New music to listen to this week: Marlon Williams

Now Hear This

Marlon Williams (Press image)

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