Marlon Williams (New Zealand musician)
{{Short description|New Zealand singer-songwriter (born 1990)}}
{{for|other musicians with the same name|Marlon Williams (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2015}}
{{Use Australian English|date=August 2015}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Marlon Williams
| image = Marlon Williams.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Williams performing in 2015
| birth_name =
| alias =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1990|12|31}}
| birth_place = Christchurch, New Zealand
| origin = Lyttelton, New Zealand
| genre = Alt-country, folk, bluegrass
| occupation = Musician, singer-songwriter
| instrument = Vocals, guitar, keyboards
| years_active = 2009–present
| label = Caroline Australia, Universal NZ, Dead Oceans
| associated_acts = Marlon Williams & The Yarra Benders, The Unfaithful Ways, Kacy & Clayton, Delaney Davidson, Aldous Harding, Tim Moore
| website = {{URL|www.marlonwilliams.co.nz}}
}}
Marlon Williams (born 31 December 1990) is a New Zealand singer-songwriter, guitarist and actor based in Lyttelton, 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 musician Delaney Davidson.
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.{{Cite web|title=Marlon Williams shows that Americana doesn't belong just to America|url=https://www.pri.org/stories/2016-05-30/marlon-williams-shows-americana-doesnt-belong-just-america|website=The World from PRX|date=30 May 2016 |language=en|access-date=2020-05-19}}{{Cite web|title=Feature - Marlon Williams: This Charming Man|url=https://nzmusician.co.nz/features/marlon-williams-this-charming-man/|website=NZ Musician|language=en|access-date=2020-05-19}}{{Cite web|title=Marlon Williams|url=http://undertheradarmag.com/interviews/marlon_williams|last=Miller|first=Joshua M.|website=undertheradarmag.com|language=en|access-date=2020-05-19}} 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. He was educated at Christchurch Boys' High School and learned to play guitar during his final year there.{{cite news | url=http://m.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11529167 | title=The ballad of Marlon Williams | date=17 October 2015 | work=New Zealand Herald | accessdate=21 November 2015 }}
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 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.{{cite web | url = http://www.thebigidea.co.nz/news/industry-news/2012/may/116713-country-music-song-finalists
| title = Country Music Song finalists | publisher = The Big Idea | accessdate = 5 August 2015 }}
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.{{cite web | url = http://www.nzmusicawards.co.nz/award-category/best-country-music-album-2013/
| title = BEST COUNTRY MUSIC ALBUM 2013 | publisher = Recorded Music NZ | accessdate = 5 August 2015 }} Their final album was released in February 2014.{{Cite web|title=Delaney Davidson and Marlon Williams - Sad But True Volume 3 (Juke Box B-Sides)|url=https://www.undertheradar.co.nz/review/932/Sad-But-True-Volume-3-Juke-Box-B-Sides.utr|website=UnderTheRadarNZ|language=en|access-date=2020-05-19}}
= 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,{{Cite web|title=Marlon Williams (6) - Live At La Niche|url=https://www.discogs.com/Marlon-Williams-Live-At-La-Niche/release/11894195|website=Discogs|language=en|access-date=2020-05-19}} touring Australia with US acts Robert Ellis, Cory Chisel and playing Mullumbimby Music Festival.{{cite web | url = http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/from-port-to-pub-marlon-williams-first-australian-lp-wont-fit-in-any-pigeonhole-20150422-1mq2lf.html | title = From port to pub: Marlon Williams' first Australian LP won't fit in any pigeonhole | date = 23 April 2015 | publisher = Sydney Morning Herald | accessdate = 5 August 2015 }} During this time, he lived in Melbourne's inner-city suburb of Abbotsford at the Yarra Hotel.
