Manchester 5-piece Marouli unveil the 3rd single ‘Don’t Wanna Dance’ (26th Sept), released just ahead of the upcoming sophomore album Tall Tales from a Distant Uncle Volume 2 (October 24th).
Led by pianist and backing vocalist with Band Of Skulls, Irish-British multi-instrumentalist Graham McCusker, the Manchester based band have already built a reputation on their local scene. McCusker also boasts an impressive list of credits including television productions such as His Dark Materials (BBC/HBO), The Essex Serpent (Apple TV), The Strays (Netflix), and Bodies (Netflix) and session work with renowned artists including Hans Zimmer, Boy George, and Clean Bandit.
As comparable to Elbow as it is to David Bowie, ‘Don’t Wanna Dance’ fuses poetic, reflective lyricism with an instrumental backdrop which is as categorisable as funk and soul as it is alternative-rock. Bright, choppy guitars, tight layers of percussion and drums, buoyant bass work and bright keys create a bright sound palette around McCusker’s stylistic, commanding vocal delivery.
Speaking about the single, songwriter and vocalist Graham McCusker explains:
“In short, it’s about someone who is too drained to enjoy nightlife and wants solitude instead of forced fun. A common feeling many have in today’s society! It’s also about exhaustion, socially and physically which is something I have had experience of recently when going through Chemo and Radiotherapy”
The upcoming album Tall Tales from a Distant Uncle Volume 2 is a poignant and imaginative tribute to the storytelling tradition of Billy Connolly, featuring rich, lyrical narratives woven through expressive, genre-spanning arrangements. It marks a powerful creative chapter for McCusker, who wrote much of the album after overcoming cancer for the second time.
Formed in 2018, Marouli brings together a stellar lineup of musicians. Graham McCusker (vocals/keys) is joined by Alex Hill (keys), Josh Poole (saxophone), Adam Bidgood (trumpet), Alex Dineen (guitar), Jamie Brewster (bass), and Matt Brown (drums).
Born in Paisley, McCusker grew up in a musical household and honed his talents at the Junior Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and the Royal Northern College of Music. His work extends beyond the stage, with original compositions featured in major TV and film productions such as His Dark Materials (BBC/HBO), The Essex Serpent (Apple TV), The Strays (Netflix), and Bodies (Netflix). He has also served as a session vocalist with legends like Hans Zimmer, Boy George, and Clean Bandit.
With growing support across tastemaker press and national radio, McCusker’s deep catalogue of original songs is turning heads. In Tall Tales from a Distant Uncle Volume 2, the group crafted the album by giving new life and arrangement to tracks that had been years in the making from Graham, and ultimately offering an astounding, one of a kind body of work.
Preview the full album here
The new single ‘Don’t Wanna Dance’ is due for release September 26th
