ENTERTAINMENT
ISSUE# 30.20
October 28–November 4, 2015 Editor : Mandy Nolan Editorial/gigs : gigs@echo.net.au Advertising : adcopy@echo.net.au P : 02 6684 1777 w : echo.net.au/entertainment
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| LIVE MUSIC...P32 | CULTURE...P34 | CINEMA...P35 | GIG GUIDE...P36 |
THIS IS M.E. AT BLUES
MEETING MARLON WILLIAMS WHEN I SPOKE WITH SINGER/
S O N G W R I T E R , T H E Q U I E T LY S P O K E N MARLON WILLIAMS HE WAS IN MT EDEN IN AUCKLAND ON A CHURCH TO U R . T H I S I S A P E R F E C T LO C AT I O N FOR THE ACCLAIMED CROONER, WHO AC T U A L LY S TA RT E D S I N G I N G I N A C AT H E D R A L C H O I R .
So what was the album that first turned Marlon onto contemporary music? ‘The first album that really struck me is Big Pink by The Band, they had been playing with different artists, backing Dylan on his European tour – they went off to a cabin in the hills and recorded this seminal album of Americanah – for me that album is so solid and complete within itself – it’s sort of a blueprint for genius.’ So how does Marlon approach taking his album to the stage?
Finally, the question is answered about why he’s so bloody good.
Marlon admits to not always feeling comfortable on stage, which is a surprise, as he’s such a mesmerising performer.
Although Marlon laughs that his classical training can go both ways. ‘At times it’s both a help and a hindrance – it’s a help in that I know the science behind what I am doing and it’s a hindrance in that I know the science behind what I am doing! I had this voodoo paranoia about learning music. I have come to a place now where I know a lot of the rules and have a bit of appreciation of what it means to aesthetically break the rules. In the end it has helped me along.’ A New Zealand boy who gets homesick for his country if he’s away too long Williams is a passionate songwriter who prefers to craft his music on a whim rather than in long disciplined sessions.
A UNIQUE BLUESFEST SHOW AND THREE SPECIAL SIDESHOW PERFORMANCES HAVE JUST BEEN ANNOUNCED.
‘As a writer I pick up a melody and often a lyric out of nowhere and see where it takes me, I am not very self-directed as a songwriter, it ends up being something that I am as surprised by as anyone else. Trying to think of a consolidated piece of work is a task for me, I have to exert an abnormal amount of direction.’
‘Singing has always been about whatever my voice can do first and foremost’, says Marlon, ‘I guess I didn’t really engage in the singing properly until my voice broke, by the time that I joined the Catholic Cathedral Choir and started singing Mozart – so I was already a classical tenor, I feel lucky that I got my classical grounding. I would turn up on a Sunday morning and have a whole new 35-minute piece to sight-read – but it all sat within my range so all I needed to do was upskill my theory and basic knowledge of how to read music.’
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‘You record an album specific to a space and time and go out and tour on the back of that, unless you are doing a real concept album – I know a lot of people when they tour the album it has to be faithfully represented. I don’t approach it like that. I want to have that personal touch, something specific to the place and time, it’s the beauty of live music.’
‘It’s the general unease of performance that is the impetus to keep moving and the problem is whatever you say it becomes a part of your performance, it’s hard to become earnest. I don’t think many artists become confident, and there are so many factors that go into a live show, and whatever comes – we are all in this together, with all of this personal bullshit… In the end, it is you on stage – just another shadow of myself.’ Marlon Williams is joined by the Yarra Benders and support act Ben Salter at the Byron Community Centre on 15 November. Tickets at the venue.
Bluesfest is welcoming the iconic superstar rocker, singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge for her This Is M.E. Australian tour, including her long-awaited Bluesfest debut on Sunday 27 March, 2016. This will be Melissa’s first visit to Australia since 2012. An Academy award and Grammy winning artist, Etheridge, will take the stage to perform songs from her new album, This is M.E, as well as some of her greatest hits like Come to My Window, I’m The Only One, Bring Me Some Water, Like the Way I Do and I Want To Come Over. Known for her iconic raspy, smoky vocals, profound lyrics and riveting stage presence, Melissa will share personal stories about her remarkable journey through life and the
inspiration behind some of her most beloved songs. Not only a blues rock megastar, songwriting hitmaker, and phenomenal guitarist, but tireless advocate for human rights and social change, Melissa Etheridge is a force and a talent whom organisers say they are honoured to have at Bluesfest and on tour around Australia. ‘Melissa Etheridge is coming to Bluesfest’, says festival director, Peter Noble. ‘She is a legend – an inspiration to so many – a simply brilliant live performer. She has won two Grammy awards and received 17 nominations. Melissa Etheridge’s set at Bluesfest will be remembered as one of the great performances. She is a leader, she is a great musician, a great campaigner for human rights, an environmentalist, a cancer survivor, it is simply an honour to present her at Bluesfest and on her Australian tour.’ Show details and more information can be found at bluesfesttouring.com.au.
coming soon WED 28 THU 29 FRI 30 SUN 1 MON 2 TUES 3
FLOATING BRIDGES & KALIDAD 7 NOV LUKE MORRIS ALBUM JAE HAYDEN LAUNCH JESSE PUMPHREY 12 NOV BRIAN JONESTOWN THE VANNS, WHITE LODGE, MASSACRE THE RUINS, DJ TAYA MILLS 13 NOV WAXHEAD HALLOWEEN – SAT 31 MATT ARMITAGE 14 NOV I KNOW LEOPARD TROPICAL ZOMBIE, JAX HAZE O, AV BR EL THE PINHEADS, 20 NOV GAY PARIS MELBOURNE CUP DJ CHRIS BRADLEY 21 NOV BORNEO FREE ENTRY OOZ FROM 1PM HOTEL GREAT NORTHERN • thenorthern.com.au • 6685 6454 MARSHALL OKELL
North Coast news daily: www.echonetdaily.net.au
PIC TO COME
6 NOV
The Byron Shire Echo October 28, 2015 31