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. That year, he put together his supporting band, The Yarra Benders, aptly named after the pub/hotel they worked and lived in.{{Cite web|title=NEWS: Marlon Williams announces headline shows with full band|url=https://posttowire.com/2014/10/27/news-marlon-williams-announces-headline-shows-with-full-band/|last=Sounds|first=Doubtful|date=2014-10-27|language=en|access-date=2020-05-19}}{{Cite web|url=https://thefestival.bc.ca/artists/marlon-williams-the-yarra-benders/|website=thefestival.bc.ca |title=Marlon Williams & The Yarra Benders |access-date=27 November 2021}} The Yarra Benders are musicians Gus Agars, Dave Khan and Ben Woolley, and previously guitarist Dan Parsons.{{Cite web|title=And The Yarra Benders - Tours at Undertheradar|url=https://www.undertheradar.co.nz/tour/5269/And-The-Yarra-Benders.utr|website=UnderTheRadarNZ|language=en|access-date=2020-05-19}}
In April 2015, Williams released his debut self-titled solo album to critical acclaim, debuting at number 10 on the New Zealand Albums Chart,{{cite web|title=NZ Top 40 Albums Chart - The Official New Zealand Music Chart|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/albums/2015-05-01|publisher=The Official New Zealand Music Chart|access-date=5 August 2015}} and number 31 on the Australian ARIA Albums Chart.{{cite web|title=Discography Marlon Williams|url=https://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Marlon+Williams|website=australian-charts.com|access-date=31 January 2025}} The album was called "captivating" by Rolling Stone Australia,{{cite web|title=Rolling Stone Australia – Marlon Williams - Marlon Williams|url=http://rollingstoneaus.com/reviews/post/marlon-williams/1490|work=Rolling Stone Australia|accessdate=5 August 2015}} a "revelation" by Metro Magazine{{cite web|title=Marlon Williams: Marlon Williams - review Metro Magazine|url=http://www.metromag.co.nz/culture/music/marlon-williams-marlon-williams-review/|work=Metro Magazine|accessdate=5 August 2015}} and "one of the most impressive country records this year" by ToneDeaf.{{cite web|title=PREMIERE: MARLON WILLIAMS' IMPRESSIVE SELF-TITLED DEBUT LP|date=21 April 2015 |url=http://www.tonedeaf.com.au/444626/premiere-marlon-williams-impressive-self-titled-debut-lp.htm|publisher=ToneDeaf|accessdate=5 August 2015}} 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.{{cite web|title=Marlon Williams|url=http://tedxsydney.com/site/speakerProfile.cfm?speaker=386|publisher=TEDxSydney|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716065812/http://tedxsydney.com/site/speakerProfile.cfm?speaker=386|archive-date=16 July 2015|accessdate=5 August 2015|df=dmy-all}} In September 2015, Williams signed to American independent label Dead Oceans who then released and distributed the album worldwide on 2 February 2016.{{Cite web|title=RELEASE DAY // Marlon Williams' Self Titled Debut Is Out Today, Worldwide|url=https://deadoceans.com/news/release-day-marlon-williams-self-titled-debut-is-out-today-worldwide/|date=2016-02-19|website=deadoceans.com|access-date=19 May 2020}}{{Cite web|title=New Zealand's Marlon Williams joins Dead Oceans roster!|url=https://musicforlunch.com/2015/09/30/new-zealands-marlon-williams-joins-dead-oceans-roster/|last=deannsn|date=2015-09-30|language=en|access-date=19 May 2020}}
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,{{cite web|title=Marlon Williams and Melody Pool Announce Co-Headline Tour|url=http://themusic.com.au/news/all/2014/05/28/marlon-williams-and-melody-pool-announce-co-headline-tour/|website=Themusic.com.au|publisher=The Music}} 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.{{cite web|title=The Music Announces Justin Townes Earle Tour with Marlon Williams and Lindi Ortega|url=http://themusic.com.au/news/all/2014/08/11/justin-townes-earle-announces-october-aussie-tour/|website=The Music}} 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.{{Cite web|title=Marlon Williams|url=https://www.bandsintown.com/en/a/4730430-marlon-williams?came_from=251|website=Bandsintown|access-date=19 May 2020}} Williams and the Yarra Benders opened two shows in 2017 for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band on their Summer '17 tour.
