An Update on my Pledge Campaign

As you may have read, PledgeMusic has been dealing with financial issues that have resulted in late payment to artists whose fans have pledged money via the direct-to-fan and crowdfunding platform. I am very disappointed to report I have had no direct response regarding my project. It now means that the release of my upcoming EP “Edge of Love” is being disrupted and delayed. An initial statement from the company was issued last month as an increasing number of artists went public about the late payment issues and the impact they are having on them. Up until now my first experience using PledgeMusic has been very positive. Thanks to my fans, I have had huge amounts of interest in the EP and was thrilled to have exceeded my target. As part of the campaign I offered special rewards such as signed guitars, CDs, handwritten lyrics and gig posters, as well as unique experiences such as voice and guitar lessons and VIP tickets to the EP launch. Unfortunately I haven’t yet received any payment or concrete information from Pledge and I am not alone. Many artists and managers with current Pledge campaigns are eager for news as soon as possible, so that they can decide whether or not to call off those campaigns and find an alternative way to take pre-orders and allow fan-funding. As an independent artist I am relying on these payments so I can fulfil all fan purchases – this has been out of my hands. 

Here is the most recent statement from them: https://www.pledgemusic.com/blog/a-statement-from-pledgemusic?referrer=carousel_article_

There has been uproar from musicians who have been united in finding it unacceptable that PledgeMusic has failed to pass on the funds raised by fans to the artist. Lots of major artists have also been affected, including Jesus Jones and Fastball. The Cardigans, The Dandy Warhols, Sophie Ellis Bextor and Ladytron have also been running campaigns. The company is now looking for a strategic partner or buyer which could safeguard the future of the Pledge business, while also assuring that all artists currently owed money would get paid in full. I truly hope Pledge will meet its obligations. I will keep you updated as much as I can. Thank you so much for all your support and patience. It really does mean a lot.

February 6 – Following on from this, today I received a general message from Pledge reiterating what they have stated on their website:

Thank you getting in touch, and please accept my sincere apologies for the continued inconvenience.

As I’m sure you can appreciate we are experiencing a high volume of enquiries at the moment. We appreciate the frustration you must feel and sincerely apologise for any delay in responding to you.

Our team is working round the clock to get this situation resolved and we hope to have some positive news for you in the near future.

To update you on some of the progress being made:
● We are in discussions with several interested parties about a potential partnership with or acquisition of PledgeMusic. These conversations, if successful, would lead to a transaction which would allow us to meet all of our outstanding obligations.
● We are also in the process of appointing a third-party company to manage all artist payments going forward.

We do ask you for your continued patience even though we appreciate that this must be running extremely thin.

Once again, we do hope to have some positive news for you shortly and as soon as we do we will share it.

For the moment though, please accept our assurances that we are fully focused on resolving these issues and that your enquiry has been logged.

PledgeMusic Campaign – Goal Reached! Green Note Show, Radio Airplay, Show on Future Radio

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Wow, my PledgeMusic goal has been reached!  I’m so grateful for the support – it really does mean such a lot. I had initially been nervous to embark on my very first PledgeMusic crowdfunding project but the continued support and enthusiasm has surpassed all expectations.I have also just received the mastered tracks from the brilliant Crunch Recording Studio and can’t wait to share the songs with you soon!In the meantime, if you visit my SoundCloud page you can hear a live acoustic cover of Jason Isbell’s lovely song “Maybe It’s Time” from “A Star is Born”. So cool that it has already had over 2,000 listens! Also at my Soundcloud are rare tracks, other covers of favourite songs, my Christmas EP and free downloads:

https://soundcloud.com/lisaredford

I had a lovely night performing a short acoustic set at one of my favourite venues, Norwich Arts Centre opening for Morganway. Here’s a little video clip from the night.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq2QydaB3Uk/

#repost @katieh101pics Short video of Lisa Redford @lisaredfordmusic on stage @norwichartscentre #Norwich #livemusic #singersongwriter #Americana #country @Martin guitar #guitar #concert #morganway #countrymusic #singing #stage #ukcountrymusic #song #newmusic #nashville

A post shared by Lisa Redford (@lisaredfordmusic) on Dec 1, 2018 at 6:33am PST

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I also had a wonderful night playing the Green Note – great sound and a lovely packed listening audience. Huge thanks to Black Cat Music Promotions Limited for having me. Here’s a little clip of original song “Dragonfly”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BrAOYsyhxD6/

Such a great night performing @greennotemusic clip of “Dragonfly” @martinguitar #acoustic #folk #livemusic #americana #country #gig #live #guitar #songwriter #london #camden #ukcountry #music #musician #concert #stage #song #dragonfly #americana #countrymusic #nashville

A post shared by Lisa Redford (@lisaredfordmusic) on Dec 5, 2018 at 3:17am PST

“Another powerful finely honed vocalist was a feature of the support in the form of Lisa Redford whose consistently polished material surely merits wider attention…her song structures, guitar pattern and vocal style recalled Patty Griffin.”
Wow! compared to Patty Griffin! huge thanks to Americana UK for this lovely review of my live acoustic set at The Green Note in London.

