Marlon Williams (musician)

Marlon Williams (born 31 December 1990) is a New Zealander singer-songwriter, guitarist and actor based in Melbourne, Australia. Primarily known as a solo artist, he works and tours with his backing band The Yarra Benders and first came to attention as front-man of The Unfaithful Ways and for his collaborative work with musician Delaney Davidson.

This article is about the New Zealand musician. For the US musician, see Marley Marl.

Marlon Williams
Oxford Arts Factory, November 21, 2015
Background information
Birth nameMarlon Williams
Born (1990-12-31) 31 December 1990
Christchurch, New Zealand
OriginLyttelton, New Zealand
GenresAlt-country, folk, bluegrass
Occupation(s)Musician, singer-songwriter
InstrumentsVocals, guitar, keyboards
Years active2009–present
LabelsCaroline Australia, Universal NZ, Dead Oceans
Associated actsMarlon Williams & The Yarra Benders, The Unfaithful Ways, Delaney Davidson, Aldous Harding, Tim Moore
Websitewww.marlonwilliams.co.nz

Early life and family

Williams was born in Christchurch to David Williams, a librarian and musician, and Jenny Rendall, a visual artist, and raised in the nearby port town of Lyttelton. He is of Ngāi Tahu and Ngāi Tai descent.[1][2][3][4] Williams had a musical upbringing and was a member of the choir of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, which toured Europe in 2009–10.[5] He was educated at Christchurch Boys' High School and learned to play guitar during his final year there.[5][2]

Career

2007–2013: Early career with The Unfaithful Ways and Delaney Davidson

Williams founded The Unfaithful Ways at 17 with his high school friends Sebastian Warne and Ben Woolley, along with science teacher at the school, Simon Brouwer. They quickly gained national attention in New Zealand, playing the Big Day Out, and were nominated for a New Zealand Music Award in 2011.[6][7]

Williams met acclaimed country singer Delaney Davidson in 2011, and the pair began performing as a duo. Over two years they released three volumes of the series, Sad But True: The Secret History of Country Music Songwriting, garnering critical acclaim, including the New Zealand Country Song and Country Album of the year in 2013.[8] Their final album was released in February 2014.[9]

2013–2018: Early solo career and Marlon Williams

Relocating to Melbourne, Australia, in mid-2013, Williams began performing solo around town, self-releasing the live album Live At La Niche,[10] touring Australia with US acts Robert Ellis, Cory Chisel and playing Mullumbimby Music Festival.[3] During this time, he lived in Melbourne's inner-city suburb of Abbotsford at the Yarra Hotel.[3]

He began recording his debut solo album in Spring 2014. Despite living in Melbourne, the record was recorded over a year at a Lyttelton studio.[3] That year, he put together his supporting band, The Yarra Benders, aptly named after the pub/hotel they worked and lived in.[11][12] The Yarra Benders are musicians Gus Agars, Dave Khan and Ben Woolley, and previously guitarist Dan Parsons.[13][11]

In April 2015, Williams released his debut self-titled solo album to critical acclaim, debuting at number 10 on the New Zealand Albums Chart,[14] and number 31 on the Australian ARIA Albums Chart.[15] The album was called "captivating" by Rolling Stone Australia,[16] a "revelation" by Metro Magazine[17] and "one of the most impressive country records this year" by ToneDeaf.[18] That same years, he did his first national television performance on SBS Australia's music quiz show RocKwiz, and at the Sydney Opera House for TEDxSydney.[19] In September 2015, Williams signed to American independent label Dead Oceans who then released and distributed the album worldwide on 2 February 2016.[20][21]

Beginning in June 2014, Williams toured nearly non-stop for three-and-a-half years. While working on his record in 2014, Williams embarked on a co-headline tour with Melody Pool, playing 26 shows around Australia and New Zealand,[22] before closing the year with performances at Queenscliff Music Festival, Wave Rock Weekender, Mullumbimby Music Festival, and a full band tour alongside Justin Townes Earle and Lindi Ortega in Australia and New Zealand.[23] He toured Europe for the first time in May 2015, and in Fall 2015 began performing across the United States, the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, and Australia until November 2017, which included stints opening for Paul Kelly, Lucinda Williams, and Kasey Chambers, and Sam Beam and Jesca Hoop.[24][21][20] Williams and the Yarra Benders opened two shows in 2017 for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band on their Summer '17 tour.