= 2018–2019: ''Make Way for Love'' and ''Live at Auckland Town Hall''=
On 16 February 2018, Williams released his album Make Way for Love.{{Cite web|title=Marlon Williams (6) - Make Way For Love|url=https://www.discogs.com/Marlon-Williams-Make-Way-For-Love/release/11829258|website=Discogs|date=16 February 2018 |language=en|access-date=19 May 2020}} 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 album Live at Auckland Town Hall was released a year later on 1 February 2019 as a double album.{{Cite web|title=Marlon Williams (6) - Live At Auckland Town Hall|url=https://www.discogs.com/Marlon-Williams-Live-At-Auckland-Town-Hall/release/13156081|website=Discogs|date=February 2019 |language=en|access-date=19 May 2020}} 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. 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.{{Cite web|title= Marlon Williams to Premiere "Live at Auckland Town Hall" Concert film|url=https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/marlon-williams-premiere-live-at-auckland-town-hall-film-10636/|website=Rolling Stone Australia|access-date=6 February 2020}}
= 2022-Present: ''My Boy'' & ''Te Whare Tīwekaweka''=
Williams released his third album My Boy in 2022. After releasing singles My Boy, River Rival, Easy Does It and Don't Go Back, the full album was released.
In January 2025, Williams announced the release of an entirely Māori album titled Te Whare Tīwekaweka, Lorde appears as a guest artist in one track titled "Kāhore He Manu E".{{cite web|url=https://www.noise11.com/news/marlon-williams-to-release-first-maori-language-album-20250123|title= Marlon Williams To Release First Māori Language Album|website=noise11|date=23 January 2025|access-date=23 January 2025}}{{cite web |last1=Downs |first1=Sarah |title=Marlon Williams Announces Maori Language Album |url=https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/marlon-williams-first-maori-language-album-te-whare-tiwekaweka-71209/ |website=Rolling Stone Australia |access-date=23 January 2025 |language=en-AU |date=21 January 2025}}
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.{{cite web | url = http://tasteinmusic.com.au/2015/07/02/marlon-williams/
| title = Something About Marlon | publisher = Taste In Music | accessdate = 5 August 2015 }} The following year, he had a small role in the 2016 New Zealand independent film The Rehearsal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/film/84285261/musician-marlon-williams-turns-actor-for-the-rehearsal|title=Musician Marlon Williams turns actor for The Rehearsal|website=Stuff|language=en|access-date=2019-09-16}}
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.{{Cite web|title=Kiwi Marlon Williams to star with Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper in A Star Is Born|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/107321013/kiwi-marlon-williams-to-star-with-lady-gaga-bradley-cooper-in-a-star-is-born|website=Stuff|language=en|access-date=2019-09-16}} Williams appears as a fictionalized version of himself during a Roy Orbison tribute performance, opposite musician Brandi Carlile and Cooper's character.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}}
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 Russell Crowe, Nicholas Hoult, Charlie Hunnam and Essie Davis.{{Cite web|title=/|url=https://themusic.com.au/article/rXa1oaCjoqU/marlon-williams-to-feature-in-new-ned-kelly-film-with-russell-crowe/|website=The Music|language=en|access-date=2019-09-16}} Williams also has a supporting role in the Australian film Lone Wolf, which was filmed during Summer 2019 and was expected to be released in 2020.{{Cite web|title=LevelK Boards Australian Thriller 'Lone Wolf' With Hugo Weaving (EXCLUSIVE)|url=https://variety.com/2019/film/global/levelk-boards-australian-thriller-lone-wolf-with-hugo-weaving-exclusive-1203212042/|last=Keslassy|first=Elsa|date=2019-05-13|website=Variety|language=en|access-date=2020-05-18}} In 2021, Williams played Johnny Abbot in Netflix series Sweet Tooth.{{Cite web|title=Yes, Marlon Williams is in Sweet Tooth|url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/tv/12-07-2021/yes-marlon-williams-is-in-sweet-tooth/|website=The Spinoff|date=12 July 2021 |language=en|access-date=2021-07-13}}
= As himself =
On 14 June 2016, Marlon Williams and the Yarra Benders made their US television debut as the musical guests on the American late-night talk show Conan.{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/81135979/kiwi-marlon-williams-performs-on-us-talk-show-conan|title=Kiwi Marlon Williams performs on US talk show Conan|website=Stuff|accessdate=7 April 2018}} 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.{{cite web|title=Country music, history, comedy and brain power – new local programmes in the pipeline|url=http://www.nzonair.govt.nz/news/articles/country-music-history-comedy-and-brain-power-new-local-programmes-in-the-pipeline/|publisher=NZ On Air|accessdate=5 August 2015}}
