Tom Busby is looking forward to his next trip with particular enthusiasm.
“We cannot wait to get to Margaret River, I can’t tell you how many times we’ve said we need to get there and play some music.”
The award-winning musician, one half of the popular Australian duo Busby Marou, has embarked on the group’s latest national tour in support of their ARIA #1 album Postcards From The Shell House and said he is keen to experience the South West of WA.
The furthest south we've been so far is Bunbury, this time we physically made our booking agent book Settlers because we wanted to come to Margaret River.
- Thomas Busby, Busby Marou
“Jeremy has family in WA, and we always have awesome crowds at our shows over there,” Busby told the Mail last week.
”The furthest south we've been so far is Bunbury, and this time we physically made our booking agent book Settlers Tavern because we wanted to come to Margaret River so badly.”
The pair decided to tour with a stripped-back arrangement that sees the two musicians performing new tracks and old favourites.
“We have gone back to the duo format, and we haven’t really had a chance to show WA what that is all about yet,” Busby said. “We call it a ‘pay the mortgage tour’ because there’s less costs involved with a smaller set up.
“But in all seriousness, the feedback we’ve been getting is that there is more opportunity to actually appreciate the harmonies and the songwriting itself rather than the full live band.”
Busby Marou’s self titled debut was certified ARIA Gold in 2014, while their follow up album ‘Farewell Fitzroy’ debuted at #5 on the album charts. The latest album, recorded at The Stables studios in Victoria as well as during sessions on Great Keppel Island, features the singles Getaway Car and Best Part of Me and Busby said was a return to the band’s roots.
“We’re not very ‘arty’ people,” he admitted. “We’re older fellas now, and we’ve earned ourselves a bit of the freedom and confidence to choose who you’d like to work with and where you do that work.”
The house in question, a heritage-listed building on Great Keppel Island off the coast of their native Rockhampton, has great significance to the duo.
Early in their career the friends would sit around a campfire and sing songs, one or two of which ended up on a record. Last year that same method in the same location produced a few songs for the new album.
“We love songwriting,” said Busby. “But we really love touring, playing live is what it’s all about.”
He said the group was surprised at the loyalty of fans who passionately supported the latest release.
“I was blown away by the level of support we’ve received, not only from our Rockhampton stalwarts but people all around the country.
“There’s nothing quite like that feeling when the whole crowd starts singing your song back to you, I think as a songwriter there is no greater compliment, it’s truly incredible and gives you goosebumps.
“I think a lot of it comes down to how we’ve worked to tour the regional areas, we really make an effort to hit those places outside metropolitan centres.
“We’re rewarded with amazing audiences that know every word of the songs and they’re always out to have a great time.”
Busby Marou will play Settlers Tavern Thursday June 22. Tickets are available at settlerstavern.com