Lisa Redford: This Fine City

Singer/songwriter Lisa Redford is doing her bit for the Norwich community by releasing a new charity single in aid of finding Future Radio a new home. 

Future radio, a local Norwich radio station which has been broadcasting since 2000, had to close it’s doors when it’s landlord, Open Youth Trust, closed at the start of lockdown like many other local businesses. The radio station has been resilient through this time, though, and has been operating remotely ever since, 24 hours a day.  

The idea to put together a charity show was put forward by the producer of Future Radio’s vegan show and Lisa Redford, also a volunteer at Future Radio since 2018, was approached to write and sing the single alongside 10 other local artists and musicians. 

The single ‘This Fine City’ features many popular destinations in Norwich, such as The Playhouse and Blue Joanna, that locals can easily recognise. The single was released on the 16th October, coinciding with the week which National Radio Day, 12th October, fell on which highlights the importance of local radio. 

It’s important during these times to keep local businesses alive and charities are no different. Lisa herself has been a volunteer at Future radio and believes it’s one of the best ways of connecting people in the area. 

“You know, a lot of love goes into it and passion. I was pleased to help in my small way by writing the fundraising single. This time particularly, you know, has sort of brought to the forefront how important it is to be there for each other. That sort of human spirit is just vital right now for creating something positive, it’s a tough time for everyone, including community radio.”

The single is a celebration of the city itself and Lisa laments that the single is about coming together as a community through this trying time.

Lisa said: “It’s been lovely, actually, because it’s been put together and produced by myself and others at Future Radio. It’s come together really well. It’s only just been released and is already being received amazingly.”

Lisa worked closely with producer Andrew Todd on the single and hopes that the charity single will help keep the music scene in Norfolk and Suffolk alive and thriving as it has been a struggle for all artists in the local area. 

“Here, in the area of Norfolk and Suffolk, there’s so many fantastic venues and festivals all being affected at the moment. I think the arts and music, it just brings so much joy and pleasure to us all. 

“At the moment, it’s just been a case of sort of finding alternative ways, going online and helping each other as much as we can. It’s hard, you know, it feels like we’re sort of in limbo at the moment. It’s so important to just support other artists and it’s been so nice collaborating on this song that I’ve recently written.”

The single shows the resilience of the artists in the local Norwich area and aims to be a bright spot during this dark time. 

“It’s just lovely that it’s all been put together by myself and other volunteers who work at Future Radio. It’s been a wonderful team effort, really collaborative and labor of love that i’ve really enjoyed being a part of.”

If you’re looking to purchase the single you can grab it for just a pound on Bandcamp, all proceeds will go towards finding Future Radio a new home in the city and reunite Norwich with their essential service and music. 

To purchase the single: futureradio.bandcamp.com/releases.