New music to listen to this week: Marlon Williams

Now Hear This

Roisin O'Connor
Wednesday 14 October 2015 14:44 BST
Comments
Marlon Williams
Marlon Williams (Press image)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

This rather suave young gentleman has just been nominated in five categories at the New Zealand Music Awards (their equivalent of the Grammys), and it's pretty obvious why.

His name is Marlon Williams and he knows how to write a song that nods to country, folk, rock and pop.

With a beautiful voice that suits a quintessential lament, a big part of the 24-year-old's charm is the ability to throw the listener back a good few decades without dipping into full pastiche mode.

Listen if you like: Roy Orbison, Elvis, Townes Van Zandt

Q&A with Marlon Williams

Which contemporary artists are you listening to at the moment?

I’m finding the new Father John Misty album delightfully charming. I'm a massive John Grant fan too. He's like the heir to Morrissey’s throne. Mostly I just listen to angry, simple hip hop

What’s it like acting to your own music?

Acting, generally, is a weird thing for humans to be doing with their time. There're so many things to get done in this world for people to be filming other people pretending to do things. I love it

What are your main influences?

I approach everything with a country sensibility I guess. I like working with straight lines, it gives you more room to move. Listening to strict bluegrass like the Stanley Brothers makes me feel my most musically free and open.

First gig, best gig?

First gig, I believe, was playing Tisket-a-Tasket on my trumpet at primary school when I was 10 or so. It was terrible if I recall correctly. I think my favourite gig has to be the hometown Christchurch show I played a few months back. You just can't beat a good theatre show. Also, singing Dylan with Richard Thompson and Mary Gauthier in Vancouver absolutely ruled.

Marlon Williams plays The Lexington in London on 19 October. His debut album is due for UK release in 2016

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in