It’s been a little while since my last All Things Norfolk article as it has been a very busy time. Anything But Easy - the first single from my brand new EP “Edge of Love” - was released on 22nd February and I’ve been working really hard to promote it, doing radio and magazine interviews. It has been wonderful to receive such a lovely response and so much airplay including many BBC Shows and various stations across the world. I was also recently interviewed by Sam Day on BBC Radio Norfolk and chose my Norfolk Anthems (favourite songs!) as well as talked about the single.
It is available on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify and also at my Bandcamp page:
https://lisaredford.bandcamp.
Huge thanks to All Things Norfolk who has already shared the official music video for Anything But Easy. Filmed in beautiful Dunwich and Walberswick, Suffolk on one of those glorious February days we enjoyed recently! Thanks to talented local videographer David McKenna at Light to Love Productions for filming and directing and capturing such a magic light.
Here is a link to the video - really appreciate any watches and shares via social media: https://youtu.be/8cT1opG9HiU
“Edge of Love” EP Released 10th May
I’m excited to let you know that the new EP Edge of Love will be released worldwide on 10th May. Unfortunately the release has been affected by PledgeMusic’s financial issues. As many of you may know, I crowdfunded the EP through PledgeMusic and was thrilled to have exceeded my target. Sadly, I have yet to receive any payment from them. It is thanks to the support of the many kind pledgers and fans that I’ve been determined to get the release out into the world, and the wonderful reviews that have started coming in - including 9.5 out of 10 at Outline Magazine, Norwich - has also been a real boost!
“an extremely impressive release with strong, heartfelt vocals and accomplished songwriting, musicianship and production. One can feel the creative energy and love that went into this lovely little collection of varied acoustic folk Americana.” Outline Magazine
“Was totally hooked by the opening track..plenty more to follow..clear heartfelt vocals sung with feeling & backed up by an array of excellent musicianship.” Grapevine Live Magazine
“Edge of Love” EP Launch Gig in Norwich
Advance tickets are now on sale for a special EP launch gig on 9th May at the Louis Marchesi in Tombland, Norwich. Featuring musicians who have performed on the record, including dobro player Noel Dashwood, it should be a really special evening. Here is the ticket link: https://www.
Noel Dashwood is part of wonderful Norwich based folk trio Alden, Patterson and Dashwood and they are also performing their own headline show at the Louis Marchesi on 18th April.
Further information here: www.facebook.com/events/
Future Local Gigs
As well as the launch show, I’m looking forward to returning to the lovely Hygge Festival at Burnham Deepdale on Saturday, 30th March. I will be performing at 2pm and also appearing over the weekend is a great line up including Matt Watson, Mammal Not Fish, Compass Moon, Vincent Knight and Dick York and the Originals. The Deepdale Hygge is a lovely celebration of the North Norfolk Coast, a collection of the things that bring us happiness - live music, the great outdoors, meeting old friends and new and of course the beautiful location of North Norfolk.
Visit lisaredford.com for more upcoming local gigs and festival appearances.
Arts News
I have seen many wonderful productions at the Sewell Barn Theatre and the next one - Faustus by Christopher Marlowe - will be no exception. It runs on 28,29, 30 March and 4,5 and 6 April at 7.30pm with a Matinee on 6 April at 2.30pm.
Christopher Marlowe’s Faustus is the original tale of the man who sells his soul to the devil. The Director of Sewell Barn’s production, Chris Bealey, believes that it is a story for our age: “Faustus has overweening ambition and is revered as a great doctor. Yet he wants so much more - and fast. He wants all knowledge, but without education; wealth but without labour; and power over kings and queens, but without comeback.”
Although written more than 400 years ago, Marlowe's play stands the test of time and this production of Faustus has elements that are fully modern. It is free with the script, and uses physical theatre and a very eclectic mix of music to bring the language to life.
Adam Edwards, who plays the title role, commented: "The Barn is a wonderful, intimate venue, and I've enjoyed the opportunity to draw the audience into Doctor Faustus’ many internal debates about the individual's right to steer his own course, and the realisation that we can't easily escape the consequences of our choices. The part has been both a total joy and an enormous challenge to play. Faustus’ rollercoaster ride from intellectual ennui to the pits of despair is one of soaring ambition and arrogance, and pitiable degradation.”
