Jeremy Marou, Musician, Busby Marou
Live spontaneously and don't be afraid of making big decisions ...
Melding perfect harmonies and captivating musicianship, Busby Marou is the talented outfit of Tom Busby and Jeremy Marou. Having met in Rockhampton, Tom and Jeremy drew inspiration from their musical families and a love of storytelling to write and perform together. A proud Torres Straight Islander, Jeremy Marou is the musical equivalent of a chameleon, adapting instantly to any instrument his fingers grace. His musical abilities shine on ukulele, bass, drums and piano, but it’s his melodic guitar work that proves truly inspiring. Last year the Queensland duo was honoured with winning the APRA Blues & Roots Work of the Year award for popular their track ‘Biding My Time’. The Weekend Edition caught up with Jeremy before the pair heads to Byron Bay for Bluesfest this weekend, playing on April 1 at 12:00 pm.
How do you like to start your weekend?
Friday night footy with the boys followed by a jam on the deck.
What’s your favourite thing to do on a Saturday morning?
Sleep in, followed by a big breakfast and great coffee at Iceworks, Paddington.
How do you like to unwind?
Hanging with all my family in Yeppoon – beach cricket and footy with my nieces and nephews, beers and a punt with my brothers and old man, cocktails and being pampered by my sisters and my darling ma.
What are your essentials for a well-spent weekend?
No commitments, sunshine, beach and family.
What’s something you’ve been meaning to do on the weekend but haven’t got around to yet?
Get up early, go for a run, hit the markets and stock up on healthy food for the week ahead. But I always seem to struggle at the first hurdle …
What’s your favourite thing to do on a Sunday evening?
Eat Mexican, drink a margarita and watch a movie.
What are you looking forward to next weekend?
No matter how much I love being on the road, I am really looking forward to my first weekend off in a long time to catch up on some washing.
What are you reading at the moment?
Shantaram: A Novel by Gregory David Roberts.
What inspires you?
Travelling seems to motivate me the most. I spent a few days in New Orleans recently and that city and the people in it have given me some cool experiences to write about.
What was your childhood dream?
I wanted to be the host of Don’t Forget Your Toothbrush and play footy for the Brisbane Broncos on the weekends.
What has been your greatest achievement?
Being in a position to quit my day job to write and play music full time felt like a huge achievement. But, winning the APRA Awards Blues and Roots Work of the Year the following year, felt even better.
What is success to you?
Success to me has only ever meant to be part of a happy family. Sometimes it takes a lot of work and patience, but it is well worth it.
What are your words of wisdom?
Some people say ‘why?’ … other people say, ‘why not?’. Live spontaneously and don’t be afraid of making big decisions.
Only a local would know … I took up skateboarding for the first time this year. And they would also know that, although I am not very good, I am much better than my tall manager.
FAVOURITE WEEKEND SPOT TO:
Perk up … Brew Cafe Tapas Bar, Brisbane City.
Relax … Great Keppel Island.
Dine … Grappino, Paddington.
Indulge … Gold Class Cinemas.
Shop … Vinnies in Rockhampton (just down the road from Mum & Dad’s place).
Catch-up … My deck overlooking Brisbane, with spiced rums.
Be inspired … Byron Bay Hinterland.
