Maddie Morris

We are delighted to welcome to Otley Music Festival the fabulous MADDIE MORRIS., who won the coveted BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award in 2019. With her extraordinary haunting vocal style she will undoubtedly sound incredible in the beautiful church setting! Maddie Morris is an artist who strives to make a difference in the world. Bold, insightful and refreshingly unique, they take traditional song in new directions to shine a light on contemporary issues, offering new perspectives about the world we live in today. Folk songs have always told stories, but how Maddie makes their mark is by turning this storytelling into action. Described by Jim Moray as ?leading the next generation of socially conscious songwriters?, Maddie uses their work to highlight inequality, challenge viewpoints and provide an inclusive space for shared experiences. Maddie was recently commissioned by Unlimited to explore LGBTQIA+ experiences of disability traditional tune, and has also been proud to collaborate with organisations such as Queer Folk, The Bit Collective and Trans Pride Brighton. Whether they?re a turning centuries-old ballad on its head or writing something completely new, Maddie places their focus on drawing out true meaning rather than being true to tradition. Maddie released their first studio EP Upstream in 2022 to huge critical acclaim. Two years on, they?re following this up with their debut studio album, Skin. (release February 2024), Skin is a beautifully crafted collection of songs which amplifies the stories of those often marginalised by society. Passionately political, yet gently understated, this is music that deftly treads the path between art and activism. https://www.maddiemorrismusic.co.uk/ https://www.facebook.com/MaddieMorrisMusic/ We are also delighted to welcome the wonderful Glasgow-based folk singer and songwriter IONA LANE who has captivated audiences right across the UK with her delicate yet powerful vocals and songs inspired by the natural world. Driven by awe and wonder of the natural world Iona Lane delivers poetic songs, with subtle musical touches and contemplative melodies that link unheard stories with the world we find ourselves in today. Iona released her long awaited debut album ?Hallival? in 2022. It was inspired by natural landscapes, scientific discoveries, equality, human relationships and the supernatural, all tied together by a strong sense of place and a love for being in wild places - creating something truly special. ?Hallival? charted at #36 in the Official Folk Album Charts and was named by Folk Radio UK as #27 in their ?Top Albums of 2022?. The album recieved wide spread press including in The Guardian, Walk Highlands, BBC Radio 2 and The Scotsman to name a few. In 2023 Iona has been touring ?Hallival? extensively and joined Karine Polwart on a run of her tour dates in England. Iona joined Karine on stage for a few songs, an awe inspiring opportunity for audiences to see these two artists sing together. Having studied under the tuition of Nancy Kerr, Jim Moray and Stuart McCallum, Iona has been praised throughout the scene for her delicate yet powerful vocals, which have captivated audiences up and down the country. Iona was chosen by Karine Polwart to receive the Taran Guitars Young Players Bursary 2020. Since receiving the bursary luthier Rory Dowling, of Taran Guitars, has designed and built a bespoke instrument for Iona?s music. https://www.ionalane.com/