In 2013, Marshall Okell released his first album since parting from his backing band The Fro.Birdynot only marked Okell’s transition into performing as an outright solo artist, but it was a quieter, more emotional outing than his earlier work. It was widely publicised that Okell encountered some personal trauma in the lead-up toBirdy, which inspired a soulful edge in his songwriting.
“It wasdefinitelya hard few years,” he says, “but it made me stronger and softened me up all at once.”
During the last 12 months, Okell has been hard at work on the follow-up toBirdy. The Ballina local admits that persevering through those trying experiences – the loss of his father, as well as a dear friend – had a lasting impact on the way he approaches songwriting. However, he’s returned to the boisterous blues rock sound he’s best known for.
“I think the old fellas did some sort of voodoo on me,” he says. “Can’t stop riffing into the universe these days.Hendrix, [Johnny] Winter, Woodstock-style – there’s a lot of that on the record.”
In order to readapt to the gutsier sound, Okell looked towards his formative influences, including Muddy Waters, AC/DC and The Allman Brothers Band, for guidance. “That’s the shit I have been listening to my whole life. I’m so lucky to have old hippie musical parents who had a great ear for kick-arse bands. Even the old Aussie rockers, you know; Easybeats, Billy Thorpe, [Kevin] Borich. It was always on the stereo or in the car. We did a lot of travel as a kid. Music made the travel groovy, man.”
Thanks to a successful crowdfunding campaign, Nick DiDia came on board to mix the forthcoming record. With DiDia conveniently based on the North Coast at Studios 301 in Byron Bay, Okell is a fan of his career work.
“Nick DiDia has mixed some of my favourite albums,” he says. “Pearl Jam –Vs., Powderfinger–Internationalist, Rage Against The Machine –Evil Empire, Stone Temple Pilots– Core. I met Nick judging the grommets in the busking competition for Byron Bluesfest. We had a groovy time helping the kids out, I hit him up to mixthe record, showed him a few tracks and here we are.
“It’s been awhacky, emotional, healing, creative two-and-a-half years to say theleast. I can say that the music is back in full mojo positive energy force and the recordings I think havecaptured that raw energy again.”
Okell has long been a proud resident of the NSW North Coast. The support and encouragement from his hometown has played an important role in fostering his music career.
“The venues and people up here seem to like mystyleof the blues and let me play my own music all night long. Three-houroriginalgigs taught me how to keep the punters thirsty and happy, and it’s a deadly workout. I love walking, breathing and living in theBundjalung country. The mob up here are so passionate and true to their culture. It’s a blessing to be a part of.”
Backed by his touring band The Pride, Okell will headline this month’s Wollombi Music Festival. Located at the foot of Hunter wine country, Wollombi doesn’t get a great deal of live musicians coming through, but Okell’s no stranger.
“[I’ve] played a few shows out there now, slept in the wagon under the trees, met a heap of groovy, kind, caring, whacklocals and really can’t wait to come and have a boogie with you all again. It looks like a great lineup.”
Marshall Okell And The Pride play atWollombi Music Festival 2015,Saturday September 26, along with Knox Fiji, 19 Twenty, Transvaal Diamond Syndicate and more.