Tickets are available online via www.sewellbarn.org, or from St George’s Music Shop, 17-19 St Georges Street, Norwich or by phoning 01603 626414.
Norfolk & Norwich Festival 10-26 May
The Norfolk and Norwich Festival has a reputation for bringing unmissable world class performance, music and literature to the area and this year runs from 10 - 26 May.
A real highlight will be on Saturday 11 May at Norwich Cathedral Celebration with an ambitious new project, commissioned by Norfolk & Norwich Festival, from Martin and Eliza Carthy with long-time collaborators Duotone and Sheema Mukherjee (Imagined Village, Transglobal Underground), and dancer and choreographer Ewan Wardop (Matthew Bourne, Formby, Shakespeare’s Globe, The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, The Bo Diddlers)
Martin and Eliza have spent the last few months compiling and curating a collection of musical and poetical works from the East of England. Their side of the country contains myths, legends, poems and ballads from the furthest North of Northumberland, through Hull right down to Suffolk, where you can also find East Anglian step dancing, here performed by Ewan with the band. I’ve been lucky enough to support Eliza at OPEN and know we are in for a very special evening.
The grand setting of Norwich cathedral will be the perfect place to hear these epic stories and see traditional dancing,
Tickets are £10-£22
Fore information visit https://nnfestival.org.uk/
Norwich Arts Centre Highlights
Norwich Arts Centre brings two songwriting heroes to the city this spring. Kristen Hersh on April 1 will be an unmissable concert. Her prolific career - which includes front woman of Throwing Muses - has seen her heralded queen of the alternative release. Tenth studio album, ‘Possible Dust Clouds’ is a highly personalised sociopathic gem delivered as a futuristic rewriting of how music works, a melodious breeze with a tail wind of venomous din.
Chris Difford Up The Junction Tour 2019
Grammy nominated, double Ivor Novella Award winning lyricist Chris Difford headlines on May 14 as part of his “stand-up, sit-down” tour Up the Junction. The tour carries on from a successful show at 2018’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and sees Difford discussing extracts from his book Some Fantastic Place, which takes a look back at his career, whilst performing hits from across his Squeeze back-catalogue, and debuting some new solo material.
In support is another of my favourite songwriters, Boo Hewerdine, who I have performed live with and who has been a major inspiration.
For news of my new EP and teaching information, please take a look at www.lisaredford.com
I also current host an Afternoon Session show on Future Radio Wednesdays 2-3pm
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!
It has been a very busy and exciting time as my new EP Edge of Love - recorded and mastered in Norwich and featuring a whole host of local talent - is now released worldwide!
I have been blown away by the wonderful airplay and reviews I have received including 4 stars in national music magazines Maverick and RnR. The title track also features on the excellent Un-Herd cover mount CD which comes with the May/June issue of RnR, in shops now.
I have been interviewed for a few local glossy publications - including Norwich Resident Magazine, KL Magazine and Norfolk Magazine - as well as had airplay on BBC Radio Norfolk and Suffolk, most recently a live acoustic session for Drive Time on BBC Radio Suffolk with Stephen Foster.
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.
I am really excited to have launched my first ever PledgeMusic crowdfunding project for a brand new release. I have already started recording material with local band The Vagaband - recent recipients of The Music Award at the 2018 Norfolk Arts Awards - who I also recorded my last EP with.
There are some very special rewards and exclusives on offer including two beloved guitars and some rare signed memorabilia from my back catalogue. You will also be helping Dogs Trust as I spend a lot of time walking rescue dogs in the area and their companionship is truly special. Please watch the video and check out the rewards on offer - I would so appreciate any shares on social media.
Here is the PledgeMusic project link and video:
Norfolk Day will be upon us this Friday, 27th July and I am really excited to share this beautiful new music video from my incredibly talented student Breeze Redwine. Especially filmed for Norfolk Day and showcasing the stunning countryside of the county, it has already had a wonderful response and been selected as the official song for the occasion. The track is "Trust" an original song written by myself and Breeze which is also the title track of her debut EP. Everyone involved in the video is from Norfolk, from the musicians to the video director-producer David McKenna, and the project was sponsored by Rushall-based Vincent’s Garage.
Some of the county’s most iconic landmarks feature in the video including including Thurne in the Norfolk Broads, Happisburgh Light House, Cromer Pier and The Waveney Valley.