Marlon Williams(born 31 December 1990) is a New Zealand singer-songwriter, guitarist and actor based inLyttelton,New Zealand. 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 musicianDelaney Davidson.
Marlon Williams | |
|---|---|
 Williams performing in 2015 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 31 December 1990 Christchurch,New Zealand |
| Origin | Lyttelton, New Zealand |
| Genres | Alt-country,folk,bluegrass |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, singer-songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar, keyboards |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Labels | Caroline Australia,Universal NZ,Dead Oceans |
| Website | www |
Early life and family
editWilliams was born inChristchurchto David Williams, a librarian and musician, and Jenny Rendall, a visual artist, and raised in the nearby port town ofLyttelton.He is ofNgāi TahuandNgāi Taidescent.[1][2][3][4]Williams had a musical upbringing and was a member of the choir of theCathedral of the Blessed Sacrament,which toured Europe in 2009–10.[5]He was educated atChristchurch Boys' High Schooland learned to play guitar during his final year there.[5][2]
Career
edit2007–2013: Early career with The Unfaithful Ways and Delaney Davidson
editWilliams founded The Unfaithful Ways at 17 with his high school friends Sebastian Warne and Ben Woolley, along with a 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 singerDelaney Davidsonin 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 in2013.[8]Their final album was released in February 2014.[9]
2013–2018: Early solo career andMarlon Williams
editRelocating toMelbourne,Australia, in mid-2013, Williams began performing solo around town, self-releasing the live albumLive At La Niche,[10]touring Australia with US actsRobert Ellis,Cory Chisel and playing Mullumbimby Music Festival.[3]During this time, he lived in Melbourne's inner-city suburb ofAbbotsfordat 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 hisdebut self-titled solo albumto critical acclaim, debuting at number 10 on theNew Zealand Albums Chart,[14]and number 31 on theAustralian ARIA Albums Chart.[15]The album was called "captivating" byRolling Stone Australia,[16]a "revelation" byMetro 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 onSBS Australia's music quiz showRocKwiz,and at theSydney Opera Housefor TEDxSydney.[19]In September 2015, Williams signed to American independent labelDead Oceanswho 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 atQueenscliff Music Festival,Wave Rock Weekender, Mullumbimby Music Festival, and a full band tour alongsideJustin Townes EarleandLindi Ortegain 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 forPaul Kelly,Lucinda Williams,andKasey Chambers,andSam BeamandJesca Hoop.[24][21][20]Williams and the Yarra Benders opened two shows in 2017 forBruce Springsteenand theE Street Bandon theirSummer '17tour.
2018–2019:Make Way for LoveandLive at Auckland Town Hall
editOn 16 February 2018, Williams released his albumMake 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.
Williams released a live albumLive at Auckland Town Hallwas released a year later on 1 February 2019 as adouble album.[26]The album was recorded in May 2018 at the historicAuckland Town Hall.Williams and the Yarra Benders continued to tour extensively through the end of 2019. In May 2020, Williams premiered a full live concert film of the "Live at Auckland Town Hall" album. The film ran 109 minutes for free through YouTube and Facebook followed by a live Q&A with fans.[27]
2022-Present:My Boy
editWilliams released his third albumMy Boyin 2022. After releasing singlesMy Boy, River Rival, Easy Does ItandDon't Go Back,the full album was released
Film and television appearances
