Fun- loving duo Hazjak – who’ve proved a huge hit with audiences – will also be performing during the first round of the festival.
Hazjak are an exciting duo featuring Steve Chapman Smith and Lynne O’Malley. They are both well-known and respected on the Northern music circuit.
Steve has performed and recorded with Red Lorry Yellow Lorry, Susan Herndon, Ghostdance and the Troubadours and has recorded 4 John Peel sessions. He writes gritty songs about real life – some political rants, some heart-wrenching love songs.
Lynne is known as one third of close harmony folk trio Yan Tan Tether.
Together, Hazjak perform original material in the folk, Americana and roots tradition, with strong harmonies, guitar, banjo, piano and bouzouki.
“Close-harmony folk meets Goth rock blues. Like poles repel, but unlike poles attract. From poles apart this duo have brought together guitar and keyboard to create irresistible and original songs with a magnetic field that will pull in the masses. I feel this is the start of something very big and attractive.”
Tony Haynes; FAB Folk and Blues Radio
Lynne said: “We are very excited to be involved in the online Otley Community Festival, playing alongside like-minded musicians who all want to do their bit for the music community, whilst raising funds for charity.
Obviously it’s not the same as performing in front of a live audience, but will be fun all the same. The festival has been extremely well organised, and we hope it’s a huge success.”
Otley Music Festival 