By JONATHON HOWARD
DESPITE celebrating their second album going gold, hosting ABC’s Rage program and kicking off a regional tour across the country, Busby Marou still make time for their young fans with a visit to Tewantin State School last week.
The popular Queensland duo dropped into the school to give students a few guitar pointers and perform some tracks from their highly anticipated new album “Farewell Fitzroy”.
Jeremy Marou and Thomas Busby both said they enjoyed passing on their wisdom to students and helping celebrate NAIDOC Week.
“It’s great to see students recognising NAIDOC Week,” Mr Marou said.
“Working with students was a big part of what we did before we became big and we’re determined to keep that tradition going.”
The pair has toured nationally for the past four years and their success has led to an exciting future ahead.
“It can be a tough road for a musician, but with some determination, talent and passion you really can achieve your dreams,” Mr Busby said.
“We try to instil that message in students and to help them work towards their goals in music or other areas.”
On stage, Busby Marou’s core element – the intertwining vocal interplay of the two long-time pals – is magic.
“These are stories of our land, from suburban love songs to memories of the Kimberley,’ Mr Marou said.
Opener “My Second Mistake” turns a shuffling beat and soulful keys into a tale of fidelity, Catholic guilt, and growing up.
Anthemic single “Get You Out Of Here” is straight from the heart, charting the ups and downs of long-distance romance with its triumphant, soaring chorus.
A lone harmonica and acoustic strum introduces “Cruel To Be Kind”, the true story of a husband in love with his wife – who’s unfortunately living next door.
“Over My Dead Body” is classic Busby Marou; the funky “Gameplan” captures the full band rocking out; “Widow” sifts through the debris of a big night out.
And then there’s the elegant, road worthy “Luke” – co-written with Aussie songwriting royalty, Don Walker (Cold Chisel, Tex, Don and Charlie).