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
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, Jason French and The Weeping Willows
I recently played a lovely gig at The Reindeer Norwich. Thanks so much to everyone who came along and made it such a lovely night. It was so nice to finally share the stage with the sublime The Weeping Willows on the first night of their UK tour which included sets at Maverick Festival. Thanks to the brilliant Jason French for joining me on banjo and fiddle – live video clips at Instagram @lisaredfordmusic
I also have some lovely festivals and events coming up including Reepham Festival on Sunday August 7th. It will be great to be back at this wonderful festival and I’m performing at the historic Whitwell Station from 2pm. More details and ticket info here
Lisa Redford at Reepham Festival 2022
Looking ahead to September and I’m excited to be performing at the award-winning Brisley Pub for Brisley Live – a weekend of live music, comedy and theatre. I will be playing on Saturday September 10th. Further details and tickets here
Brisley Live – A weekend of comedy, theatre and music at The Brisley Bell
Another favourite festival is Deepdale Festival on the beautiful North Norfolk coast and I’m looking forward to returning this year amongst a wonderful line up. I will be performing on the Saturday afternoon. To book tickets and for further details, check out the website
It was so rewarding to teach my first beginner guitar and ukulele courses at Wensum Lodge for Adult learning this summer term and to receive wonderful feedback from learners who had enjoyed the courses. I will be teaching beginner courses again this September so any budding guitarists and ukulele players please check out the dates and details on the Norfolk County Council website
I’ve been wanting to do something positive and inspiring for awhile that reflects my passion for music and singing and could really make a difference to those who are struggling with their mental health or loneliness at the moment. I’m really excited to be running some free, fun and informal community singing sessions at the Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library starting Tuesday 22nd February 2.30pm – 3.30pm – also at Earlham Library at 11.00am – 12pm on the same day – and then every Tuesday for 6 weeks.
Try these new singing sessions to boost your wellbeing where we’ll be singing a selection of classic, well known songs to uplift, connect and make you smile. No previous experience is required and there is no need to read music. All are welcome – feel to come along and drop in on the day. Here’s a piece I’ve written about the sessions for my friends at All Things Norfolk on why singing and music is so important to me.
Come and join me to have fun, connect with others and improve our wellbeing through a shared singing experience!
Teaching Guitar for Beginners starting in April
I’m also really excited to be running two 10 week beginner courses in guitar and ukulele at Wensum Lodge in Norwich starting in the summer term for Norfolk County Council. I can’t wait to share my passion for teaching both instruments and to help you learn the basic skills to get you started with playing chords and strumming. More information about the guitar course is here
Teaching a Ukulele for Beginners Course – Starting in April
It has been really fun, and a new creative challenge, to try some acting and work as a supporting artist recently on a variety of drama and documentary programmes. It’s really exciting finally seeing some of the TV projects that I’ve worked on finally hitting the screen. Now on britbox, “Magpie Murders” which was filmed in beautiful Suffolk and where I played a nurse:
Also on Netflix is “Catching Killers” – being a cop!
Now showing on American subscription streaming service Acorn TV is the brand new series of Emmy Award-nominated mystery drama “Queens of Mystery”. It was a lot of fun to appear in episode “The Modern Art of Murder” Pictured here on set in London with brilliant actresses Julie Graham, Siobhan Redmond and Florence Hall.
“Let Go” Live at the Canopy Theatre, Suffolk. Jason French on fiddle
I’ve been going through some live performances from the past few months when it was great to play again to audiences. Thanks to Rodney Kidd for filming original song “Let Go” live from The Canopy Theatre, Hungate Church, Beccles, Suffolk for Martello Promotions~ a lovely headline show in September 2021. Jason French on fiddle.
Performing original song “Carolina Rain” from a lovely Women in Music Day at The Brickmakers Norwich. Jason French on fiddle. Thanks to Liz for filming.
A live solo performance this time. Always really nice to perform at Deepdale Festival in beautiful Burnham Deepdale, North Norfolk. Thanks to Karl for getting some footage of the show on iPhone.
