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"
Future is also a passionate champion of the local music scene, with monthly local music playlists and shows specifically focussing on local artists as well as opportunities for them to perform live. They regularly featured Ed Sheeran when he was an up and coming local musician.
Future Radio Background
Future Radio is the community radio station for Norwich and has become part of the cultural fabric of the city. Broadcasting in Norwich since 2000, it was one of the first community stations in the country to be awarded a five year full time community broadcast license in 2005. After a number of short-term trial licenses, Future Radio began broadcasting on a full time basis in August 2007 and is now one of the largest and longest running community radio stations in the UK. It is managed by a small team of dedicated staff and operated by over 70 members of the community, who create shows, alongside providing background production and journalism support. Currently the station is being operated by two staff members and 65 volunteers, of all ages and backgrounds.
The station offers the opportunity to get involved with radio, whether it is creating your own radio show, assisting with background production or developing skills in the journalism side of a radio station. The host of Radio 1 Breakfast Greg James presented the Breakfast Show in the early 2000s while studying at the University of East Anglia.
Community radio licenses are intended for social gain and community empowerment and as a community radio station, Future brings people together from across cultural divides to form a collective voice of the community. Future Radio is part of the charity Future Projects, giving disadvantaged people opportunities and support to help them back towards living independent, safe and happy lives. Future Projects also includes Future Education, a specialist independent school for children with special educational needs and Future Support, a collection of support services which help those most in need. More information is available at: http://futureprojects.org.uk/
The Covid-19 Crisis
When Future’s landlord Open Youth Trust closed, the station lost their offices and studios and now needs to raise funds to move the station and reopen for local musicians, their volunteers and listeners as soon as possible. Losing advertisers and cancelled fundraising events has already had a big financial impact and moving a radio station is a long and expensive project, made even harder with the financial impact the Covid crisis has had.
Future Radio has continued to broadcast 24 hours a day throughout the lockdown, despite having to rely almost entirely on presenters who can edit and host their shows from home.
With the news that Radio Norwich and other local stations across the county will be closing down, Future will soon be the only radio alternative to the BBC that can provide a platform for local music, views, news and content. A responsibility they do not take lightly.
This Fine City
To raise funds, Future came up with the idea of creating a charity single and I was asked by them to write a fundraising single about Norwich and how we’re all coming together and overcoming this tough time.
I wanted to write something really uplifting with an anthemic feel; a song full of hope that celebrates Norwich and special times enjoyed in the city whilst looking forward to the days when we can fully enjoy them again:
I know we’ve been low, living the unknown I believe within these city walls
We’ll rise above it all
Places name-checked include The Playhouse, The Warwick Social and the popular Blue Joanna on Unthank Road renowned for its delicious Asian style street food and live music nights where I have often performed. Ecky Limon, the owner also features on the song, playing guitar.
The recording of This Fine City is a real Future Radio effort with Andrew Todd engineering, mixing and producing the track at Future Studios on Motum Road in West Earlham. Toddy has hosted the drum and bass show on the station since the early days of Future and also works at Future Education as a creative media tutor. I sing the main vocals with Future volunteers Owen Sennitt and Teresa Gibbon also lending their voices. A few local artists and friends including Chad Mason and Yve Mary Barwood - who I played with at one of my last pre-lockdown gigs at the Bowling House - plus Callum Morgan from Morganway who I’ve played gigs with, also contribute vocals. Musicians Scott Mathieson (bass), Russell McNamara (electric guitar) and Emily White (piano) complete the Lisa Redford and Friends line up.
The song also mentions the Canaries and Pablo Fanque - real name William Darby - the first black circus proprietor, who was born in Norwich. He is also immortalised in the Beatles song Being for the Benefit of Mr Kite. Special thanks to my friend Dr Liz Chandler for the lyrical inspiration. With a rousing chorus and singalong section, I hope those in Norwich and beyond will sing along to it!
Local Radio Day
The song’s release on Friday 16 October coincides in the week of Local Radio Day which celebrates all local and community radio. This year it was on Monday 12 October and specifically celebrated communities making waves and highlighted what people have done to turn the tide on isolation, inspiring and helping others within the community.
The song costs just £1 to download and all proceeds will go towards raising funds to relocate Future Radio into a new home.
To purchase This Fine City, go to www.futureradio.bandcamp.com from Friday 16 October. To view the video please click here
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.
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 very busy and creative start to the year and I'm really looking forward to playing some lovely local gigs this month and throughout spring. These include some brand new live music nights that are happening in Norwich showcasing the wealth of talented local artists from Norfolk.
Common People at OPEN Norwich ~ Friday February 21st
My next gig is a really special one. As well as performing my own material, I love to perform many of my favourite songs from different genres. I'm looking forward to be playing an acoustic set at OPEN Norwich next weekend as part of a special 90's music charity night of Britpop, indie and dance from the team behind Common People. Expect some surprise 90's favourites in my set!
