Busby Marou Back with Album Number Two

After enjoying some time making music with his housemates as part of Good Oak, Tom Busby is back to the duo that made him famous. Busby Marou will tour the country next month to celebrate the release of their second album Farewell Fitzroy, due out on October 4.

Personally I’m thankful for the release just because it gives my parents something new to play. I’m pretty sure Busby Marou’s stellar debut has found its way onto their stereo on every family get together in the last two years. Not just one spin either. I love that album as much as the rest of my clan, but it’s going to be awesome to hear something fresh!

We should expect a bigger sound this time around, as Busby Marou were joined in a Nashville studio by their touring buddies Damon DJ Syme, Vincenso Russo, and Vaughan Jones.

Busby Marou are so proud of their new songs that they’re wasting no time taking them to the people. They’ll kick off a national tour in Byron Bay on the same day as Farewell Fitzroy’s release.

4 October 2013 – Boomerang Festival, Byron Bay
5 October 2013 – Caloundra Music Festival, Caloundra
12 October 2013 – Great Western Hotel, Rockhampton
24 October 2013 – The SoundLounge, Gold Coast
25 October 2013 – The Hi-Fi, Brisbane
26 October 2013 – The Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
7 November 2013 – Zierholz @ University of Canberra, Canberra
8 November 2013 – The Small Ballroom, Newcastle
9 November 2013 – The Standard, Sydney
10 November 2013 – The Heritage Hotel, Bulli
13 November 2013 – Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre, Mackay (All Ages)
15 November 2013 – Flinders Social, Townsville
16 November 2013 – Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns (15+)
22 November 2013 – Republic Bar, Hobart
23 November 2013 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
29 November 2013 – Fowlers, Adelaide (All Ages)
30 November 2013 – Fly by Night, Fremantle

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Tom Busby’s Good Oak Hit the Road

When he’s not wowing crowds as one half of Busby Marou, Tom Busby is making beautiful music with his housemates Stephen Ryan and Brett Gibson. Together they are Good Oak, a three-piece creating some of the most gorgeous folk music I’ve heard in some time.

The Queensland band’s just released their debut self-titled EP which includes the beautiful single “The Bear Song”. The harmonies are exquisite, and while it’s gentle it’s definitely a song that stays with you. Songs don’t always need to scream loudly to make an impression, do they?

If you love what you hear, make sure you catch Good Oak supporting their EP’s release on The Big Strong Bear Tour.

23 May 2013 – Gov’s Espresso, Mermaid Beach
24 May 2013 – The Armidale Club, Armidale
25 May 2013 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney
26 May 2013 – Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour

Tom Busby and Pals are Good Oak

When he’s not singing with his mate Jeremy Marou in the acclaimed folk outfit Busby Marou, Tom Busby is playing music with his housemates in the brand new band Good Oak.

Good Oak began when Tom, Brett Gibson, and Stephen Ryan began jamming over a couple of beers. They soon realised they had something pretty special, so now they’re taking their music to the masses.

This is pure music, without the technology or modern frills. Their three-part harmonies are sublime.

In this electronic press kit you can hear a bit of Good Oak’s first single “Fill My Cup.” It gives us a taste of what’s in store when Good Oak release their debut EP early next year. If this EPK’s any indication, that recording’s going to be something special.

Busby Marou Announce Final Aussie Tour for 2012

If the old saying that there’s no rest for the wicked is true, the lads from Busby Marou must be very bad boys. Fresh from shows in North America, this hardworking Rockhampton duo is preparing to hit local stages again.

The forthcoming tour celebrates the recent release of the deluxe edition of their self-titled debut album. If you still don’t have it yet, the addition of the new single “I Still Don’t Believe,” some old EP tracks, and a few choice cover versions might convince you to invest!

The single tour is your last chance to see Busby Marou before they return to North America for the rest of the year. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

14 June 2012 – Lizottes, Kincumber
15 June 2012 – The Cambridge, Newcastle
16 June 2012 – Diggers Grand Ballroom, Tamworth
20 June 2012 – Heritage Hotel, Wollongong
22 June 2012 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
23 June 2012 – Zierholz, Canberra
24 June 2012 – The New Albury Hotel, Albury (Free)
27 June 2012 – Bended Elbow, Geelong
28 June 2012 – The Corner, Melbourne
29 June 2012 – Fowlers, Adelaide
6 July 2012 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
7 July 2012 – Rosemount Hotel, Perth
8 July 2012 – Newport Hotel, Fremantle
12 July 2012 – Woombye Pub, Sunny Coast
13 July 2012 – The Sound Lounge, Gold Coast
14 July 2012 – The Tivoli, Brisbane
15 July 2012 – Great Northern, Byron Bay

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Busby Marou Tour North America

Look out North America; Busby Marou are coming your way.

The talented twosome from Rockhampton will tour Canada and the United States next month to celebrate the American release of their self titled debut album. These dates include prestigious slots at Austin’s South by Southwest and Canadian Music Week.

That amazing album will hit American record stores soon, but until then music lovers can get a sneak peek at the following shows. You all know how I feel about this band. See them Americans! You won’t be disappointed!

