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
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
It’s been a very busy Summer already! I had so much fun performing a special acoustic concert in beautiful Pézenas, South of France with superb guitarist Luigi Notarangelo.
I have posted some more live videos on YouTube and also on Instagram. Here is “Call Me”
A cover of “Lovesong” by The Cure:
Following that I performed a lovely headline concert for my friends in Burnham Deepdale. Here is a cover of “Rocket Man” thanks to the audience for singing along!
Just this past weekend I enjoyed a beautiful sultry night playing Stradisphere Music Festival and it was lovely to meet the brilliant Mercury Music Prize winning Badly Drawn Boy ahead of his excellent headline set.
It was also a joy to perform “Courage” with my amazing student Breeze Redwine:
A post shared by Lisa Redford (@lisaredfordmusic) on Jul 7, 2018 at 12:43am PDT
The day after, I had a great time at Maverick Festival seeing some memorable performances and soaking up the always warm, friendly atmosphere. I also had a lot of fun performing on the Jimmy Rodgers stage. Huge thanks to James Hodder and Tin Can Review for a lovely afternoon of live music.
One of my favourite acts of the weekend were Australia’s Lachlan Bryan and The Wildes – who I also saw perform last year – and I recently interviewed Lachlan for Songwriting Magazine ahead of their UK tour. It was great to catch up with them and also wonderful singer songwriter Imogen Clark. Here is us after their wonderful set in The Barn:
“This is a beautiful performance from Lisa as she accompanies herself on acoustic guitar with Alan Cook playing pedal steel guitar.” Huge thanks to Stephpar’s Song A Day for this lovely review of my brand new song “I Just Can’t Forget” performed in session for Whisperingbobtv
“Heartfelt lyrics, great singing and playing. Hope this Apple Tree will bear more of these in the future” Thanks also to Radio Campagne in The Netherlands for their kind words and all the airplay of my music.
Following my recent acoustic session for Whispering Bob TV, it was lovely to have one of my live tracks “I Just Can’t Forget” included on a great playlist on UTAT Radio, Chris Country.
I also recorded a live session and interview for Park Radio, a lovely community radio station with an eclectic playlist. There’s been such a great response when I performed for the live feed that there have been orders for my releases! Thanks so much to all of those of you who have listened and ordered my material.
More live videos have been added to my YouTube channel including “Carolina Rain” live from Norwich Waterfront:
Had a lovely time performing at Hygge Festival in Burnham Deepdale. Playing a cover of Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down”
Looking ahead, am really looking forward to performing on the EarBelly acoustic stage at Ramblin’ Roots Revue. Included on a lovely Americana playlist on Spotify:
It’s been a busy few days! Had a wonderful night performing at Norwich Waterfront Studio opening for Sarah Darling. It was exciting to perform two brand new songs and lovely to have the brilliant Noel Dashwood joining me on exceptional dobro and harmony vocals.
New song “I Just Can’t Forget”
Rehearsing new song “Anything But Easy” before the show:
Sarah sounded absolutely sublime and it was a joy to support her.
“With dobro player Noel by her side, she opened up the evening with a great array of original songs which she has written over her substantial career as a musician.
It was easy to be drawn in by her elegant and classy deliverance” Huge thanks to the EDP Newspaper for this great review.
“Lisa performs numbers from her recent Another Place and Time EP, several brand new songs, and also one of my favourites, Carolina Rain from the earlier Slipstream album. Lisa has always moved seamlessly between the worlds of country and folk, but tonight’s set understandably steers more towards the former, and provides a great opener to tonight’s show.” And thanks also to Outline Magazine for their kind words.
Prior to the show I was interviewed by Fatea Magazine about songwriting, favourite artists and my career. Huge thanks to Nic Rigby.
The following day I had a lovely afternoon recording my second Under the Apple Tree session for Whispering Bob TV. It’s always special catching up with Bob Harris and for this session it was so nice to be reunited with pedal steel player Alan Cook who played on my second album “Lost Again”.
Bob Harris and I between two pedal steel greats! Chris Hillman and Alan Cook.
Very excited that I’ll be supporting the wonderful Nashville singer songwriter Sarah Darling at The Waterfront Studio on March 15th as part of her first UK headline tour. Having supported her last year on the A Night in Nashville tour I know it’s going to be an amazing show.
Photos below are from another great time at this year’s AmericanaFest conference and awards which I was covering for iSing Magazine. The Awards, hosted by Bob Harris, were full of wonderful performances including Lifetime Achievement winner Robert Plant and Trailblazer recipients Mumford and Sons.
Now on Mixcloud! My People’s Playlist radio show on Future Radio, talking about songs that have been a soundtrack to my life. Listen here to tracks by The Smiths, Ryan Adams, Sufjan Stevens, Kate Bush, Nick Drake, Kings of Convenience and more. I also played live on the Drivetime show this week previewing all my upcoming local gigs.
Women in music and country music feature in my new column for Songwriting Magazine, a review of the recent Amplify Introducing event by the BBC. Includes an interview with the one and only Bob Harris here after he hosted a panel on UK country with advice for aspiring country artists.
Another new article is my music column for All Things Norfolk.which includes another music conference, Norwich Sound and Vision, features an In Conversation with Dave Rowntree of blur.
Writing about a beautiful Ryan Adams song, “Oh My Sweet Carolina” with Emmylou Harris, in this cool regular feature for country music blog Belles and Gals.
Thanks to Oxjam Norwich for having me play last weekend. Really nice audience. Live video of “Time to Grow”
This weekend had a lovely gig supporting outstanding songwriter Tom McRae on the last date of his tour at The John Peel Centre in Stowmarket. Thanks so much to Tom for having me play and all the kind words from the audience.
Thanks also to Stephen Foster for having me as this weeks live session guest on BBC Radio Suffolk. There was a live acoustic track every evening and also an interview.
Have two gigs in a week, next one is at the lovely Guildhall in Norwich for Grapevine for Music:
And playing the night after at OPEN Norwich for a lovely night of Americana.
Enjoyed a couple of days at the inaugural Amplify Introducing at London’s Excel. Caught lots of insightful panels including ones on women in music and the current country music scene in the UK. It was lovely to catch up with the wonderful Bob Harris and get to interview him for my feature in Songwriting Magazine.
With Radio 1’s Adele Roberts after she hosted a Women in Music panel.
Had fun in another role at Future Radio where I hosted my own radio show for the People’s Playlist. I played and talked about twelve of my favourite songs. The show will be broadcast on Future Radio on Monday, 23rd October at 2pm.
On 27th October I’m very excited to be supporting outstanding songwriter Tom McRae on the last date of his tour at The John Peel Centre in Stowmarket. Tickets here.
Following that I will also be supporting highly acclaimed Americana duo The Worry Dolls at OPEN Norwich, more information here
New video, performing ‘Call Me’ in the home studio:
