Happy New Year! Wishing you all a very happy, healthy and productive 2024.
“A fine voice from a fine city!” Such an exciting start to the year – I have a lovely in-depth interview/feature in the new January issue of Suffolk Norfolk Life magazine. Available in WH Smith, local shops, from their website or call 01728 622030 to buy a copy for £3.50 (plus postage).
It was really nice to speak to John Kerrison about my music career, songwriting, private teaching, music courses & well-being sessions for Adult Learning, as well as my work as a supporting artist in some Norfolk and Suffolk films and TV shows.
Do you know anyone who would like to learn to play guitar or ukulele in 2024? Or have you always wanted to learn how to sing? I am running one-to-one and small group lessons in Norwich NR2 at the beautiful Christ Church. Fun sessions tailored just for you with flexible times. A safe and welcoming space, no previous experience needed! Please contact me at parrotrecords@gmail.com
Really nice to see my recent interview with the Eastern Daily Press newspaper is now online. The link is here
As the interview mentions, I’ve been really invested in my teaching and sharing my passion for music, with beginner guitar and ukulele courses and community singing, I’ve recently finished teaching my first Singing for Wellbeing courses and look forward to running more inspiring singing sessions and music courses next year. Wishing you all a Wonderful Christmas and happy and fulfilling 2023!
Lisa Redford EDP Newspaper – The Big Interview. Photo: Denise Bradley
Abbie and I are cover stars! Huge thanks to Mark Nicholls and the EDP for featuring me in this weekend’s EDP newspaper. It was lovely to sit down with Mark and talk about my music career, support from Whispering Bob Harris, songwriting, teaching music courses at Adult Learning , as well as my recent ventures into acting and filming .
The feature also mentions Future Radio, Access Creative and performing at this year’s Brisley Live at The Brisley Bell and Deepdale Festival.
Lisa Redford. Photograph by Denise Bradley, Archant
Lisa Redford and Bob Harris
New Music Courses
“I think you’re a very engaging teacher, knowledgeable and personable. I would highly recommend.”
I have just finished teaching my beginner ukulele and guitar courses in Norwich this term and it was really rewarding to teach such enthusiastic learners who progressed so well.
I’m very excited to be running the fun and friendly 10 week sessions again at Wensum Lodge, Norwich for Adult Learning, Norfolk County Council from January 9th 2023. As well as beginner courses, for the first time I’m also teaching a Ukulele for Improvers course.
I’d really love to see some new students – more information on Guitar for Beginners here
It has been so rewarding and fun leading Singing for Wellbeing courses in Norwich for Adult Learning. Join me in a new wellbeing-focused online group for mental health service user charity Viewpoint, where we’ll be singing a selection of classic, well-known songs to uplift, connect, make you smile and improve your overall wellbeing. The first free session kicks off on Monday 5th December at 7pm!
As before, there’s no previous experience required. Just bring along an open mind and a joy for music! All are welcome – book your place now!
Viewpoint Community Singing Group
Toys that Built America – Season Two
Lisa Redford in The Toys that Built America on the History Channel
Now showing on the HISTORY channel in the US, the second series of #ToysThatBuiltAmerica The stories behind the innovations, inventions, and revolutions of some of history’s greatest toys. I appear in two episodes – the first, “Masters of the Universe” about the beginnings of iconic action figures, notably #StarWars, and as a stylish #Edwardian lady.
To see my appearance – and 70s hair! – in the first episode playing Ray Wagner’s PA, got to my Facebook page
Songs from the Shows Community Singing Event at The Forum Atrium
Very excited for this! After a wonderful few weeks running fun community singing sessions in the spring, which was so rewarding and uplifting, I’m looking forward to be singing some well known songs from the musicals in the Atrium The Forum, Norwich on Thursday 6th October between 6pm – 7pm – come and join us! This free special event is in support of the Norfolk Music Sets Friends as part of a fundraising Community Singing Event.
Notes on a Scandal on Investigation Discovery Channel
Lisa Redford as Mary Kay LeTourneau in Notes on a Scandal – Investigation Discovery Channel
It’s always really exciting seeing that filming projects I’ve worked on now being shown on the small screen. Recently premiered on Investigation Discovery in the US was my portrayal of Mary Kay Letourneau entitled “Mary Kay Letourneau: Notes On A Scandal” as part of #Killer90sOnID
Had a lovely first week teaching my beginner ukulele and guitar courses at Wensum Lodge. For further details of upcoming music courses, take a look at Adult Learning’s website where they will be more creative classes and workshops added.
