Marlon Williams: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert
Vložit
- čas přidán 25. 08. 2024
- Feb. 12, 2018 | Bob Boilen --Marlon Williams is a handsome devil with a heart-stopping voice, who writes songs about vampires and horror films. This 27-year old, New Zealand-born, Melbourne-based singer is also a teller of tales.
Marlon Williams is in love with a good, traditional blues or country tune and that's just how he opens this Tiny Desk Concert, with a song called "When I Was A Young Girl" (also known traditionally as "One Morning In May" or "The Bad Girl's Lament"). The best-known version of it was probably by Nina Simone until Feist tackled the tune. But Marlon Williams' rendition is more stunning than any version I've heard and seems to conjure the spirit of Roy Orbison with its long, deep-throated incantations. The purity of Marlon Williams' voice is rare and entrancing.
After that first tune, performed solo with just his acoustic guitar, he strapped on his electric guitar, brought out his band, snapped his fingers to set the beat and sang about being stoned and running around Los Angeles dressed as a vampire. At the time of our taping, back in October of last year, "Vampire Again" was the newest song since Marlon Williams' 2016, self-titled release.
After finishing that tune and losing his guitar pick, he found one left behind by Wilco and launched into a tune we'd not heard before. He calls "What's Chasing You" a song about horror films, but it sounds like a 1950s tune about unrequited love.
The brilliant session ends as the band gathered around a single microphone for another new tune called "Make Way For Love." We now know it's the title track to Marlon Williams' forthcoming album and it reveals an intimacy at the heart of what makes him such a magnetic artist.
Set List
"When I Was a Young Girl"
"Vampire Again"
"What's Chasing You"
"Make Way For Love"
MUSICIANS
Marlon Williams (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, keyboard); David Khan (vocals, electric guitar); Benjamin Woolley (vocals, bass); Angus Agars (vocals, drums)
CREDITS
Producers: Bob Boilen, Bronson Arcuri; Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Bronson Arcuri, Morgan Noelle Smith, Tsering Bista, CJ Riculan; Production Assistant: Lee Mengitsu; Photo: Liam James Doyle/NPR.
For more Tiny Desk concerts, subscribe to our podcast.
When I hear new artists like Marlon Williams & Aldous Harding it gives me hope for the future of music. Great stuff!
They dated once, you know ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
I'm legitimately obsessed with NZ artists. Bow down to the ones I love.
There is a lot of good artists out there. Everywhere.
@@jessica5497 yeah there is, it's not always easy to find them though with all the trash out there, Tiny Desk certainly helps!
As a new zealander I've been hearing about him all year, I've always been too annoyed by his handsome face on the album cover to check him out. This was the first time I heard his voice. I've been listening to him exclusively for seven days straight, going to his concert in February.
haha, dont judge a book by its cover ... or an album ;-)
SO LUCKY
He looks sexy with his hair pushed to the side. I'm here bc of the I wonder why mv.
Hah that’s very relatable. I’ve ignored far too many artists because of their lovely face. I’m glad I heard Marlon before I saw him. 😅
I just found him on Sweet Tooth and his character made me fall in love with him 🥹🥹🥹
So I went to see this guy about 2 weeks ago in Birmingham, England. It was a small venue that happens to be one favourite one. Anyway, haven't heard this guy at all,just went by the off chance. Blew me away. Phenomenal performance 👏
His voice is spellbinding. Wonderful stuff.
One of the greatest voices to come around in the last 50 years! 👏👏👏
It's really a shame "Vampire Again" was released in 2017, only a few years after What We Do In The Shadows came out and missed the best possible song for the movie.
Well vampire again was inspired by What we do in the shadows so If was not released before the song wouldnt have happened
Jessica Ah but the fact remains, the song would’ve been a peach in the movie. Maybe enough for a sequel? Who knows
I love that movie, so underrated!!!!! And I completely agree, that song would've been the best for that movie!
They should definitely use it in the TV show!!
Woah, what a great voice! You can tell it totally floods a room, no mic necessary, just resonance from all that soul!
Damn that vampire song is sexy. NPR did an awesome job shooting it too. What a killer voice!
6:05 I think I'm addicted to how his face switched the moment the song took over him.
"When I Was a Young Girl"
(0:00) ... CD "Marlon Williams" (2016) ... written by Sebastian "Billy" Mure, first recorded by Nina Simone 1963.
"Vampire Again"
(5:43) ... CDS "Vampire Again" (2017)
"What's Chasing You"
(10:15) ... CD "Make Way for Love" (2018)
"Make Way For Love" (13:23) ... CD "Make Way for Love" (2018)
Saw him at Newport last year, and can't be more excited he landed a Tiny Desk. That voice sticks with you...
