and arts scene, I’m excited to be hopefully hosting my own show in the not too distant future!
To check out Future Radio’s website and playlists visit http://futureradio.co.uk
Norwich Film Festival
I recently enjoyed an outstanding collection of short film screenings at The Forum as part of Norwich Film Festival. Friday Night Shorts returned for a third year and brought an inspiring evening of Officially Selected films which explored themes of romance, discrimination and identity. There were also moments of comedy with the hilarious “Five Star Fouad” - which saw Dominic West robbing a bank - to “Sam Did It (Out of Competition)” where a morgue attendant encounters his hero Alfred Molina. Another acclaimed actor, Jason Watkins, also featured in “The Overcoat” an adaptation of Russian writer Nikolai Gogol’s 1842 short story. It was both comic and tragic with quirky and arresting visuals.
The following night I saw more superb screenings; the short films that had been selected at this year’s BAFTA awards. The nominations featured a mix of
harrowing, funny, thought provoking and heartfelt contemporary stories. There was also animation including the winner of British Short Animation ‘Poles Apart’, a sweet story about a solitary polar bear featuring the voice of Helena Bonham Carter. Afterwards there was an insightful Q&A with director Colin O’Toole who won this year’s BAFTA Award for Best Short Film with the excellent “Cowboy Dave” which was also shown.
It was fascinating to learn that the Manchester set film was inspired by a real life musician and drifter “Cowboy Dave” Rowbotham and Colin’s encounter with him as a 12 year old boy. Both humorous and hard-hitting, the cast includes respected actors Sam Spruell, Steve Evets and Christine Bottomley. As well as discussing the film Colin also talked about the challenges of bringing short films to a wider audience and the opportunities that winning a BAFTA have brought him as well as revealing his future creative projects.
Upcoming Local Gig at Norwich Arts Centre
I’m looking forward to opening a great night of live music from local promoters The Tilting Sky at Norwich Arts Centre on November 30th. East Anglian-based seven-piece Morganway headline and tickets are already close to selling out.
Morganway perform an exciting blend of Americana, country, rock and blues, combining five part harmonies with driving riffs. After a summer that’s seen the band opening the Cambridge Folk Festival Stage 2 and Stradisphere Festival - where I also performed - they are currently recording their debut album which is due for release in early 2019. Also performing on the night are The Turf Club Racebook and Sweet Crisis.
Following my Arts Centre appearance I’m also looking forward to an upcoming London show when I’ll be playing the award-winning Green Note in Camden on 4th December. I will also be part of Blue Joanna’s December 23rd Christmas Show which is always a really fun musical event.
For all my music news, gigs and teaching information please check out my links:
https://twitter.com/
https://www.facebook.com/
https://www.instagram.com/
https://soundcloud.com/
https://www.youtube.com/user/
https://lisaredford.bandcamp.
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.
Did you know that singing is scientifically proven to reduce stress, lower blood pressure and release endorphins? Group singing also builds a sense of community and boosts your confidence and wellbeing.
Music and singing has always been there for me; during these past few tough months it has particularly provided a real release and escape from the difficult time we have all faced.
During these past two years, many of us have struggled with feelings of isolation and loneliness, and as a performing songwriter and music tutor who thrives on the energy of an audience and enjoys the interaction with my students, I have found it really challenging. Despite continuing to find alternative ways to perform my music online and teach my music lessons since March 2020 via Zoom, it was very strange not seeing others for a very long time.
As some of you know, last year I wrote a fundraising single for Norwich community station Future Radio, This Fine City - a celebration of Norwich and also a message of hope with us all coming together to get through this challenging and unprecedented time. It felt very rewarding that it was received so well, gaining radio airplay and local media coverage - including being featured here in an article I wrote for All Things Norfolk - whilst, more importantly, raising funds to help Future find a new city centre studio.
It’s continued to be a challenging start to the year for us all; for myself, with the lack of gigs and festivals on the horizon, it can be hard to find inspiration. I wanted to start the year on a positive note; be creative, while also doing something good, and felt that I wanted to do something for another local charity. One in the Crowd is a new acoustic song in aid of Safe Rescue for Dogs, whose events I have previously attended. As a huge animal lover and dog walker - mostly to springer spaniel Wesley who was also my co-star in the video for From Afar, a single I wrote and recorded during the first lockdown - I know the joy and unconditional love that they bring into our lives.
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
