MARSHALL OKELL MUSIC OZ 2012 BLUES & ROOTS ARTIST OF THE YEAR
“Love that slide playing.” – Chris Scaddan – TRIPLE J
Marshall OKell has an exciting new project & new band Marshall OKell & The Pride!!! It’s the sound of Surf Roots & Australian Mojo Rock. It’s stomping in high energy yet jaw dropping and full of fresh new raw emotion. A style of music garnished and brewed in the Far North Coast surfing Mecca of Lennox Head/Byron Bay, NSW. The songs are powerful, rhythmic, honest and emotional. The live performances are raucous, energetic, feel good and super sweaty!!
Marshall OKell & The Pride performances are igniting fervent reactions all over the Country. This new collaboration and now Four Piece has fans frothing!!! Musicians that have been brought in for the new album titled ‘BIRDY’ include members from Chase The Sun, The Hussy Hicks, Brittle, Hat Fitz and Kostaman & The Good Vibrations (Canada).
“A rip-roaring blues set that went off.” – Richard Porteous – ABC RADIO
“That’s the best music I’ve heard in years.” – Bill Chambers
In 12 months Marshall has recorded a timeless album and is ready for its release this Easter 2013. The album was produced by the late and very great Brian ‘BIRDY’ Burdett. Recorded in the hills of Byron Bay in the amazing OLDDOG studios and mixed by one of the country’s very best Anthony Lycenko (ARIA Nominee, Pete Murray, U2, Beautiful Girls, Xavier Rudd). The album titled ‘BIRDY’ is by far Marshall OKell’s finest work to date. Full of happiness, heartbreak, love and new Australian anthems it will be on the lips of many a festival goer and music devotee in 2013. Its takes you from deep Rhythmic Paul Simon-esk feels to booty shaking sweat sessions that tap into Old Hendrix and Allman Brothers 70’s Rock and Mojo sounds. The raw emotion and loss of Marshall OKell’s Producer and close friend Birdy in a fatal car crash with his two young daughters followed by his musical and life inspiring Father loosing an epic battle with Cancer in 2012 has given him a new passion, pain, spark and fire in his song writing and performances. It has truly gone to another level.
Marshall establishes his intent beyond doubt on the ‘BIRDY’ album, with a potent collection of songs that defines an artist and band in a blazing trajectory – but still firmly anchored to his roots. Marshall evokes the classic beauty of superbly handled guitar against a declaration of artistic and emotional sovereignty. OKell’s vocals are extraordinary, powerful and commanding; chiming with restless and over-the-neck slide guitar virtuosity which the new all star band meets blow for blow. These new tracks stay with you, inside your mind, taking control of your mornings for months on end!!!
“Infectious As Hell”
“Raucous purveyors of roots music with a harder twist”
Sam Fell – RHYTHMS MAGAZINE & INPRESS
Marshall Okell tracks have been the summer soundtrack for many a carefree music lover or festival freak. His songs are featured on surf and sport films, webisodes and TV ads all around the globe. These include David Bradbury’s Going Vertical, Surfing Life and Billabong dvd’s, high energy helicopter adds, extreme fishing adventures and epic snowboarding movies.
There have been standout performances at Woodford Festival, Byron Bay Blues Festival, The Gympie Muster, The Quicksilver Pro show, Queenscliff Music Festival, Apollo Bay Music Festival, Festival of the Sun and Peats Ridge Music Festival. Marshall OKell has played alongside some of Australia and the World’s best including – Ben Harper Wolfmother, Gotye, The Living End, Buddy Guy, Blue King Brown, The Cat Empire, Jeff Lang, Gomez and Xavier Rudd to name a few.
Marshall Okell displays the ability, like all great performers, to go inside his music and inhabit it like a shaman,“I go somewhere in the cosmos when I play. Time stops and I really don’t know how long I’m out sometimes. Explosive, happy, vibing crowds send me crazy, almost super-human! I’m excited to find out just how far the right crowd can push me” he reveals. Wherever he goes, it’s working.
RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS AND AWARDS INCLUDE:
Winner of Best Blues & Roots at The OZ Music awards 2012 – Regular Triple J and Roots & All air play – Overseas airplay in: Europe, Japan, Canada and the US – Songs featured with Billabong & Surfing Life – Distribution through P-Vine records in Japan and Only Blues Music in Australia – Two time finalists in the International Song Writing Competition – High Rotation on ZZZ Commercial Radio Lismore/Northern Rivers with 3 singles in 3 albums over a 6 yr period - Winners of Album of the year, Song of the year, Best Male Vocal, Best Protest & Best Blues and Roots artist at the NCEIA Dolphin Awards.
CONTACT
management@marshallokell.com
BOOKINGS
Rhythm Section Management
Jon Howell
jon@rhythmsection.com.au
0407 700 682
PUBLICITY & MEDIA
Rhythm Section Management
Ryan Van-Gennip
ryan@rhythmsection.com.au
0425 274 608
