'one of our finest singer/songwriters' Bob Harris. Acoustic, Americana. Vocal coach, guitar/ ukulele tutor. Music columnist Evening News/Songwriting Magazine. DJ at Future Radio
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
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
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
Please take a moment to watch this touching video that charity Safe Rescue for Dogs have put together, giving an insight into the amazing work they do rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming dogs from the UK and abroad.
I have written and recorded the music in the video to the words by one of the team Kelly Hare. On reading her touching and heartfelt poem I was moved to help them raise funds and awareness for all the hard work this very small team do to save dogs in dreadful conditions in the shelters.
If you would like to find out more and donate, take a look at their Facebook page. As a small charity they rely solely on the kindness and generosity of people to enable them to carry on rescuing and caring for the dogs. So lovely to see that there has been some money raised already.
I’ve also done a live acoustic performance from home on YouTube and written all about the inspiration and charity in a feature for All Things Norfolk
It was lovely to talk about the song and hear it played on BBC Radio Norfolk this week. Listen again to Rob Butler’s show here at 1.17. Also next week I’ll be part of a fun brand new music feature on his show, starting Monday with an 80’s cover.
Lisa Redford in Songwriting Magazine for their #keepsongwriting pledge
I’ve written articles and interviewed acclaimed artists for the brilliant Songwriting Magazine. I have also written a feature in the latest Winter issue. Songwriting is the UK’s only publication dedicated to writing songs. Aimed at songwriters and their fans alike, expect up-to-date music news, reviews and artist interviews as well as lots of practical, hands-on advice.
Very proud to be a part of their #keepsongwriting campaign where they are sharing tips and quotes, as well as highlighting the importance of creativity through these difficult times and championing those who have vowed not to stop creating original music in 2021.
Happy New Year! wishing you all a very happy and safe new year. Thanks so much for supporting me. Here’s a little version of original song New Year’s Day all about getting through a difficult time and looking to the future with hope. Full live studio version available on Spotify and Bandcamp Thank you for watching and here’s hoping for a brighter 2021
Huge thanks to Vanilla Magazine for this lovely new interview about my passion for teaching music and online music sessions 🎸🎤
Fancy having some vocal lessons or learning guitar or ukulele? I can also provide songwriting classes and help you develop any ideas. I would love to hear from you and am also offering special block booking deals.
So excited that fundraising single “This Fine City” was released on Friday ~ a heartfelt, anthemic celebration of #Norwich that I have written especially for Future Radio featuring a whole host of talented friends and musicians: Ecky Limon from the Blue Joanna (name checked in the song!), Scott Mathieson, Andrew Todd (amazing production!), Owen Sennitt, Yve Mary B, Callum Morgan from Morganway, Chad Mason, Hannah White, Russell McNamara and Teresa Gibbon. Thanks so much to all the talented friends and artists – including many Future volunteers – who were a part of this very special project. Huge thanks of course to all the hard working team at Future Radio. Please listen, donate and share the Bandcamp link below – all funds raised from the single will help Future to relocate to a new home – let’s help them find a new studio!
Already been receiving lots of great press for the single. Was lovely to be Story of the Day at Folk Features – Uplifting stories for Norfolk and Suffolk, brought to you by Emma Outten:
Article at Folk Features
I’ve also written a column for my friends at All Things Norfolk about the making of “This Fine City” read the article here
So lovely that the song has already touched people and really resonated. Here’s a beautiful review from Richard Shashamane for his Norwich: Music City, UK Blog:
Immediately upon my first listening to this rousing celebration of Norwich and hope for the future I felt renewed optimism as well as being quite moved by the heartfelt love of the city so sincerely expressed in song. Joyous and triumphant in its hope.
This Fine City video still
There has also been some lovely BBC airplay for ‘This Fine City’ over the weekend! Thanks to BBC Music Introducing in Norfolk and BBC Music Introducing in Suffolk plus the single was played on Stephen Foster’s BBC Radio Norfolk and BBC Radio Suffolk show on the week from 6pm. Listen via BBC Sounds. I have been recording a few interviews including one with Good Health Radio in Australia. This will available on Monday October 19. I have also been doing some interviews for local television including That’s TV East – video here Also this Tuesday October 20 Ecky Limon and I talked about the single on ITN News Anglia and played a snippet of the song outside the Blue Joanna.
