It’s been lovely to chat to Louise Hulland on BBC Radio as part of a new monthly feature where I’ll be talking all things country music – the artists and songs to know, plus new releases, upcoming gigs and festivals. For the second episode, where I’m celebrating some of the exciting female artists in country music, listen from 0:40 via BBC Sounds.
Women in Country Music
Have some lovely summer shows and festivals coming up. Performing on Friday 8th May as part of 1.3 East Cromer Fringe Festival alongside Folk on the Pier. I’ll be at the Clifftonville Hotel at 6pm.
Then I’ll be part of the line up for the Big Day Out at the beautiful Aldeburgh Festival/Britten Pears Arts. Performing on the Fisher Gin stage from 1:30 pm as part of an afternoon showcasing sets from East Anglian musicians covering Americana, vibrant country pop, folk and high-energy rock. Details here
Wishing you all a wonderful and music-filled new year. December was a very busy one, full of creative moments. It was really fun to play some festive songs and originals at a solo, acoustic gig at Adnams Norwich on Unthank Road.
Thanks so much to everyone who came along.
It was also so great to be back in a recording studio – the fantastic Ashwood studios in Norwich – after awhile. I added my vocals and guitar to a very special and wonderful piece of music – more details on this exciting project soon.
I also had a fantastic time celebrating the holiday season by running a Holly Jolly Sing-along at the American Library. We sang lots of Christmas classics and it was great to have singers and artists of all ages get into the holiday spirit with me. The American Library will have many more creative events coming this year, so keep an eye out on Eventbrite to learn more.
Check out the amazing melodic and electronic sound of Science Associates on Soundcloud – among all the great tracks producer Phill Coady has uploaded, there’s remixes of my song “If We Meet Again”and a version of Bastille’s “Pompeii” featuring my vocals.
Science Associates “Pompeii” (EX87 Remaster)
Lisa Redford “If We Meet Again” (Science Associates Calm Mix, 2013)
Thanks so much to everyone who joined me for a really lovely afternoon singing timeless 1940s wartime songs at The Forum, Norwich for Silver Wings: The US Army Air Forces in WWII Norfolk from The Forum and American Library – Memorial to the 2nd Air Division, USAAF
Lisa Redford Silver Wings Singing Event at The Forum Norwich
It was such an honour to assist with the wonderful Silver Wings exhibition in September and to meet so many amazing people with moving, heartfelt stories to share. So important to commemorate such a historic time and acknowledge the sacrifices made.
The next music event I’m running at the American Library is a joyful and uplifting Christmas singalong. Join me on Monday 22nd December at 1pm to get together to sing some festive classics. This free event is welcome to singers of all ages, fully accessible, and no singing experience is required! Booking required via Eventbrite.
Holly Jolly Sing-Along
I will also be performing live on Saturday 6th December as part of an Adnams big festive tasting event on Unthank Road, Norwich.
Come along and sing some festive songs with me, plus sample delicious seasonal wine, beer, spirits and food.
Lisa Redford “When it Hurts the Most” New Original Song
I’ve been writing some new material lately and here’s a live video of a brand new heartfelt acoustic song, “When it Hurts the Most” – it was nice to take advantage of the beautiful autumn weather and play it outside the Mid Norfolk Railway at County School Station. Thanks for watching at my YouTube channel.
Ended 2024 in print. Really nice to have written an article for the latest Winter issue of Songwriting Magazine. In the techniques section, I explore the healing power of singing and its various benefits for well-being. Further details here
It was fun to chat to the brilliant Heidi Secker on BBC Radio Norfolk for her brand new breakfast show. I talked about a very special year in my life and 3 tracks that mean a lot to me for a new feature “Music Sounds Better with You” – Listen here via BBC Sounds from 2 hours and 13 minutes.
Come and join me at the American Library on Saturday February 8th for a fun-filled event where you can explore your creativity and make unique vintage-inspired Valentine’s Day cards. All supplies are included. Spaces are limited so book in advance via eventbrite Don’t miss out on this opportunity to spread love and joy. Ages 5+ I will also be performing some classic American love songs!
A summer of fun events so far – Wimbledon, Latitude Festival, Lowestoft 1940s Weekend and the National Portrait Gallery
It’s been a fun summer attending a few wonderful cultural events and festivals including Wimbledon and a 1940s weekend for the Seagull Theatre in Lowestoft where I got to dress up in vintage attire. I had a fab (see what I did there!) time seeing the new Paul McCartney exhibition “Eyes of the Storm” at the National Portrait Gallery. It was so cool viewing his intimate, never-before-seen images which offer a personal perspective on what it was like to be a Beatle at the start of ‘Beatlemania. More recently, it was great to be back at Latitude Festival after a few years – so many music highlights: Impressive new talent at the Inbetweeners Stage from Access Creative and amazing sets by Metronomy and Pulp. Last weekend I went to Primadonna Festival for the first time in the beautiful surroundings of the Food Museum, Stowmarket. So much creativity there with fascinating workshops, panels and talks on writing and music. It was lovely to meet JB Gill from JLS, now a children’s author and farmer, after a talk and signing of his children’s book and a real highlight was meeting the brilliant Miki Berenyi from Lush who was there to discuss her highly acclaimed memoir ‘Fingers Crossed’
Lisa Redford at First Light Festival
In June I had a busy “two gigs in one day tour.” It was lovely to perform at First Light Festival in Lowestoft for the first time – such a warm welcome and great atmosphere. It was also wonderful to share the night again with the fantastic The Weeping Willows as part of their UK tour. Thanks to Grapevine for Music for hosting such a special night, Jason French for joining me on sublime banjo and fiddle, Chad Mason for gorgeous sound, and Katie Harris for this live photograph below.