Too cute when band stands behind Marlon as a small choir. Lovely performance!
Really beautiful and unique, sounds much older like 50's-esque.
Was not expecting this I’m in actual tears this is so beautiful his vibrato is everything 😭💕
*update* so after getting through that first song it just gets better from there 😍
So good! This lad is from my home town and NZ is very proud to claim him as their own
Too right we do. We love him!!!
Marlon performs better during live sessions and that for me, is the mark of a true artist.
I can't get enough of his music! So happy to have found him. 😍
I find this man to be a fascinating singer. I love the slightly operatic twist he has - the vibrato in his deep voice. He has great amplitude and good range. I know an opera singer who enjoys singing songs like his and I wish they would sing together, her name is Alessandra Marc. I loved hearing him sing with Florence Welch, too.
Can you encourage Florence to stop singing about moderation like she is the new face of some Twelve Step cult. I miss the songs she used to write, remember? The weird songs! Please don’t join any twelve step cults or sing about addiction, because addictions are not really anything but desires turned behaviors that you let run you into the ground. No genes predict addiction because moderation is available to all people and it must be or you erase the power of free will.
@@Jgrayski You sound like a nonce.
Listening to this during a thunderstorm...
I am right now. 😊
Great performance. Wish he would have played more of his older stuff though. I would have loved to hear "Hello Miss Lonesome", "Dark Child" or "Strange Things". But glad he finally made it to the desk. :)
Very nice, I immediately thought of Antony and the Johnstons
@Tony Marshall Anohni is brilliant
Legitimately sat here for 5 minutes trying to remember the name of Antony and the Johnsons because I forget the name since it’s been so long since I’ve listened to them. So thanks!
Thanks NPR music!
Marlon Williams has a great voice and feeling I would have liked to hear I'm lost without you.
Greetings from México.
my favourite too
at my desk, watching tiny desk, loving desks!
Dude's got a voice straight outta the 40's
I'm loving these new crops of musicians with alternative country influences like Orville Peck, Marlon Williams, and Paul Cauthen.
No words to describe the feeling i had listen to that song.....awesome
I find him incredibly entertaining. He's not a regular go-to,for me. He's like a Rufus Wainwright. Definitely a necessary staple, from time to time, in my musical diet. No one else can fill those shoes.
Edit: it's been a cpl months since the above original post. I must admit, somewhere between then and now, he's become a sort of addiction. 😁 I'm hooked.
In my opinion he is better than Rufus Wainwright
@@patrickhoulihan7210 have to agree. ❤
You can hear that Maori strumming in that song Make Way For Love.
and the chord changes too. Gorgeous.
I accidentally clicked on this. And I am so glad I did.
I’m absolutely in love with him and so enamored by his voice; discovered his music about a week ago and can’t stop listening to him. His music is bewitching! He’s got a great band in this performance; seeing men sing together like this is so romantic to me.
Marlon Williams brought me here ...
I just recently watched the new A Star Is Born movie and did not recognize the man performing with Brandi Carlile at the Grammy Awards ceremony portrayed in the movie. They, along with Bradley Cooper's character Jackson Maine, were paying tribute to Roy Orbison. This movie just hinted at his voice, so I had to find out if he was a singer or an actor. Lucky for me and everyone who has been following him, he is a talented singer, who needs to be heard by the rest of the world. Now I think he sounds more like Marty Robbins or a young Merle Haggard before he found his distinctive sound, or maybe he sounds like Marlon Williams. Anyways, he sounds great and I hope he gets more recognition.
Wow! I love that style, and his amazing voice. Vampire Again makes me think of Queens of the Stone Age, if they were in the 1960s or something. LOVE IT!
I'm Christchurch born & a New Zealander ... I'm a recent convert to Marlon's velvety voice ... this occurred while watching an Australian TV series (The Beautiful Lie) in which his beautiful music featured.
Reminds me of those haunting, beautiful voices like the Big O and Chris Issak..wonderful
This voice. It’s pure, angelic, long lost, beautiful and haunting. Absolute chills the first time I heard it.
The vibrato so emminent through his quivering adams apple, even the most hearing impared would grasp the gist.
I found Marlon from a FB ad! ...watched this performance 20x and it gets better each time. Guapo!!!!
Amazing . . . NPR has found a singer who has a beautiful voice with an ability to sustain tone.
Congratulation on the ‘A Star is Born’ gig! Just watched it and was pleasantly surprised to see a talented Kiwi on such a big movie.
May not have the vocal range of Roy Orbison, but definitely has the same mannerisms. Glad to see we're keeping Roy alive in spirit.
I'm completely in love with this guy now
So proud of you boys! Represent AOTEAROA!
and the land from dream times .....