Interview on ITV News Anglia
Playing “This Fine City” outside The Blue Joanna, Norwich with Ecky Limon on guitar
Been doing lots of radio interviews to promote the single and it was lovely to chat to David Eastaugh for arts and culture show Platform, all about the inspiration for the song. You can hear the interview at: https://futureradio.co.uk/futureplayer/mixcloudplayer/3632
Huge thanks to Jamie at Grapevine Live Magazine – remember performing for the Grapevine Live stage at Ipswich Music Day – for a lovely interview all about the single here
As you know, I love to have my songs remixed and it’s been wonderful to work again with Neil Timbers who has done a brilliant electronic remix of ‘The Edge of Love’
I hope that you’re keeping safe and well. As many of you know from my social media posts, I’ve been continuing to keep creative with various projects and live streams and I really enjoyed putting this special clips video together for my song “Summer on the L” – all about my time living in New York City – making friends and memories, the highs and lows, and performing and recording there as an artist.
Footage includes clips from inside and outside the Dakota Building, Times Square, Brooklyn, Central Park, 4th of July fireworks, Governors Island, the short film ‘Q to the 6 Train’ (for which I wrote the original score) as well as recording in the studio and live performances from The New York Songwriters Circle and Alive with Clive TV show. Thanks so much for watching this very personal video and all the love for this particular song during my recent live streams.
I always love collaborating with other artists and also hearing my songs remixed. Thanks to Phillip Coady – who has remixed tracks of mine in the past, on SoundCloud – for this gorgeous, dreamy electronic mix of ‘Edge of Love’ ❤️ the title track of my latest EP. Thanks for giving it a listen and huge thanks to Park RadioBBC SuffolkBBC Music Introducing in Suffolk for the airplay.
Country in the Kitchen podcast
It was lovely to be interviewed for Country In The Kitchen Podcast last week; a great podcast that features guests from the UK independent country music scene. I talked to host Tessa-Leanne Snart about being creative during lockdown with the release of ‘From Afar’, being an independent artist and arts/music columnist, the UK country music scene and more. The episode, Volume 15, is now available to listen to and download at PodbeaniTunes and Spotify
I’ve also recorded a live acoustic session for Russell Hill’s Country Music Show. This will be broadcast on Sunday August 9th between 11am and 2pm.
Live acoustic session for Reepham Festival
Live stream gig at Facebook
Talking of live music, I’ve been doing some acoustic live streams from my own Facebook and also for festivals including Buckle and Boots and SW20 spring festival. I’m planning more and always love to hear your requests. This weekend on Saturday August 8th I’m doing a special acoustic live session for Reepham Festival between 6pm and 9pm I’ve also been continuing to play acoustic requests at my YouTube channel including this beautiful and timeless Sandy Denny song.
Cover of Sandy Denny “Who Knows Where the Time Goes”
I’ve still been getting lots of love for lockdown single ‘From Afar’ and recently posted a ukulele version – thanks so much to those of you who have purchased the song from my Bandcamp page
This is such a difficult time for us all. 💔 I do hope you are keeping safe and healthy. Dealing with cancelled & postponed gigs and heartbroken that my upcoming trip to Nashville for meetings, radio sessions and shows has been cancelled. However, I am continuing to share my passion for music. 🎶 Teaching guitar, vocals and ukulele via Skype, WhatsApp, Zoom and FaceTime. Please go to the teaching page to find out more and to read testimonials. You can also email parrotrecords@gmail.com The show page will also be updated with any rescheduled dates. Please keep safe everyone. 💕
My CD’s are looking pretty in HMV Norwich! Instagram post from HMV Norwich Chapelfield – On sale now in our store, are 5 releases from the amazing Lisa Redford in our live and local section!
Thanks to Simon Moore, Breadknife Music for filming ‘Why’ live at BFR Presents at the Bowling House. Jason French on banjo. More live clips at https://www.instagram.com/lisaredfordmusic/
Live at the Reindeer Norwich for Tilting Sky Presents Songwriter Sessions. Photo by Dickie Hartt.