Lisa Redford performing at Brisley Live at The Brisley Bell, Norfolk
Huge thanks to Adam Pryke Photography for these cool shots from a lovely afternoon performing at the first Brisley Live at The Brisley Bell near Dereham in Norfolk. A beautiful setting and wonderful family atmosphere. Next festival performance is Saturday September 24th at Deepdale Festival in Burnham Deepdale, another gorgeous location. It was lovely to chat to Jason Borthwick about my creative process and appearing at the festival for the Deepdale Podcast. Listen to the interview here
Lisa Redford and Jason French performing at Brisley Live at The Brisley Bell
Lisa Redford ‘Anything But Easy’ | Under the Apple Tree Session
Ahead of some live concerts, I’m excited to share this never seen before live session for Whispering Bob Harris #UnderTheAppleTree which has been uploaded to my YouTube channel. Performing ‘Anything But Easy’ awhile back. The brilliant musician and dear friend Alan Cook on dobro. Thanks to Bob & all at #UTAT for the lovely memory & their support of #indieartists Thanks for watching.
My first headline show in a long, long time is next month. Performing in Beccles, Suffolk for Martello Promotions who promote the finest acoustic music in the North Suffolk area. Tickets are available online here It would be lovely if you can join me for what will be a very special night. I’m also booking other gigs – all details will be on the show page.
I’ve been continuing to record and perform live acoustic covers for Rob Butler’s show on BBC Radio Norfolk. Some of them have been uploaded to my SoundCloud page and here’s a live video of me playing Bruce Springsteen’s anthem ‘Dancing in the Dark’
My various creative activities have included doing some more writing for Songwriting Magazine. My my recent feature is a review of Gary Barlow’s songwriting course for BBC Maestro. Check out the review here
I’ve also been doing some acting! It’s been really fun to be part of the cast for various shows including a history and music documentary series. Will be sure to reveal more details when they are broadcast. More photos on my Instagram
Part of the cast in a history documentary series. Details to follow.
Playing a rock chick in upcoming music documentary series
BBC Radio Norfolk music feature for Rob Butler’s show
It’s been really fun to be part of a new regular music feature for Rob Butler’s show on BBC Radio Norfolk where I’ve recorded live acoustic covers from the 80’s and beyond, as well as Britpop tracks and Pride anthems. Rob previously featured the Future Radio fundraising single ‘This Fine City’ and interviewed me about it for Norwich City fanzine show The Scrimmage. So far I have performed six brilliant songs: the classic pop of Erasure’s ‘A Little Respect’, Tom Petty’s anthemic ‘I Won’t Back Down’, ‘Slide Away” by Oasis, ‘Inbetween Days’ The Cure and most recently ‘So in Love’ by OMD. I’ve also covered ‘Jolene’ by the one and Dolly Parton and you can see a live performance on YouTube as well as hear the version on my Soundcloud page Keep listening to Rob’s show (Monday – Wednesday evenings) for my next covers challenge!
Dolly Parton ‘Jolene’ acoustic cover
Broadcast for International Women’s Day
It was lovely to be part of a very exciting and creative broadcast being played across the U.K. for this year’s International Women’s Day. I was among 30 female artists from across the country invited to write & recorded a brand new piece in under a day to be broadcast on community radio stations around the country, including Future Radio. The full #internationalwomensday broadcast is now available to listen to online at SoundCloud – my original piece written ‘Wings to Fly’ is at 11:30 https://soundcloud.com/soundart-radio
Safe Rescue for Dogs feature for All Things Norfolk
I wrote about the IWD broadcast in one of my recent columns for All Things Norfolk. I also shared details of ‘One in the Crowd’ – acoustic charity single for Safe Rescue for Dogs – and it was lovely to receive airplay on various radio stations for the song as well as getting to talk about it and introduce it on a BBC Upload show – a show that showcases local creative talent of all kinds. Thanks also to Belles and Gals for this lovely article about the song and for having me perform recently for one of their #UKCMSA live-streams.
BBC Upload
After writing a feature for the winter issue, it’s lovely to have contributed another new article ‘Lessons Learned in Lockdown’ to the brilliant spring issue of Songwriting Magazine. The new issue is packed with tips, news, reviews, gear and interviews featuring Diane Warren, Teenage Fanclub, Hailey Whitters, Tom Grennan, Newton Faulkner, Peggy Seegar and more. Available at Pocketmags here
“Your new single is a beautiful song. I really like the traditional country sound, the musical arrangement is hair raising! Your voice has a real Jennifer Nettles feel too.” Tessa-Leanne Snart. Huge thanks to Sound & Country Vision for recently making new single ‘I Just Can’t Forget’ Track of the Week and to all the other radio stations that have played it and anyone who has streamed, download and purchased it – so so appreciated.