Lisa Redford and Jason French live at Grapevine for Music, Norwich with The Weeping Willows. Picture by Katie Harris.
Lisa Redford at FutureFest 1.30pm
For my next gig I will be supporting my friends at Future Radio, performing at the inaugural FutureFest – a vibrant celebration of community, music and fun – to raise money for local charity Future Projects. Future Radio will be taking over The Brickmakers Pub on Sunday 6th August, featuring live bands on three stages, food trucks, kids activities, and DJs from midday until 11pm. Full-access tickets are just £10 (plus booking fee) and under 13s go free! Get your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/futurefest-tickets… For more information, visit futureradio.co.uk/fest/ I will be playing a solo set at 1.30 as part of this amazing and eclectic lineup. All funds raised at FutureFest will go toward local charity, Future Projects.
Ukulele Taster Session with Lisa Redford at Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library for Creativity and Wellbeing Week
I May I ran a lovely ukulele taster session for #CreativityAndWellbeingWeekAdult Learning. It was so great to see some new and also familiar faces joining me for a fun strum downstairs at Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library. Thanks to Norfolk Library and Information Service for having me.
Join me in September for some more fun group music courses. I will be teaching ukulele for beginners and improvers again as well as guitar for beginners and there will also be more singing for well-being sessions. For further information and to enrol, please visit the Adult Learning website: https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/education-and-learning/adult-learning
Ukulele courses for Adult Learning, Wensum Lodge, Norwich
Guitar for Beginners Course with Lisa Redford at Wensum Lodge, Norwich
Ukulele Taster Session with Lisa Redford
Catching Killers and Mother Undercover
Always exciting seeing filming projects I’ve worked on finally make it to the TV. Back on Netflix recently was Catching Killers – try and spot me playing a TV reporter in season 3. All episodes of brand new series Mother Undercover are now available on HULU in the US, and on Disney+ in the UK. In this inspiring series I was excited to play a photographer.
After a lovely gig together last year, I’m so looking forward to playing another show with these incredible friends – award-winning Americana/bluegrass duo The Weeping Willows next month for Steve Howlett, Grapevine For Music, Norwich on Sunday June 18th – the same day that I’ll be playing First Light Festival. This will be a very special intimate show. Don’t miss these super talented Australian friends on their UK/Switzerland summer tour! For tickets, please DM: www.facebook.com/GrapevineForMusic
Norfolk Creativity and Wellbeing Week – Ukulele Taster Session with Lisa Redford
I love teaching my ukulele courses for Adult Learning, and if you’d like to learn more about playing this joyful instrument, I’m running a ukulele taster session at Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library on Tuesday 16th May for #creativityandwellbeingweek – come and have a strum and also find out about all the music courses I run for Adult Learning. More details here
Excited to share that I will be performing at the excellent First Light Lowestoft in sunny Suffolk on Sunday 18th June. Among its amazing and eclectic line-up is Eliza Carthy and Tom McRae – two incredible artists that I have had the honour of opening for. Full line up at https://firstlightlowestoft.com
It’s been really fun putting together this little video of images and clips from various TV shows and film projects I have worked on. I have really enjoyed the process of filming and exploring another creative outlet, as well as getting to wear fabulous costumes!
Lisa Redford Showreel Video
Ukulele Courses, Adult Learning
After a really fun Ukulele for Improvers course, I’m running two ukulele courses for Adult Learning next term: Ukulele for Beginners and Ukulele for Improvers. Find out about these courses and many more #creative workshops and courses for spring here
Ukulele courses with Lisa Redford for Adult Learning
Joyful last session for the final week of my Singing for Wellbeing course at Wensum Lodge for Adult Learning. Thanks to my lovely learners for all their kind words and feedback. During the course we’ve had fun exploring popular music genres and songs. Videos are on my Facebook and Instagram as well as details of any further singing sessions.
Singing for Wellbeing course with Lisa Redford at Wensum Lodge, Norwich for Adult Learning, Norfolk County Council
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
Lisa Redford running a Songs from the Shows community singing session at The Forum, Norwich
Ran a lovely community singing session last week at The Forum, Norwich Thanks so much to everyone who came along to sing some classic musicals with me. The event was in support of Norfolk County Music Library Sets Norfolk Library and Information ServiceNorwich Millennium Library – bringing the joy of music to libraries and the community.
Singing for Wellbeing Course at Wensum Lodge, Norwich run by Lisa Redford
I am really enjoying teaching my current ukulele and guitar for beginners courses and am very excited to now be launching my first Singing for Wellbeing course later this month for Adult Learning at Wensum Lodge, Norwich. Discover the joy of singing together. Further details of how to enrol on this free 8 week course here I am also running Saturday classes including ukulele strumming sessions, more community singing and songwriting – please take a look at the Adult Learning website for updates. It was also nice to chat to Stephen Bumfrey about my community singing activities on BBC Radio Norfolk. The interview is available to listen to via BBC Sounds here – from 1:50.
Playing a journalist in This England on Sky Atlantic
This England on Sky Atlantic
Currently on Sky Atlantic is “This England” – Kenneth Branagh as Boris Johnson in an unsettling account of the government handling of the pandemic. It was thrilling to play a journalist and film on a set of Downing Street at West Raynham and Wolterton Hall, Norfolk. I even got to say a couple of lines – look out for me near the end of episode 6!
Lisa Redford and Jason French at Deepdale Festival Lisa Redford and Jason French at Deepdale Festival 2022. Photo by Jon Clifton
Had a great time playing this year’s Deepdale Festival. Lovely to be part of an amazing line-up and there’s always a warm welcome in beautiful North Norfolk – thanks to the hard working, passionate team there. Thanks to Jon Clifton for some great photos from the performance.
Lisa Redford and Jason French at Deepdale Festival 2022