editIn 2015, Williams had a supporting role in theABC TelevisionminiseriesThe Beautiful Lie;he appeared in all six of the show's episodes.[28]The following year, he had a small role in the 2016 New Zealand independent filmThe Rehearsal.[29]
Williams appeared in the 2018Bradley Cooper-directed filmA Star is Born,after Cooper saw Williams perform atThe TroubadourinLos Angelesand asked him personally to appear in the film.[30]Williams appears as a fictionalized version of himself during aRoy Orbisontribute performance, opposite musicianBrandi Carlileand Cooper's character.[citation needed]
TheJustin Kurzel-directed filmTrue History of the Kelly Gang,in which Williams playsGeorge King,had its world premiere at the 2019Toronto International Film Festival.The film also starsRussell Crowe,Nicholas Hoult,Charlie HunnamandEssie Davis.[31]Williams also has a supporting role in the Australian filmLone Wolf,which was filmed during Summer 2019 and was expected to be released in 2020.[32]In 2021, Williams played Johnny Abbot in Netflix seriesSweet Tooth.[33]
As himself
editOn 14 June 2016, Marlon Williams and the Yarra Benders made their US television debut as the musical guests on the American late-night talk showConan.[34]Williams appeared as a subject of the 2018 documentaryThe New Sound of CountryonPrimeRocks in New Zealand, alongsideTami Neilson,Delaney Davidsonand Barry Saunders.[35]
Discography
editStudio albums
edit| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | Certifications | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NZ [36] |
AUS [15] |
BEL |
NED | |||
| Marlon Williams | 7 | 31 | 100 | 66 |
| |
| Make Way for Love |
|
1 | 8 | 149 | 60 |
|
| My Boy |
|
1 | 10 [40] |
— | — | |
Collaborative albums
edit| Title | Details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| NZ [36] | ||
| Sad But True Volume 1: The Secret History of Country Music Songwriting (withDelaney Davidson) |
|
— |
| Sad But True Volume 2: Grand Ole Hayride (with Delaney Davidson andTami Neilson) |
|
— |
| Sad But True Volume 3: Juke Box B-Sides (with Delaney Davidson) |
|
— |
| Plastic Bouquet (with Kacy & Clayton) |
|
5 |
Live albums
edit| Title | Details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| NZ [36] | ||
| Live at La Niche |
|
— |
| Live at Auckland Town Hall |
|
14 |
Other charted songs
edit| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| NZ Hot [41] | |||
| "My Heart the Wormhole" | 2022 | 39 | My Boy |
| "Princes Walk" | 40 | ||
| "Don't Go Back" | 11 | ||
| "Soft Boys Make the Grade" | 38 |
Filmography
editActing
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | The Rehearsal | Theo | |
| 2018 | A Star Is Born | Marlon Williams | |
| 2019 | True History of the Kelly Gang | George King | |
| 2021 | Lone Wolf | Alex Ossipon | |
| 2023 | Bad Behaviour | Elmore |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | The Beautiful Lie | Dylan | 6 episodes |
| 2021, 2023 | Sweet Tooth | Johnny Abbot | Recurring co-star (season 1); Main (season 2) |
Awards and nominations
editFor his music, Williams has won multipleNew Zealand Music Awards,New Zealand's most prominent music award, as well as the country's most significant songwriting honor,APRA'sSilver Scroll,among other recognition.[citation needed]
From twelve nominations including three for Album of the Year, Williams has won five New Zealand Music Awards, includingBreakthrough Artist of the Year in 2015andAlbum of the Year in 2018forMake Way for Love.Williams was recognized early in his music career when his group The Unfaithful Ways was nominated for the ceremony'sCritics' Choice Prizein 2011.[7]He has been a finalist for anAPRA Awardon four separate years. He won his first APRA Award in 2013 withDelaney 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."[42]His single "Nobody Gets What They Want Anymore (feat.Aldous Harding) "was awarded the Silver Scroll in 2018.[43]Additionally, he was nominated for a2015 ARIA Music Awardin the category of Best Blues and Roots Album.[44]
