ACOUSTIC HEADS UP of strumming and very delicate fingerpicking with hammer-ons and riffs, and it’s getting better all the time. What are your aspirations, musically? I have a lot of aspirations. I want to continue to progress as a writer and write more melodic and heartfelt songs that I’m proud of and which touch people. I also want to continue to develop as a guitarist and would love to have my songs covered by other artists. It’s all about the music for me, and I would love to collaborate with other artists as I sing some mean harmonies! Graham Hazelwood Lisa’s Albums Slipstream (2003) Acoustic and sparse, with a mix of guitar tracks and piano-based songs. Lost Again (2005) Leans towards Americana, with steel, Dobro, banjo, a full band and a string quartet. A favourite of Bob Harris and Radio 2. LISA REDFORD She’s a singer-songwriter, guitarist, session vocalist and producer with an Anglo-American sound and an international fan base. Acoustic introduces the prodigiously talented Norwich native Lisa Redford. Clouds With Silver (just released) Melodic and intense. Two full-band songs but mostly acoustic, with Lisa playing live against bass, keyboards and strings. The acoustic guitar is all Lisa.. Gear Guitars: Martin Custom X Baby Taylor Yamaha APX3 Takamine G Series EG332C Strings: Martin Acoustic SP Lights 012–054 or Elixir 80/20 Bronze Lights 012–053 W hat inspired you to become a musician? I’m passionate about music, and performing and singing have always felt very natural to me. I began writing lyrics and songs at quite a young age and then started to play the guitar at university. I love the rhythmic quality and sound of the acoustic guitar, and I can really express my thoughts and feelings. What a beautiful invention. Who has influenced you? Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Carole King, Chrissie Hynde, Shawn Colvin… Hearing a great and moving song motivates me to write. What live work have you done? I love playing live and there’s nothing like being ‘in the zone’ and really connecting with an audience. I perform solo and have played lots of great gigs: big theatres and arts centres, festivals and support to artists such as Kathryn Williams, Boo Hewerdine, Chuck Prophet, Laura Veirs, Devon Sproule, Brian Kennedy and Glenn Tilbrook. I’ve also toured Europe and performed in New York City and Vancouver. How do you get gigs? Being essentially a one-woman team – writing all the songs, having my own label and doing all the promotion – I also book my own gigs. It’s difficult to do everything, and I’d love to have an agent helping me get a tour together as I’ve frequently had people writing to me asking when they can see me live. What’s the thrill of singing your own songs rather than covers? Singing my own songs is more fulfilling and rewarding as they come from the heart and I can put a lot of real emotion into them. I enjoy occasionally performing and recording acoustic covers, and choose songs that I feel I can perform in my own style. You’re becoming successful in both Britain and America. Which is giving you more satisfaction? Here I’ve been steadily raising my profile with each album and it’s grown organically, which is lovely, and having support and airplay from such a legendary DJ as Bob Harris has meant a lot to me. The US has been very exciting as audiences in New York have really responded to my music. I’ve certainly been inspired by all the creative energy there. Have you experimented with your guitars to personalise your sound? I haven’t experimented greatly with the set-up, but I sometimes like having the guitar miked up as well as with a DI. My playing is a mix Lisa’s Advice ‘Work very hard, create opportunities and take advantage of any that come along. Really push yourself to promote your music. It’s not enough to just be a talented writer and player. You need to maintain a strong online presence, gain knowledge of the business side, make quality recordings and perform live to keep building a fan base. Ultimately you need to believe in yourself and have passion for the music you’re making. There can be a lot of disappointments and setbacks, so it helps to really love it.’ Genre Acoustic Americana pop Links www.lisaredford.com www.myspace.com/lisaredford 20 Acoustic February 2009