Lisa Redford “Here Alone” Live at Canopy Theatre, Suffolk
Another performance from Canopy Theatre, Suffolk: “Here Alone” with Jason French on fiddle. More live performances on my YouTube channel.
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
I’ve been busy with a few creative projects and excited that I have written an original song for Future Radio in Norwich. The photo above is from a video shoot for the #fundraising single release. “This Fine City” will be released to coincide with #LocalRadioDay & features a host of talented friends and artists from Norfolk. More news soon!
I love to collaborate on music projects and also to perform other artists’s material – it really inspires me and my own writing – so I’ve really enjoyed interpreting this lovely, heartfelt song written by Kate Raison, a talented songwriter who I met during Chris Difford’s Songwriting Retreat last year. Here is also an acoustic demo of the song that I’ve recorded: https://soundcloud.com/user-466575967/dont-tell-me-that-you-love-me-tonight-demo-sung-by-lisa-redford
Thrilled to be in the beautiful new video by artist Megan O’Neill for her single Fire with Fire — a powerful and amazing celebration of women and women in music – alongside incredible female artists, please watch: Thank you Megan for this incredible message
“heartfelt lyrics, beautiful vocal harmonies & a gentle melody. Lisa brings out first class lyrics alongside haunting string instruments & scenic visuals.” Huge thanks to worldwide platform Music Crowns for a brilliant review of Edge of Love:
Really enjoyed the recent Sheryl Crow BBC Radio 2 #livefromhome#festival performance ❤️🎵 always loved this fantastic song of hers “Sad Sad World” from a special edition of her self-titled album released in 1996.
Not long before #lockdown my CD’s were made available to buy at HMV Norwich – check them out now and support #liveandlocal brilliant how they’re supporting local independent artists.
“I literally fall for the nostalgic and melancholy of The Edge of Love. The chords and arpeggios marry beautifully with Lisa’s fragile and emotional voice.” Claude Scébat Rock’n’Reviews “creating a melancholic melody that is captivatingly beautiful.” Build Our Own Nashville
It’s been a busy and creative start to the year – made a little video for the title track of the latest EP ‘Edge of Love’ – huge thanks Keith Greentree and The Big Country Show for playing it 🎵Listen again via BBC Sounds here
Thrilled that latest single “I Just Can’t Forget” has been chosen for Ditty Dozen at Ditty TV – a US Spotify playlist dedicated to sharing twelve of the most exciting emerging artists in Americana & Roots music! 🎵🎸Here’s the link to the playlist
Been booking some great headline shows and festivals for this spring and summer. Among the gigs is a lovely headline intimate totally acoustic concert on May 2nd in Beccles. Tickets are now available online here Upcoming gigs and festivals are at the show page
Also going to be playing some lovely festivals – excited to be back at the brilliant Reepham Festival in August and heading to Stockport, Manchester in May for Buckle & Boots 2020
Really enjoy getting fan requests – playing an incredible Maria McKee song ‘Panic Beach’ especially for Michael Park at The International Americana Music Show
“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
Beautiful tributes coming in for Neal Casal. Been feeling heartbroken at the loss of someone who was a huge musical inspiration to me. World class musician, singer/songwriter, photographer and such a warm, kind soul. He provided huge encouragement when I was starting my career. I loved his music so much I would perform and cover his beautiful songs. He said it meant a lot to him that I covered his amazing track ‘Fell on Hard Times’ and put it on one of my albums. A true artist – I can’t believe he’s gone. https://jambands.com/…/jay-blakesberg-shares-memories-of-…/…
A message I’ll treasure from Neal who wrote these lovely words to me about my album ‘Clouds with Silver.’ It meant the world to me.
Sweet memories of seeing Neal and his amazing band performing in Europe. Good times.
Such an honour to be photographed by Neal in London.
Just some of Neal’s amazing releases.
Cool feature in French magazine Crossroads
Live one-off performance I did of his wonderful and emotional song “Fell on Hard Times” at Norwich Arts Centre – such great and powerful lyrics – during a UK headline tour.
