For the boys of Brisbane-based, Rockhampton-born band BusbyMarou, the seeds have been sewn for a very successful future for this sunny duo; travelling relentlessly for the past twelve months on the back of their self-titled debut album has opened up new doors for Thomas Busby and Jeremy Marou.
Having recently returned from a whirlwind tour of the United States and winning the coveted APRA award for Best Roots and Blues Work of the Year (for “Biding My Time”), Thomas Busby calls in for a chat about their upcoming tour, the sometimes dreaded ‘difficult second album’ curse and how the country lads deal with their new-found musical fame. “Well, I certainly can’t go home and walk down the street in my footy shorts anymore, that’s for sure!” Busby chortles.
“I struggle a little with the attention but it’s a fantastic feeling going home to Rocky,” says the singer of his native Rockhampton. “We’re always ready to see our family and to say g’day to everyone but then just getting off the plane you can hear everyone talking about you and, walking down the street, everyone wants to say hello.” Busby pauses thoughtfully before collecting his thoughts on his hometown.
“Rocky is an interesting town, it’s our home, but there’s a bit of ‘tall poppy’ there. Not for us, though. Everyone just wants to wish us well. It was a really proud moment for me, going back last time, just knowing our whole town is behind us no matter what happens.”
Busby recently had to accept the peer-voted APRA award without his friend and musical collaborator, “it was one of the most rewarding experiences to date but it was very nerve-wracking accepting the award without him; it was really overwhelming.”
Tom Busby is the kind of bloke that mums everywhere would be proud of, seeing their son grow up be a man as humble as pie, deflecting any attention from himself as he gushes his admiration and respect for the fellow musicians in his life. There’s drummer DJ Syme who, “all the girls love… the blokes love him too, come to think of it; he’s a loveable character!” All-rounder Connor Fitzgerald is a “phenomenal keyboardist and one of those genuinely talented people” and bass player Enzo simply “lives and breathes music.” Even the rhythm section is “all class and incredible people.”
For the I Still Don’t Believe Tour, BusbyMarou are making their intentions clear that these will be their best shows yet. With a stage bursting with musicians fully dedicated to their cause, they’ve also teamed up with an incredible sound and tech crew. “We’ve not been able to afford extra members in the past,” reasons Busby, “but we’re putting all our money on the table. The connection was so obvious, it had to happen and it’s always been a goal to have a whole team with us. Now we’re finally doing it!”
Is he excited to be heading on tour? “We’re ready to get back on the road that’s for sure, we’re so excited, and not only the really big cities but the smaller towns too. We thought we needed a break initially (after returning from the US) but it turns out that our only structure is when we’re on the road! When we’re not, I feel sort of helpless at times…”
If touring life is their only structure, how goes the creative process? “Oh, we don’t like any assistance; we don’t like the band or anyone else being there. We just want to make sure it’s given a very acoustic feel. Then we’ll take songs to the band and then we’ll go into the studio.”
Busby continues to explain the musical relationship between himself and Marou, “it’s collaborative but we have our certain roles. I’ll come up with the skeleton of the melody and lyrics. Jeremy will transform it into a complete song with me; we’ll use the melody as a guide to work out where the song is going.”
His glowing respect for his partner-in-crime is as clear as Queensland’s sunshine. “Jeremy can play bass and drums as well as guitar and his skill on the instruments directs us into bridges and choruses,” Busby beams, “he knows what’s coming and where it’s going so he gives a really good indication before we’re even in the studio to record with the band.”
After their eponymous 2011 debut release, the armfuls of awards and accolades and the non-stop touring, Busby has been far from drained of inspiration. “I just haven’t stopped writing, melody after melody,” relates the singer. “It’s just about finding the time and space for Jeremy and I to sit down together! You’d think it’d be easier, we see each other so much but that’s been the most difficult part. It’s just like, we’re flying in and out of airports for a gig or an event and it’s just not the right environment for us to do what we need to do.”
No definitive clues on when we’ll be hearing more glorious storytelling songs from the duo, though. “We’ve got a bulk amount of material but we’ve got an equally busy schedule for the next few months so once that sort of dies down we can figure out when we can disappear for maybe a month.”
With other Australian bands like The Temper Trap tackling the often cursed second album, how are the down-to-earth, nothing-but-flies-bother-us boys from country Queensland treading around the supposed ‘sophomore slump’? “I never thought I would be but I am conscious of it. You know, the more success you gain, the more pressure there is and the more you’re aware when you’re writing.”
He continues with a deep sincerity, “I feel for The Temper Trap, they’re an incredible band and no matter how good they’re album could be, they’re always going to get those mixed reviews; they’ve got too many fans now. I think fortunately for Jeremy and I, we don’t have the biggest fan-base and we’re not as well-known as those massive bands,” he bashfully states.
It’s hard not to interrupt Busby here to deride his modest disposition but he smoothly carries on with his matter-of-fact reasoning.
“I think in a way that’s a benefit for us and our (impending) second album. Writing is a process that should be kept close to your heart and do just because you love it. But once you’re out there, there are other people to write for as well and it’s hard trying not to have the radio or A&R reps in mind.”
Surely both the peer and public-voted honours – including Brisbane’s Q Song, a Deadly award plus a string of sell-out shows – have appeased any worries? “It’s definitely given me a bit of confidence to think, ‘Well, you know what, we’re doing the right thing’.” Busby laughs genially, “It’s a bit of a juggling act, you know, and hopefully we just keep doing what we love and hopefully everyone else loves it too!”
Busby Marou are currently on the road for their I Still Don’t Believe Tour, with dates across the nation. Full dates and details here.