In November 2020 he was named one of the best dressed men in show business onDavid Hartnell MNZM'sBest Dressed List.[45]
| Year | Association | Category | Nominated Work | Result | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | New Zealand Music Awards | Critics' Choice Prize | The Unfaithful Ways(as part of The Unfaithful Ways) | Nominated | [7] |
| 2012 | APRA Awards | Best Country Music Song | "Ghost of the Town"(as part of The Unfaithful Ways) | Nominated | [6] |
| 2013 | "Bloodletter"(withDelaney Davidson) | Won | [46] | ||
| New Zealand Music Awards | Best Country Music Album | Sad but True: Volume 1(with Delaney Davidson) | Won | [8] | |
| 2015 | Album of the Year | Marlon Williams | Nominated | [47] | |
| Best Male Solo Artist | Won | ||||
| Best Alternative Album | Nominated | ||||
| Single of the Year | "Dark Child" | Nominated | |||
| Breakthrough Artist of the Year | Marlon Williams | Won | |||
| Best Country Music Album | Sad But True: Volume 3(with Delaney Davidson) | Nominated | |||
| APRA Awards | Silver Scroll | "Dark Child" | Nominated | [48] | |
| ARIA Music Awards | Best Blues and Roots Album | Marlon Williams | Nominated | [49] | |
| Music Victoria Awards | Best Country Album | Marlon Williams | Nominated | [50][51] | |
| Best Male Artist | Marlon Williams | Nominated | |||
| 2016 | Taite Music Prize | Taite Music Prize | Marlon Williams | Nominated | [52] |
| 2018 | New Zealand Music Awards | Album of the Year | Make Way for Love | Won | [53][54] |
| Best Solo Artist | Marlon Williams | Won | |||
| Best Alternative Artist | Nominated | ||||
| APRA Awards | Silver Scroll | "Nobody Gets What They Want Anymore (feat.Aldous Harding) " | Won | [55] | |
| NZMAArtisan Awards | Best Music Video | "Vampire Again" | Won | [56] | |
| 2019 | Taite Music Prize | Taite Music Prize | Make Way for Love | Nominated | [57] |
| New Zealand Music Awards | Album of the Year | Live at Auckland Town Hall | Nominated | [58] | |
| 2024 | Aotearoa Music Awards | Best Solo Artist | Marlon Williams | Won | [59] |
References
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- ^ab"Feature - Marlon Williams: This Charming Man".NZ Musician.Retrieved19 May2020.
- ^abcd"From port to pub: Marlon Williams' first Australian LP won't fit in any pigeonhole".Sydney Morning Herald. 23 April 2015.Retrieved5 August2015.
- ^Miller, Joshua M."Marlon Williams".undertheradarmag.com.Retrieved19 May2020.
- ^ab"The ballad of Marlon Williams".New Zealand Herald.17 October 2015.Retrieved21 November2015.
- ^abc"Country Music Song finalists".The Big Idea.Retrieved5 August2015.
- ^abc"NZ Music Awards 2011 Winners".UnderTheRadarNZ.Retrieved19 May2020.
- ^ab"BEST COUNTRY MUSIC ALBUM 2013".Recorded Music NZ.Retrieved5 August2015.
- ^"Delaney Davidson and Marlon Williams - Sad But True Volume 3 (Juke Box B-Sides)".UnderTheRadarNZ.Retrieved19 May2020.
- ^"Marlon Williams (6) - Live At La Niche".Discogs.Retrieved19 May2020.
- ^abSounds, Doubtful (27 October 2014)."NEWS: Marlon Williams announces headline shows with full band".Retrieved19 May2020.
- ^"Marlon Williams & The Yarra Benders".thefestival.bc.ca.Retrieved27 November2021.
- ^"And The Yarra Benders - Tours at Undertheradar".UnderTheRadarNZ.Retrieved19 May2020.
- ^"NZ Top 40 Albums Chart - The Official New Zealand Music Chart".The Official New Zealand Music Chart.Retrieved5 August2015.
- ^ab"Chartifacts: Wednesday 6th May 2015".ARIA.Retrieved5 August2015.
- ^"Rolling Stone Australia – Marlon Williams - Marlon Williams".Rolling Stone Australia.Retrieved5 August2015.
- ^"Marlon Williams: Marlon Williams - review Metro Magazine".Metro Magazine.Retrieved5 August2015.
- ^"PREMIERE: MARLON WILLIAMS' IMPRESSIVE SELF-TITLED DEBUT LP".ToneDeaf. 21 April 2015.Retrieved5 August2015.
- ^"Marlon Williams".TEDxSydney. Archived fromthe originalon 16 July 2015.Retrieved5 August2015.
