NY/UK based singer/songwriter Lisa Redford reveals her early musical influences.
“Music has been my passion for as long as I can remember. I’ve always been fascinated with words and loved writing stories as a child. Interested by the craft of song writing, I would avidly listen to the radio and play my favourite music, listening intently to the lyrics and the way a song was constructed. I started playing piano at a young age and began writing my first songs around the age of 12.
“My walk to school was where I would religiously listen to music. Having exhausted my ever growing tape collection, I began delving into my parents’. I’m lucky that they are such huge music lovers and imbued me with an eclectic taste. Stepping on to the pavement and heading down the all too familiar route, I would get lost in the sounds of Neil Young’s Harvest and After The Goldrush, The Smiths’ eponymous debut record and Hatful Of Hollow, Kate Bush, Bowie, Dylan, Carole King, Nick Drake, Simon & Garfunkel, Roxy Music, Joy Division, Marvin Gaye and more. A whole new world opened up to me, making me realise that being a songwriter and performer was what I really wanted to pursue.
“I started playing guitar at university and on leaving, formed an acoustic duo. We began playing venues in London and the surrounding area. Around that time I saw songwriters such as Neal Casal and Boo Hewerdine play solo gigs in my home city and for me it was a revelation. Their songs really resonated with me and inspired me to take the steps to become a solo artist. Being on stage, playing, and especially singing my songs feels really natural. Music enables me to express my emotions and it’s so exciting and rewarding when you get that feeling you have just written something really good and that others respond to it too.
“Playing and writing music continues to be my way of life. I still get inspired by other musicians and songwriters and love to push myself, recently working in other genres and writing my first film score. I’m excited I’m on this creative journey which has led me to recording and being based in New York City and performing my own songs all around Europe. It’s hard work as I’m essentially a one-woman team, self-releasing my music, but when it’s your passion, it’s worth it.”
Thanks to Lisa Redford for the latest in our series of artist blogs. Lisa’s new 4-track digital EP, Reminders, is out now – see her website for more details and check out her back catalogue at Propermusic.com.
Catch Lisa performing live at Weyfest (2nd Sept 2012); the Bicycle Shop, Norwich (4th Oct) and supporting Sam Baker at St John’s Church, Farncombe (19th Oct), with more UK dates to come this autumn.
lovely interview, thanks!