“Vocally and lyrically the song is so blissfully authentic and smooth to listen to which is a recurring theme from the EP that has a real strong feel of warmth and honesty..‘I Just Can’t Forget’ incorporates this exquisite use of musical talent with glorious harmonies to accompany Redford’s vocal prowess and beautiful songwriting.” Thanks also to Think Country for this beautiful review.
I’ve made a little video for the single featuring clips from a lovely trip to the South of France and my Under the Apple Tree Session for Whispering Bob TV, where I performed the song live.
“I Just Can’t Forget is the prize track on the EP Edge of Love by British country singer Lisa Redford. That EP was released last May, and I reviewed it on these pages at the time. And I still stand behind what I said back then: it takes real talent to make a tearjerker like this sound moving but not overly sentimental, and Redford pulls it off with ease.” ’I Just Can’t Forget’ a Favourite Song of the Month! Thank you to Slim Chance in The Netherlands
More European reviews. Huge thanks to French music blog Alongside Nashville for this lovely feature about ‘Edge of Love’ – hope to perform there again soon ~ European tour for 2020?
Check out the brand new November/December issue of Maverick Magazine – out now! Tons of wonderful artists are featured including Lady Antebellum, Kelsea Ballerini, Ashley McBryde plus ‘I Just Can’t Forget’ is included on the brilliant free CD. Available via their website www.maverick-country.com & select WH Smiths.
New Interviewand Feature “Edge of Love has 5 self-written songs that are a blend of styles that I’m inspired by: Americana, country, folk, soul and pop…” Huge thanks to Merryn Music for this cool interview
“Lisa Redford has been a long time favourite of ours here at Belles and Gals – she was one of the first UK artists we ever featured and one of the first we ever interviewed too!” Huge thanks to my friends at Belles and Gals for also featuring new single “I Just Can’t Forget”
Enjoy Music More Interview and Live Acoustic Session – Five minutes with Lisa Redford
Here’s a brand new interview and live acoustic session with the Eastern Daily Press Newspaper. Playing an unplugged version of Edge of Love the title track of the new EP. Link and video here
Leaving Traces – Celebrating Neal Casal
I was very honoured to recently perform at Leaving Traces – a beautiful and moving celebration of the music, life and photography of the incredible Neal Casal alongside some wonderful musicians at The Betsey Trotwood in London. All proceeds from the sold out concert went to Music Minds Matter – more information regarding their work here.
Below are a couple of Neal’s amazing songs that I performed on this truly emotional evening – one of my absolute favourites ‘All the Luck in the World’ from his stunning album ‘Rain, Wind and Speed’ and the incredible ‘Fell on Hard Times.’ Thanks to the brilliant Alan Cook for joining me on pedal steel and to Pierangela Manzetti for filming this truly special night. It was also lovely to perform a duet with the brilliant Danny George Wilson (Bennett, Wilson, Poole/Danny and The Champions of the World)
‘All the Luck in the World’ Live at The Betsey Trotwood
Huge thanks to British Country Airplay for making me Artist of the Week. This will mean lots of airplay for my songs across various country music shows.
Had a great time in August performing more summer festival and events. Thanks to Trevor Allen for some lovely photos from my set at The Waterfront Sessions. He also filmed the black and white live video below for latest single “Let Go.”
Thanks to 140 Promotions for filming “The Edge of Love.”
Such a special moment! performing to a full room and hearing the lovely audience singing along to this Cat Stevens classic. Thanks for the warm reception Weyfest Music Festival
“Lisa has an easy, beautifully textured voice and an achingly candid way with a lyric..sharp, sweet insight and heart-tugging hooks, the sounds of her different worlds collide to soothe your soul..” Beautiful review for ‘Edge of Love’ ❤️ huge thanks to respected music journalist, publicist and broadcaster Alan Cackett for featuring on his brilliant website. Full review here
“For those looking for a folk-laden country record, you need look no further.” The second lovely review for new EP ‘Edge of Love’ in 24 hours! An honour to also be compared to the amazing Nanci Griffith. Huge thanks to Building Our Own Nashville for this wonderful review
New Interviews! Lovely to chat to Samantha Melrose for her brilliant ‘The Inside Track‘podcast. Talkingcountry music, being a woman in music and independent artist, plus new EP Edge of Love❤️ thanks for listening.
