Manchester-based band Marouli have unveiled their third single, ‘Don’t Wanna Dance’, released ahead of their highly anticipated sophomore album, Tall Tales from a Distant Uncle Volume 2, due 24th October.
The band is led by Graham McCusker, a pianist and backing vocalist with Band of Skulls and an accomplished Irish-British multi-instrumentalist. McCusker brings an impressive list of credits to Marouli, having composed for major television productions such as His Dark Materials (BBC/HBO), The Essex Serpent (Apple TV), The Strays (Netflix), and Bodies (Netflix). His session work includes collaborations with industry icons such as Hans Zimmer, Boy George, and Clean Bandit.
Marouli’s sound on ‘Don’t Wanna Dance’ is as comparable to Elbow as it is to David Bowie, fusing poetic, reflective lyricism with an instrumental backdrop that traverses funk, soul, and alternative rock. The track features bright, choppy guitars, tight layers of percussion and drums, buoyant bass lines, and sparkling keys, framing McCusker’s commanding vocal delivery.
Speaking about the single, 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 storytelling, echoing the narrative depth of Billy Connolly. Featuring genre-spanning arrangements, it marks a significant creative chapter for McCusker, much of which was written after overcoming cancer for the second time.
Formed in 2018, Marouli comprises a stellar lineup: Graham McCusker (vocals/keys), Alex Hill (keys), Josh Poole (saxophone), Adam Bidgood (trumpet), Alex Dineen (guitar), Jamie Brewster (bass), and Matt Brown (drums). McCusker, born in Paisley, grew up in a musical household and trained at the Junior Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and the Royal Northern College of Music.
With growing support from tastemaker press and national radio, Marouli are carving a unique space in the contemporary music scene. Tall Tales from a Distant Uncle Volume 2 promises to deliver a rich, one-of-a-kind listening experience, bringing together tracks years in the making with inventive new arrangements.
Listen to the new single below, keep an eye out for the upcoming album:
