A female band from the 1980s expressed their excitement as they prepare for their first full gig in nearly 38 years. Zenana, comprised of Anita Gabrielle Tedder, Penny Griffiths, and Ruth Elder, originally formed in Milton Keynes in 1983 but disbanded after four years.
Earlier this year, they were signed to Rush Hour Records in Amsterdam after a DJ discovered their single “Witches” in a second-hand shop and instantly fell in love with it.
As they gear up for their upcoming gig in Bedford this Friday, 70-year-old Ms. Tedder admitted uncertainty about the longevity of their newfound fame. However, 57-year-old Ms. Griffiths expressed joy in “feeling young again.”
In May 2022, Kiernan Abbott, a 24-year-old DJ from Bristol, contacted the group to share his discovery of a copy of “Witches,” which never made it onto the charts, in a second-hand shop in Cornwall.
According to Ms. Tedder, he praised the performance as brilliant and mentioned that he had played it in various clubs in Los Angeles, Paris, and other venues known for their ’80s music scene. As a result, DJ Antalheitlager, the managing director of Rush Hour, decided to sign them. In light of this, a remastered 12-inch vinyl, a digital version, and an extended remix of the song “Witches” by Bedmo Disco (DJ Matt Anniss and Gareth Morgon) are scheduled to be released on Friday, September 13th. Ms. Tedder explained that DJ Antal chose this date because he thought it was the perfect day.
During the ’80s, Zenana had the opportunity to perform in various pubs and clubs in Milton Keynes, Bedford, and even at the prestigious Hippodrome in London. Since their reunion, they have played a few small warm-up gigs, including one with just Penny and Anita, and another at a Queer Variety Show in Bethnal Green where they showcased three songs. However, their upcoming concert at Bedford’s Cellar Bar will be a special occasion as it will allow people to hear 10 songs, including the extended remix of “Witches,” for the first time. Ms. Tedder expressed her excitement, mentioning that this will be their first performance in Bedford in nearly 38 years.
“We have an extensive back-catalogue with a wide range of content, it’s not just limited to one track.”
According to Ms. Griffiths, she has faced challenges with her mental health, including the loss of both parents within a year and a separation from her husband. Therefore, the group’s reformation came at the perfect time as a source of upliftment.
“It truly reminded me of who I am,” she expressed.
Despite recently undergoing heart surgery, Ms. Elder, 64, shared, “I feel amazing. We are older and wiser, having lived through so much, and we still have a great bond. We’ve surprised ourselves.”
Ms. Tedder added, “We are seizing every single moment. We are uncertain of how long it will last. We have experienced illnesses and endured a lot, so revisiting these songs and having such a good time has been incredibly beneficial for us.”
She also mentioned that since their record’s resurgence made headlines, they have received interest from a couple of film companies intrigued by their story.
For those who can’t attend the Zenana performance in Bedford this Friday, they will have another chance to see them at the Bedfringe Festival on 28 July. The performance will feature a group of talented dancers, all of whom are over the age of 55.
Furthermore, Zenana is optimistic about the possibility of adding another major event to their already packed schedule. Ms. Tedder expressed her hopes by asking, “Is it still possible for us to participate in Glastonbury?”