2018–present: Make Way for Love and Live at Auckland Town Hall

On 16 February 2018, Williams released his album Make Way for Love.[25] To support the record, Willams first toured the United States and Europe before playing a series of European and Australian summer music festival dates through November 2018.[26]

Williams released a live album Live at Auckland Town Hall was released a year later on 1 February 2019 as a double album.[27] The album was recorded in May 2018 at the historic Auckland Town Hall. Williams and the Yarra Benders continued to tour extensively through the end of 2019.[26]

Awards

For his music, Williams has won multiple New Zealand Music Awards, New Zealand's most prominent music award, as well as the country's most significant songwriting honor, APRA's Silver Scroll, among other recognition.

From twelve nominations including three for Album of the Year, Williams has won five New Zealand Music Awards, including Breakthrough Artist of the Year in 2015 and Album of the Year in 2018 for Make Way for Love. Williams was recognized early in his music career when his group The Unfaithful Ways was nominated for the ceremony's Critics' Choice Prize in 2011.[7] He has been a finalist for an APRA Award on four separate years. He won his first APRA Award in 2013 with Delaney Davidson, receiving the honor for Best Country Music Song after being a finalist the previous year in the same category.[6] In 2015, Marlon was shortlisted for the prestigious Silver Scroll songwriting award for "Dark Child."[28] His single "Nobody Gets What They Want Anymore (feat. Aldous Harding)" was awarded the Silver Scroll in 2018.[29] Additionally, he was nominated for a 2015 ARIA Music Award in the category of Best Blues and Roots Album.[30]

Film and television appearances

In 2015, Williams had a supporting role in the ABC Television miniseries The Beautiful Lie; he appeared in all six of the show's episodes.[31] The following year, he had a small role in the 2016 New Zealand independent film The Rehearsal.[32]

Williams appeared in the 2018 Bradley Cooper-directed film A Star is Born, after Cooper saw Williams perform at The Troubadour in Los Angeles and asked him personally to appear in the film.[33] Williams appears as a fictionalized version of himself during a Roy Orbison tribute performance, opposite musician Brandi Carlile and Cooper's character.

The Justin Kurzel-directed film True History of the Kelly Gang, in which Williams plays George King, had its world premiere at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival. The film also stars the likes of Russell Crowe, Nicholas Hoult, Charlie Hunnam and Essie Davis.[34] Williams also has a supporting role in the Australian film Lone Wolf, which was filmed during Sumer 2019 and is expected to be released in 2020.[35]

As himself

On June 14, 2016, Marlon Williams and the Yarra Benders made their US television debut as the musical guests on the American late-night talk show Conan.[36] Williams appeared as a subject of the 2018 documentary The New Sound of Country on Prime Rocks in New Zealand, alongside Tami Neilson, Delaney Davidson and Barry Saunders.[37]

Discography

Studio albums

Live albums

  • Live at La Niche (2014)
  • Live At Auckland Town Hall (2019)

With The Unfaithful Ways

  • Four First Songs (2009)
  • More Townes Van Zandt by the Great Unknown (compilation, 2010)
  • Free Reign (2011)
  • The Harbour Union (compilation, 2011)

With Delaney Davidson

  • Sad But True: The Secret History of Country Music Songwriting Volume One (2012)
  • Sad But True: The Secret History of Country Music Songwriting Volume Two (2013)
  • Sad But True: The Secret History of Country Music Songwriting Volume III (2014)

Chart history
Make Way for Love (2018)
Chart (2018) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[38] 8
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[39] 149
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[40] 60
French Albums (SNEP)[41] 137
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[42] 1