11 March 2012 – The Echo, Los Angeles
17 March 2012 – Maggie Maes, Austin
14 March 2012 – Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto
26 March 2012 – Bowery Ballroom, New York

Image source: own photo

Busby Marou & Georgia Fair @ Lizotte’s, Newcastle – 29 January 2012

I was lucky enough to catch Busby Marou and Georgia Fair last night as their 5 Rocks tour made its final pitstop at Newcastle’s Lizotte’s. A night out at Lizotte’s always feels indulgent, and when it’s married with performances from two of Australia’s most promising up and coming acts it’s made even more exciting.
I’ve been casually following Georgia Fair’s career for the last couple of years now, and I was thrilled to see how much they’ve grown. The banter with the crowd still feels a bit stilted, but all that awkwardness melts away once the music starts. The lads complement one another so beautifully, both with their instruments and their voices, and it’s a pleasure to witness. I can’t recall observing a crowd so hushed during a support act’s set in some time.

I loved Georgia Fair, but Busby Marou took the energy levels up a notch. They haven’t been on the national scene for very long, but their performance felt so comfortable and easy. Again we were treated to some incredible harmonies and a stunning meeting of instruments. I’ve loved the duo’s songs since I heard their self-titled debut album last year, but they took on extra meaning with the explanations Tom gave. I was thrilled to hear all my favourite cuts from the album, but out of my skin excited to hear them cover “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.” It seems the cover came about on Triple J’s Like a Version sessions, but I hadn’t heard it before. What an introduction to its existence though. I thought I might have bounced out of my seat with joy.

My Dad often bemoans the state of modern music and longs for the glory days of the 60s and 70s. Yet after watching the performance even he concedes that with bands like Busby Marou and Georgia Fair around, the future of our local scene is in very safe hands.

Image source: own photos

Busby Marou & Georgia Fair Tour Together

Fans of acoustic folk pop are in for a real treat next year as Busby Marou will tour the East Coast with Georgia Fair. Busby Marou were probably my favourite find of 2011, and I’ve been a Georgia Fair fan even longer than that. Needless to say, I’ve already snapped up my tickets.

Busby Marou are still riding high on the success of their self-titled debut album, while Georgia Fair are out to promote their own first record, All Through Winter. These acts both have so much natural talent, and the intimate venues should suit them down to the ground. Double bills like this don’t come along every day, so make sure you don’t miss out.

5 January 2012 – Milton Theatre, Milton
7 January 2012 – Club Sapphire, Merimbula
8 January 2012 – Bomaderry Hotel, Bomaderry
12 January 2012 – Westernport Hotel, San Remo
13 January 2012 – Torquay Hotel, Torquay
15 January 2012 – The Loft, Warrnambool
19 January 2012 – Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour
20 January 2012 – Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta
27 January 2012 – Lizotte’s, Kincumber
28 January 2012 – Lizotte’s, Dee Why
29 January 2012 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle

Image used with permission from Frogstomp Music

“Busby Marou” – Busby Marou

The charming music just keeps finding its way onto my desk. Busby Marou wowed me with their version of “Better Be Home Soon” on He Will Have His Way, and I was impressed when I heard my first taste of their original material with the single “Biding My Time.” So my expectations were high when Busby Marou’s self-titled album album crossed my desk. Perhaps not so surprisingly, this Queensland-based duo has delivered just what I hoped they would.

This is really is back to basics music, without frills or gimmicks. In a world where Lady Gaga reigns supreme, that organic approach to music is really like a breath of fresh air. It makes this disc feel instantly familiar. It uses elements we know but don’t hear enough of these days; simple but beautiful harmonies, the driving force of an acoustic guitar, and honest lyrics that paint moving stories.

It’s a really assured debut album. Busby Marou may not have recorded a full-length disc before, but they know their craft and their instruments. It’s very polished, but not in the artificial way we see so often in the music industry. It’s just really good.

Ordinarily I have instant favourites when I listen to a disc, but it hasn’t worked that way for me this time around. I found myself appreciating the way the voices melded together in one song, the faultless guitar picking in another, but it really all works as a cohesive collection of music rather than a series of obvious singles.

Busby Marou’s self-titled album is quite simply one of the best recordings I’ve heard all year. Seek it out; I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Busby Marou hits record stores today.

Busby Marou Tour “Biding My Time”

Chilled out Rockhampton natives Busby Marou are preparing to release their debut album Biding My Time on June 24, and they’re wasting no time getting out to tour it.

The run of shows will kick off in their home state on July 1 and take in capital cities and major regional centers before coming to a close in Sydney later that month.

Just as we see on the album, Busby Marou’s live music is really back to basics, with its focus on story telling, organic instrumentation, and harmonies. If that sounds like your kind of thing you won’t want to miss these shows.

1 July 2011 – The Old Museum, Brisbane
8 July 2011 – The SoundLounge, Currumbin
10 July 2011 – The Pilbeam Theatre, Rockhampton
14 July 2011 – Jive, Adelaide
15 July 2011 – Northcote Social Club, Northcote
16 July 2011 – The National Hotel, Geelong
21 July 2011 – Heritage Hotel, Bulli
22 July 2011 – CBD Hotel, Newcastle
23 July 2011 – Spectrum, Darlinghurst

Image used with permission from Frogstomp Music

Busby Marou Ready to Unleash Debut Album

For me the standout track of the boys’ Finn Brothers tribute album He Will Have His Way was the tender rendition of “Better Be Home Soon” by Rockhampton’s own Busby Marou. I didn’t know anything about this Queensland based duo, but I knew I wanted to hear more.

I’ll get my wish next month when Jeremy Marou and Thomas Busby release their debut self-titled album on June 24. That’s a long time to wait, so thankfully they’ll digitally release a single “Biding My Time” on May 27.

If you haven’t heard of Busby Marou yet you’ll get the opportunity soon. The band’s planning some relentless touring over the next 12 months, so look out for them in your hometown!

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music