I also chatted to Laura Klonowski about the writing of new single “Let Go” Huge thanks Laura and Belles and Gals Full interview here
I’m excited that ‘Let Go’ from the new EP ‘Edge of Love’ will be released as a single on 26 July. It has already had some lovely reviews and airplay. Thanks so much to everyone who has supported the release. Little teaser video filmed in France:
“pretty much perfect pop-rock country” RnR Magazine****
“For our money though, the late-night draw of ‘Let Go’ wins hands down with its impression of attempting to win over a hardened crowd at the local honky-tonk via an abundance of harmonies and hooks (with special mention going to the pedal steel and 12-string Rickenbacker).” Famous Last Words Norway
“bright, confident, uptempo..has a “stronger on my own” attitude of liberation..cracking.” Outline Magazine – 9.5 out of 10
“can’t get ‘Let Go’ out of my head.” Zetland FM Country
“a little bit Country, a little bit Folk, a little bit Pop and a whole lot of heartfelt soul!” The Music Below
The single coincides with a few lovely summer festivals and events that I am performing including Ipswich Music Day – the biggest one day music event in the country – new festival F-19 on 27 July and a special Americana day at Norwich Waterfront featuring a host of great bands and artists. More information at the show page.
It was great to perform recently at the brilliant Red Rooster Festival and I was privileged to be selected for a special Americana Music Association UK (AMA-UK) stage featuring an amazing line-up of international female artists – part of a pioneering EU Keychange PRS Foundation pledge to ensure a 50-50 gender balance on festival lineups by 2020.
“Our advice would be to catch her in a small venue now before you can only see her headlining the main stage at C2C Country to Country C2C Country to Country .” Another lovely review for “Edge of Love” ❤️ also compared to Sarah Darling The Shires and Ward Thomas – Huge thanks Shire Folk Magazine July/August edition.
“Edge of Love” is now released worldwide! Been blown away by the wonderful reviews and feedback. You can can get a digital download or signed limited edition CD at my Bandcamp store
“The EP offers a wonderful collection of songs about love – touching on every aspect, whether it’s excitement and nerves leading up to a relationship, the time within, or the aftermath. ‘Edge of Love’ is emotional throughout and once again, Lisa has firmly cemented herself as one of the leading singer songwriters of our genre. Brilliant.” Belles and Gals
“classic heartbreak and sparkling pop..the pretty much perfect pop-rock of “Let Go,” it’s Redford’s expressively versatile and engaging voice that adds the gilt edge. Her ability to pen songs of genuine quality..suggests that her moment is due very soon.” RnR Magazine ****
The title track also features on the Un-Herd cover mount CD in the May/June issue of RnR Magazine.
“It’s fair to say I’ve been really impressed by everything here; not just Lisa’s gorgeously expressive and honeyed voice but her clever and intricate songwriting too; with both combining best of all on my Favourite Track I Just Can’t Forget, which is a real class act in itself and made me stare at the speakers in wonderment the first time I heard it.” Rocking Magpie Read full review here
“I Just Can’t Forget and the beautifully intimate closing track Alone Tonight are simply gorgeous tearjerkers. It takes real talent to make such songs not sound overly sentimental and sappy, and Redford pulls it off with class. Like I said: that’s how I prefer my country.” Slim Chance, NL Read full review here
“quality, classy pop music with substance that will no doubt sound as fresh and relevant in a decade as they sound today…a timely reminder that she is one of our most talented songwriters..” Penny Black Music. Full review here
“who knew that five tracks could vary so much in style and still feel so connected. This EP has the impact of an album because of it’s versatility and charm. When it comes to the Edge of Love EP, It’s a little bit Country, a little bit Folk, a little bit Pop and a whole lot of heartfelt soul! The Edge of Love EP kept me interested from start to finished with it’s charm. The Music Below Full review here
“A quite superior EP, that has had to fight against the odds to even be heard, and is well worthy of your attention.” W21 Music Read full review here
“Edge of Love” is catchy and harmoniously rich. Combining all that is so adored about Americana, country and melodic pop, Lisa Redford is a gifted artist and shows off her talents through her emotional depictions of love and loss in each track. Her expressions sound heartfelt and pure..Redford gives her all into this EP and that remains very clear throughout.” Maverick Magazine ****
Thanks also to everyone who came along to the EP launch show and for making it such a special night. Thanks to Richard Dales Coupland at Zetland Country for filming “I Just Can’t Forget” more live videos at YouTube and Instagram
Huge thanks to Ted Briggs-Comstock for joining me on dobro and banjo. Photos by Rodney Kidd.
Huge thanks to all the radio shows that have played tracks from “Edge of Love.” I’m in session all this week on BBC Radio Suffolk. Hear 5 live acoustic tracks every evening from 18.30 on Stephen Foster’s Drive Time Show.
