Marlon Williams - Te Whare Tīwekaweka - White Color Vinyl Record

Ko te reo Māori, he matapihi ki te ao Māori, a beautiful Māori whakatauki (proverb), has inspired Aotearoa singer/songwriter Marlon Williams (Kāi Tahu, Ngāi Tai) in creating his fourth solo album, Te Whare Tīwekaweka. In English, this translates to “The Māori language is a window to the Māori world,” perfectly capturing Marlon’s motivation for his first album in te reo Māori. As Marlon shares, “Through the process of constructing these songs, I’ve discovered a way to express my joys, sorrows, and humour that feels uniquely fresh while connecting me to my tīpuna [ancestors] and my whenua [land, home].” At the heart of Te Whare Tīwekaweka is connection. The five-year journey of crafting this album has helped Marlon reconnect with family, friends, and his beloved hometown of Lyttelton after spending a vibrant decade pursuing his music career around the globe. This album represents a meaningful step in Marlon’s journey with his ancestral language, enhancing his skills in te reo Māori as he collaborated closely with his good friend and co-writer, rapper KOMMI. The language has brought forth a new level of lyrical honesty and an expansive sonic vision. With the support of his long-time touring band The Yarra Benders, co-producer Mark Perkins (Te Whānau-ā-Apanui), the He Waka Kōtuia singers, and a special collaboration with pop star Lorde, the album beautifully weaves through Marlon’s familiar folk-country-bluegrass styles while exploring the vibrant rhythms of Māori music. The result is a collection that feels both contemporary and timeless.