Awards
YearAssociationCategoryNominated WorkResultNote
2011New Zealand Music AwardsCritics' Choice PrizeThe Unfaithful Ways (as part of The Unfaithful Ways)Nominated[7]
2012APRA AwardsBest Country Music Song"Ghost of the Town" (as part of The Unfaithful Ways)Nominated[6]
2013"Bloodletter" (with Delaney Davidson)Won[43]
New Zealand Music AwardsBest Country Music AlbumSad but True: Volume 1 (with Delaney Davidson)Won[8]
2015Album of the YearMarlon WilliamsNominated[44]
Best Male Solo ArtistWon
Best Alternative AlbumNominated
Single of the Year"Dark Child"Nominated
Breakthrough Artist of the YearMarlon WilliamsWon
Best Country Music AlbumSad But True: Volume 3 (with Delaney Davidson)Nominated
APRA AwardsSilver Scroll"Dark Child"Nominated[45]
ARIA Music AwardsBest Blues and Roots AlbumMarlon WilliamsNominated[46]
2016 Taite Music PrizeTaite Music PrizeNominated[47]
2018New Zealand Music AwardsAlbum of the YearMake Way for LoveWon[48][49]
Best Solo ArtistMarlon WilliamsWon
Best Alternative ArtistNominated
APRA AwardsSilver Scroll"Nobody Gets What They Want Anymore (feat. Aldous Harding)"Won[50]
NZMA Artisan AwardsBest Music Video"Vampire Again"Won[51]
2019Taite Music PrizeTaite Music PrizeMake Way for LoveNominated[52]
New Zealand Music AwardsAlbum of the YearLive at Auckland Town HallNominated[53]

References
  1. "Marlon Williams shows that Americana doesn't belong just to America". The World from PRX. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  2. "Feature - Marlon Williams: This Charming Man". NZ Musician. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  3. "From port to pub: Marlon Williams' first Australian LP won't fit in any pigeonhole". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  4. Miller, Joshua M. "Marlon Williams". undertheradarmag.com. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  5. "The ballad of Marlon Williams". New Zealand Herald. 17 October 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
  6. "Country Music Song finalists". The Big Idea. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  7. "NZ Music Awards 2011 Winners". UnderTheRadarNZ. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  8. "BEST COUNTRY MUSIC ALBUM 2013". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  9. "Delaney Davidson and Marlon Williams - Sad But True Volume 3 (Juke Box B-Sides)". UnderTheRadarNZ. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  10. "Marlon Williams (6) - Live At La Niche". Discogs. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  11. Sounds, Doubtful (27 October 2014). "NEWS: Marlon Williams announces headline shows with full band". Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  12. thefestival.bc.ca https://thefestival.bc.ca/artists/marlon-williams-the-yarra-benders/. Retrieved 19 May 2020. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  13. "And The Yarra Benders - Tours at Undertheradar". UnderTheRadarNZ. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
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  15. "Chartifacts: Wednesday 6th May 2015". ARIA. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
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  17. "Marlon Williams: Marlon Williams - review Metro Magazine". Metro Magazine. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  18. "PREMIERE: MARLON WILLIAMS' IMPRESSIVE SELF-TITLED DEBUT LP". ToneDeaf. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  19. "Marlon Williams". TEDxSydney. Archived from the original on 16 July 2015. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  20. "RELEASE DAY // Marlon Williams' Self Titled Debut Is Out Today, Worldwide". deadoceans.com. 19 February 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  21. deannsn (30 September 2015). "New Zealand's Marlon Williams joins Dead Oceans roster!". Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  22. "Marlon Williams and Melody Pool Announce Co-Headline Tour". Themusic.com.au. The Music.
  23. "The Music Announces Justin Townes Earle Tour with Marlon Williams and Lindi Ortega". The Music. The Music.
  24. "Marlon Williams". Bandsintown. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  25. "Marlon Williams (6) - Make Way For Love". Discogs. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
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  28. "Apra Silver Scroll finalists announced for 2015". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  29. "Marlon Williams wins the 2018 APRA Silver Scroll". RNZ. 4 October 2018. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  30. "Aria Awards". www.ariaawards.com.au. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  31. "Something About Marlon". Taste In Music. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  32. "Musician Marlon Williams turns actor for The Rehearsal". Stuff. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  33. "Kiwi Marlon Williams to star with Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper in A Star Is Born". Stuff. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  34. "/". The Music. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  35. Keslassy, Elsa (13 May 2019). "LevelK Boards Australian Thriller 'Lone Wolf' With Hugo Weaving (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  36. "Kiwi Marlon Williams performs on US talk show Conan". Stuff. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  37. "Country music, history, comedy and brain power – new local programmes in the pipeline". NZ On Air. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
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  39. "Ultratop.be – Marlon Williams – Make Way for Love" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
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  51. "Marlon Williams wins Tui at annual Artisan Awards". Māori Television. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  52. "Avantdale Bowling Club wins 2019 Taite Music Prize". RNZ. 16 April 2019. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  53. "New Zealand Music Awards | Award Categories". Retrieved 18 May 2020.
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