Now that the festive season is in full swing it’s been lovely to receive airplay for one of my original Christmas songs “When Christmas Comes Around.” Huge thanks to BBC Radio Norfolk for playing it as part of Conrad’s Christmas Carols on the breakfast show. You can hear an interview and the song via the BBC Sounds app approximately 24 minutes in and also here on the BBC website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06r43h8
Thanks also to Future Radio for play listing the song.  

PledgeMusic Project – 69% Raised! In the Studio. London Show. Radio DJ!

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Some gorgeous #dobro #slide being recorded in the #studio love #recording #newmusic thanks to the amazing Noel @aldenpattersonanddashwood #producing #music #country #Americana #song #original #acoustic #special #songwriting #guitar #aldenpattersonanddashwood #guitar #roots #folk #newmusicfriday #countrymusic #live #session #nashville

A post shared by Lisa Redford (@lisaredfordmusic) on Oct 19, 2018 at 1:04pm PDT

Hi guys! 69% has now been raised for my PledgeMusic project! Beyond grateful to you all. I’ve already started recording and here’s an update from the studio! https://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/lisaredford/updates/101647

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View this post on Instagram

Great day in the #studio thanks to @mark_howes_guitar_tuition for some amazing #guitar #music #musicmonday #recordingstudio #americana #country #singersongwriter #nashville #countrymusic #original

A post shared by Lisa Redford (@lisaredfordmusic) on Nov 5, 2018 at 11:40am PST

The mug has gone! there are many other goodies still available including a mouse mat, set of concert posters, signed set lists and my back catalogue. Take a look here:

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Looking forward to some lovely gigs including Norwich Arts Centre on November 30th opening for the brilliant Morganway and making my debut at the award-winning Green Note in Camden as special guest for No Coward Soul on December 4th. Stepping up to the microphone! Great session at excellent local community radio station Future Radio in Norwich learning the studio techniques for hosting a music show.

PledgeMusic – New EP Launched! London Show. Meeting Ethan Johns

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Hey guys, I’m really, really excited to have launched my first ever PledgeMusic crowdfunding project for my brand new release! I have some special rewards and exclusives on offer including two beloved guitars and some rare memorabilia from my back catalogue! You will also be helping Dogs Trust as I spend a lot of time walking rescue dogs and their companionship is truly special. Please watch the video and check out the rewards on offer – so appreciate any shares on social media!

Here is the PledgeMusic link: https://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/lisaredford

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Enjoyed an amazing gig recently at Norwich Arts CentreEthan Johns and The Black Eyed Dogs. It was so lovely – and a real treat – to also interview Ethan for Songwriting Magazine. He has been a real music hero having produced some of my favourite records including “Heartbreaker” and “Gold” by Ryan Adams. It was also great to catch up with the band’s fabulous Georgina Leach who played on my album “Lost Again” back in the day – her first album session recording! Look out for my interview with Ethan appearing in Songwriting Magazine soon.

So excited to announce a London gig! Playing the lovely award-winning Green Note for my dear friends Black Cat Music Promotions Limited on 4 December as special guest for the brilliant No Coward Soul. Hope to see some London buddies! x
https://www.greennote.co.uk/production/nocowardsoul/

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Always lovely being on Park Radio – a great radio station supporting local artists. Huge thanks to Andrew Cooper at Sunday Introducing. Check out my Facebook page to see a live video of “Never Was a Yesterday” the third of the live songs I played.

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Latest Columns, Teen Star, Ukulele Cover, Eliza Carthy Support

Really exciting news! Huge congrats to one of my vocal students Breeze for winning her category in national competition TeenStar! Pre Teen winner 2015! She performed my song ‘Here Alone’ at Birmingham’s NEC and earned the highest marks from the music industry judges – so proud!

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Breeze judges

Here’s her stunning winning performance of my song ‘Here Alone’

My latest column for Songwriting Magazine now online. This time I’m discussing crowd funding for musicians, something I’ve not embarked upon but have been considering. I’d be really interested to hear from artists who have funded projects this way.

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I’ve also had my latest column for the Evening News published and as well as sharing my latest news I preview some creative workshops happening in Norwich this month:

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I’ve added new videos to my YouTube channel and new songs to SoundCloud including this ukulele cover of a lovely new Kacey Musgraves song. Really enjoying the sweet sounds and melodies on her Pageant Material album.

Looking ahead to Autumn and I’m really excited to be supporting Eliza Carthy and The Wayward Band at OPEN Norwich on Wednesday October 14th. Details here