- ^ab"RELEASE DAY // Marlon Williams' Self Titled Debut Is Out Today, Worldwide".deadoceans.com.19 February 2016.Retrieved19 May2020.
- ^abdeannsn (30 September 2015)."New Zealand's Marlon Williams joins Dead Oceans roster!".Retrieved19 May2020.
- ^"Marlon Williams and Melody Pool Announce Co-Headline Tour".Themusic.com.au.The Music.
- ^"The Music Announces Justin Townes Earle Tour with Marlon Williams and Lindi Ortega".The Music.
- ^"Marlon Williams".Bandsintown.Retrieved19 May2020.
- ^"Marlon Williams (6) - Make Way For Love".Discogs.Retrieved19 May2020.
- ^"Marlon Williams (6) - Live At Auckland Town Hall".Discogs.Retrieved19 May2020.
- ^"Marlon Williams to Premiere" Live at Auckland Town Hall "Concert film".Rolling Stone Australia.Retrieved6 February2020.
- ^"Something About Marlon".Taste In Music.Retrieved5 August2015.
- ^"Musician Marlon Williams turns actor for The Rehearsal".Stuff.Retrieved16 September2019.
- ^"Kiwi Marlon Williams to star with Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper in A Star Is Born".Stuff.Retrieved16 September2019.
- ^"/".The Music.Retrieved16 September2019.
- ^Keslassy, Elsa (13 May 2019)."LevelK Boards Australian Thriller 'Lone Wolf' With Hugo Weaving (EXCLUSIVE)".Variety.Retrieved18 May2020.
- ^"Yes, Marlon Williams is in Sweet Tooth".The Spinoff.12 July 2021.Retrieved13 July2021.
- ^"Kiwi Marlon Williams performs on US talk show Conan".Stuff.Retrieved7 April2018.
- ^"Country music, history, comedy and brain power – new local programmes in the pipeline".NZ On Air.Retrieved5 August2015.
- ^abc"Marlon Williams in New Zealand charts".Hung Medien.charts.nz.Retrieved15 January2023.
- ^"New Zealand album certifications – Marlon Williams – Marlon Williams".Recorded Music NZ.Retrieved20 November2024.
- ^"New Zealand album certifications – Marlon Williams – Make Way for Love".Recorded Music NZ.Retrieved20 November2024.
- ^"My Boy (JB Hi-Fi AU Exclusive White Vinyl)".JB Hi-Fi.Retrieved21 July2022.
- ^"ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart".Australian Recording Industry Association.19 September 2022.Retrieved16 September2022.
- ^"NZ Hot Singles Chart".Recorded Music NZ.19 September 2022.Retrieved17 September2022.
- ^"Apra Silver Scroll finalists announced for 2015".Stuff.co.nz.Retrieved5 August2015.
- ^"Marlon Williams wins the 2018 APRA Silver Scroll".RNZ.4 October 2018.Retrieved16 September2019.
- ^"Aria Awards".www.ariaawards.com.au.Retrieved18 May2020.
- ^"The best dressed Kiwis list is out, who makes the cut?".Stuff.co.nz.22 November 2020.Retrieved22 November2020.
- ^"New Zealand Country Music Awards Announced | Artist News | NZ Music Commission".nzmusic.org.nz.Retrieved19 May2020.
- ^"New Zealand Music Awards 2015".RNZ.21 November 2015.Retrieved19 May2020.
- ^"Apra Silver Scroll finalists announced for 2015".Stuff.Retrieved19 May2020.
- ^"Aria Awards".www.ariaawards.com.au.Retrieved19 May2020.
- ^"Previous Nominess".Music Victoria.Retrieved13 August2020.
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- ^"THE TAITE MUSIC PRIZE FINALISTS (2016): Money don't get everything it's true, but..".Elsewhere by Graham Reid.15 April 2016.Retrieved19 May2020.
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- ^"2024 Winners Ngāi Whiringa Toa o te tau 2024".Aotearoa Music Awards.Retrieved31 May2024.
External links
edit- Official website
- Marlon Williamsdiscography atDiscogs
- Marlon WilliamsatIMDb