We caught-up with Marlon Williams to chat about his remarkable new record ‘Te Whare Tīwekaweka’, the first album sung in Māori by a solo artist to chart at number one in his native New Zealand.
With Te Whare Tīwekaweka, Marlon Williams turns to the Māori tongue of his ancestors for inspiration. In nurturing his cultural and spiritual ties, Williams has found a way into his most expansive and majestic album yet.
It is clear from the get-go that these guys are working from the same core recipes. The key is in the inspiration and motivation; when Kacy & Clayton and Marlon Williams make music they are copiously fuelled by an abundance of both.
New Zealand’s Marlon Williams delivers a powerful performance of ‘Make Way for Love’ featuring The Pou Tiriao Singers whose swelling backing vocals take it to another level.
Make Way For Love was born at the end of a longtime relationship with fellow musician Aldous Harding. A break-up album drenched in melancholia, Williams’ songs are incredibly well-crafted reflecting both the personal and universal.
Watch the latest video from Marlon Williams for ‘What’s Chasing You’, the latest single from his forthcoming album ‘Make Way for Love’. He’s on tour in the UK and Ireland in February.
Marlon Williams’ decision to embark on a solo career now bears first fruits with this eponymous stylistically diverse debut, he’s touring Europe and the UK in April and on the evidence here he should be something special.
New Zealand Alt-Country troubadour Marlon Williams tours the UK with his full band ‘The Yarra Benders’ in April, listen to Little Miss Lonesome, our Song of the Day.
