Bluesfest busker brings innovative foot drum to venues across town

MINNIE Marks has had a soft spot for Bluesfest since winning the busking festival there in 2022, making this year’s cancellation all the more disappointing.

But the one-woman band made sure the Easter long weekend didn’t miss a beat, playing a string of gigs across the region.

Her appearances included The Northern in Byron Bay, a sold-out crowd at the Living End gig at Hotel Brunswick, followed by a dash to The Eltham Hotel to join Hussy Hicks for the end of their set.

Now the Gold Coast-based artist is gearing up to do it all again at the upcoming Mullum Roots Festival.

Originally from Crescent Head, the 32-year-old picked up the guitar at age 10. Her songs are mostly about good times, late nights with her crew and, of course, love. Influenced by artists such as Little Feat, Bonnie Raitt and Sean Costello, she gravitates toward blues and funk, along with “a heck of a lot of slide guitar”.

“Being able to make an inanimate object make noise is something I find extremely fascinating – and the challenge to then actually make something tasteful emerge that feels good not only for yourself, but others is something magical that is very hard to describe,” she said.

She is also known for her innovative foot drum.

“It’s quite an anomaly this foot drum – it’s one of the first compact rigs that is all together in one piece, yet you can mix it up like a normal drum kit,” she said. “There are endless amounts of variations you can use, and it really has shaken up and taken things to a new level for the one man/woman band thing.”

Named Musician of the Year at the Sunshine Coast Music Awards in 2025, Marks moved to the Gold Coast earlier this year to be closer to friends in the Northern Rivers, including her longtime gal pals Leesa Genz and Jules Parker from the Lismore-based Hussy Hicks.

“I first found a video of them playing in Italy on top of a castle – it blew my head off!” she said. “I showed my Mum the video and told her that I was going to meet them one day. We finally met in Tamworth at the Country Music Festival when I was 15, got to know each other and then they took me under their wing and showed me the ropes. It’s not often you get to hang out with your heroes and call them your family. Love those two.”

Marks is now collaborating with them on her new album, set for release later this year.

“It’s a mixture of a lot of slide guitar, some funky ones, a couple of nicer listening tunes,” she said. “But there is a fair amount of guitar work and songwriting that I’m incredibly proud of.”

Minnie Marks is performing at Mullum Roots Festival, which is on at various venues throughout the town 11-12 July.

For more information and tickets, visit mullumrootsfest.com