Discography
=Studio albums=
=Collaborative albums=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:11em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:17em;"| Details ! scope="col" colspan="1" | Peak chart positions |
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | NZ |
|---|
| scope="row"| Sad But True Volume 1: The Secret History of Country Music Songwriting {{small|(with Delaney Davidson)}} |
| — |
| scope="row"| Sad But True Volume 2: Grand Ole Hayride {{small|(with Delaney Davidson and Tami Neilson)}} |
| — |
| scope="row"| Sad But True Volume 3: Juke Box B-Sides {{small|(with Delaney Davidson)}} |
| — |
| scope="row"| Plastic Bouquet {{small|(with Kacy & Clayton)}} |
| 5 |
=Live albums=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:11em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:17em;"| Details ! scope="col" colspan="1" | Peak chart positions |
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | NZ |
|---|
| scope="row"| Live at La Niche
|
| — |
| scope="row"| Live at Auckland Town Hall
|
| 14 |
=Other charted songs=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ List of other charted songs, with selected chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album |
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | NZ Hot Peaks on the NZ Hot Singles Chart:
|
|---|
| scope="row"| "My Heart the Wormhole"
| rowspan="4"| 2022 | 39 | rowspan="4"| My Boy |
| scope="row"| "Princes Walk"
| 40 |
| scope="row"| "Don't Go Back"
| 11 |
| scope="row"| "Soft Boys Make the Grade"
| 38 |
| scope="row"| "E Mawehe Ana Au"
| rowspan="4"| 2025 | 24 | rowspan="4"| Te Whare Tīwekaweka |
| scope="row"| "Kei Te Mārama"
| 20 |
| scope="row"| "Aua Atu Rā"
| 19 |
| scope="row"| "Me Uaua Kē"
| 23 |
Filmography
=Acting=
==Film==
| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable"|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
| Elmore | |
==Television==
| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable"|Notes |
| 2015
| The Beautiful Lie | Dylan | 6 episodes |
| 2021, 2023
| Johnny Abbot | Recurring co-star (season 1); Main (season 2) |
Awards and nominations
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.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}}
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. 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. In 2015, Marlon was shortlisted for the prestigious Silver Scroll songwriting award for "Dark Child."{{cite web|title=Apra Silver Scroll finalists announced for 2015|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/70276082/apra-silver-scroll-finalists-announced-for-2015|publisher=Stuff.co.nz|accessdate=5 August 2015}} His single "Nobody Gets What They Want Anymore (feat. Aldous Harding)" was awarded the Silver Scroll in 2018.{{Cite web|title=Marlon Williams wins the 2018 APRA Silver Scroll|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/nat-music/audio/2018665329/marlon-williams-wins-the-2018-apra-silver-scroll|date=2018-10-04|website=RNZ |language=en-nz|access-date=2019-09-16}} Additionally, he was nominated for a 2015 ARIA Music Award in the category of Best Blues and Roots Album.{{Cite web|title=Aria Awards|url=https://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/search/?text=marlon|website=www.ariaawards.com.au|access-date=2020-05-18}}
In November 2020 he was named one of the best dressed men in show business on David Hartnell MNZM's Best Dressed List.{{cite web|title=The best dressed Kiwis list is out, who makes the cut?|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/300162841/the-best-dressed-kiwis-list-is-out-who-makes-the-cut|work=Stuff.co.nz|date=22 November 2020|access-date=22 November 2020}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website}}
- {{Discogs artist}}
- {{IMDb name}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, Marlonl}}
Category:New Zealand folk musicians
Category:New Zealand male singer-songwriters
Category:New Zealand singer-songwriters
Category:Musicians from Melbourne
Category:Caroline Records artists
Category:Musicians from Christchurch
Category:People educated at Christchurch Boys' High School
Category:21st-century New Zealand male singers
Category:Universal Music Group artists
Category:New Zealand country guitarists