He is amazing right. For some contrast, watch his "What's Chasing You" (Official Video) - even though he sung that song here... that video, well I just love it. It's a video that actually adds to the music.... such personality.
And Beautiful Dress vid
Jesus...didn't see this coming...pretty damn amazing
What a talent. Such unique songs.
Wow. Love his voice.
Absolute favorite! Saw him live and he was fantastic!!
he's so great! his voice is magic
I love his music and voice, something not to describe!
mesmerized. just like the first time I heard J. Buckley
yet so unique and refreshing
vampire again is masterpiece
Brilliant.
I wouldn't mind not feeling anything until the year 2025
Wow.. He sounded like I was listening to a record from a gramophone(the first song)! He got that old soul!
The last 5 minutes of this always blows my fucking brain
Music right now is the best it ever has been, just got to dig.
Didnt expect this :00
MARLON!!! You're killing it bro
this made me miss Odetta! Thank you Marlon. (First track reminiscent of her version of "House of the Rising Sun)
Goosebumps everywhere
He sounds a little bit like Roy Orbison.
He's the Maori Roy Orbison. Also the Maori Elvis. He's definitely got a little bit of the 1950's in his sound.
Repping that NZ blood! Great sound bro👍👍
Certain parts remind me a lot of Jeff Buckley I really dig it.
Also Antony Hegarty!
Damn. Spot on. Marlon's got some pipes.
Same
The last song is so beautiful!
Make way for love always hits me in the feels 😭❤️
Me too. Play it every night to get to sleep. Recorded across harbour from my house!!
How beautiful! We discovered Marlon watching “The beautiful lie” movie. I had to find who’s singing ❤️
Just an amazing voice. Perfect💜💜💜
Can't wait to see him next week in London. His voice is amazing!!
Dave!!! Fantastic to see your success mate (if you see this!).
I was waiting for Jason Segel to make a cameo appearance with his Dracula song.
hahahaha
Hahaha yes
I knew NPR had a Marlon vid in their back pocket. So worth the wait.
If you like this you'd love the band Timber Timbre, especially the album Creep on Creepin' on. Those guitar tones on Vampire Again are inspired and lovely.
Much agreed St. Clout I’ve been a timber timber fan for quite some time and when I found ol’ Marlon here my first thought was wow... these two singers have hauntingly and timeless voices that give me chills. Especially the more sinister and creepy songs..
So, good to know I'm not the only one to get some similarities between their vibes :)
Yeah you're 100% on point there. I just found Marlon Williams today through his song "dark child" and it felt very similar in emotion to timber timbre's "run from me"
OMG!!! I love His voice. Now Im your fan
Saw him open for Sam Beam. Smitten ever since. Buy his music!
Now that’s a gig I’m jealous of!
Uplifting! Watching “The beautiful lie” I had to find out who’s this wonderful singer ♥️👏
I did exactly the same thing. Love that voice. Incredible.
chris isaak and morrissey, love it. and maybe one more flavor...?
Is anyone else thinking Elvis? Beautiful & strong voice
More like Roy Orbison
Like Judy Collins in a man's voice
More like jim morrison vocaly
Ya'll should look up Odetta "House of the Rising Sun" (or remember Odetta if you're overlooking her) for a reference on that first tune. It's so close it's nearly a "tribute".
@@VincentVader Check out Marlon's cover of "The First Ti,e Ever I saw Your Face" - fantastic...and very Roy Orbison.
Thank you for the pleasure!
He looks like Miles Teller and Vince Vaughn's child. But his voice is something else, something that got lost in the 60's and somebody found.
From the side at first I was sure it was Miles Teller _and then he started singing_
all I could think was "Not my tempo!!!"
RedShadow Well spotted! Never thought of the resemblance but I’ve always thought they were individually attractive.
I think he also looks a little like English singer *Orlando Weeks* from the band *The Maccabees*
Damn. Beautiful inside and out! 😍
Thanks, now I'm obsessed
Thanks NPR Music❤❤❤
Un great voice! A very talented group!
A very special musician. Sang at our memorial service after Christchurch quakes killed so many and left others traumatised! Voice of an angel!! Is online Helen Diamond Harbour
Tino pai te Waiata! Ka mau te wehi ehoa!!!
Jesus dude, that was amazing.
Can’t wait to see him in Los Angeles in April!
Vampire again felt like it had a little bit of Screamin' Jay in it.
He sounds like Anohni, love it.
I love this man.
Sérieusement exceptionnellement génial……..
Thank you for sharing your beautiful.
WHY AM I JUST SEEING THIS NOW?
WOW!!!!! x
very impressive dude
You made me stop cryin. Thanks ;)
when you WERE a young girl?? you still are!!! i believ in uuu
Awesomeness