John Butler Trio

John Butler announces new album and new Trio members!

John Butler Trio — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:55:47 -0000

John Butler is proud to announce the new line up to the ever evolving John Butler Trio. Melbourne musician Nicky Bomba will feature as the new drummer and percussionist. Nicky has been a prominent member of the Melbourne music scene with his band Bomba and is a prolific songwriter, performer and producer in his own right. Nicky was also the principle drummer on JBT’s five times platinum album ‘Sunrise Over Sea’.

Sydney musician Byron Luiters will feature as the new bass player. Byron is a talented dynamic bassist who has been a member of the Sydney outfit Ray Mann Three.

John, Nicky and Byron commenced recording of the new studio album earlier this month and are thrilled with progress so far.

John Butler said today,
“Over the last twelve years of the JBT, I have been blessed with some amazing individuals. All have left their legacy and have raised the musical bar of the band. With any new incarnation it has always been an honour and challenge to meet the benchmark the band has achieved artistically and take it to the next level. It’s great to be playing with Nicky again and Byron brings a whole new level of melody, funk and Mojo to the Trio. Very exciting times.”

On July 2nd John departs our shores for a solo overseas tour starting in the Northern Hemisphere. He has been invited to play, for the first time, at the prestigious Montreal Jazz Festival. He will also play at the Rothbury Music festival in Michigan alongside the likes of Bob Dylan, The Dead and Ani Di Franco, and The Mile High Festival in Denver. In North America he has sold out headline shows in Toronto and LA. In Europe John is playing at the most famous music hall in Paris, the Folies Bergere and in London at the Union Chapel , a stunning old converted church situated in Islington. This show sold out within 24 hours of going on sale. He also plays Cannes, Amsterdam and Antwerp.

John will return from his overseas trip at the beginning of August, just in time to take part in the Cannot Buy My Soul Concert which is part of the Queensland Music Festival and takes place at the magnificent Brisbane River Stage on Saturday August 1st. It will be a very special evening with a long list of talented local musicians taking to the stage to reinterpret the wonderful catalogue of Kev Carmody, John will perform alongside the likes of Paul Kelly, Missy Higgins and Bernard Fanning.
Check details here; http://qmf.org.au/events/view/cannot-buy-my-soul

John will then head to Northeast Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory to participate in the Garma Festival of Traditional Culture which takes place from August 7th until 11th.
Garma is Australia's leading Indigenous cultural exchange event with a national key forum on Indigenous creative industries - for more info please go to www.garma.telstra.com

Expect the first taste of the new John Butler Trio album later this year and stay tuned to the website for updates as it becomes an ‘album under construction’ tool where you can get all the up to date news on the recording process. www.johnbutlertrio.com

John Butler solo shows – forthcoming international dates:

Thursday 2nd July - High Sierra Music Festival - Quincy, CA USA

Saturday 4th July - Rothbury Music Festival - Rothbury, MI USA

Sunday 5th July - Montreal Jazz Festival - Montréal, QC CANADA - SOLD OUT

Monday 6th July - Phoenix Concert Theatre - Toronto, ON CANADA – SOLD OUT

Friday 10th July - Folie Bergere - Paris, FRANCE

Saturday 11th July - Festival de la Guitare - Mandelieu, FRANCE

Wednesday 15th July - Tivoli de Helling - Utrecht, Holland, The Netherlands – SOLD OUT

Thursday 16th July – Riverrenhof - Antwerp, Belgium

Friday 17th July - Union Chapel - London, England UK – SOLD OUT

Sunday 19th July - Mile High Music Festival - Commerce City, CO USA

Tuesday 21st July - The Troubadour - Los Angeles, CA USA – SOLD OUT

And for a special performance back in Australia on Saturday 1st August – Riverstage - Cannot Buy My Soul - The Songs Of Kev Carmody - Brisbane, QLD www.qmf.org.au

Triple J Hottest 100 songs Ever - voting on now - JBT!

John Butler Trio — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 02:10:39 -0000

Triple J Hottest 100 songs Ever - voting on now - JBT!

To celebrate 20 years of the Hottest 100, Triple J are throwing their collective arms up in the air in a bid for enlightenment and asking you: What is your hottest song of all time?

JBT songs in the list include: Better Than, Good Excuse, Treat Yo Mama & Funky Tonight.

You can vote for 10 songs so add a couple JBT songs in there - there's a Better Than remix also included but we're hoping fans just select Better Than and skip the remix so more votes go towards the album version.

Voting opened on Monday 1st June 2009 and will close Sunday 28th June 2009 - midnight AEST.
Triple J are asking people having browser issues to try it in Firefox (which is probably a good idea for all your web browsing anyway)

Click Here: http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hottest100_alltime/voting/

Save The Kimberly

John Butler Trio — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 01:31:58 -0000

I just got back from an amazing couple of days in Broome. This is a shot of Rob Hirst (from Midnight Oil) and I playing there a couple of
days ago. We were both asked to come up and support a campaign to stop the resource industry (in particular Woodside), and the current
WA state government (spearheaded by Colin Barnett), from destroying pristine country and culture. It is an issue that both Rob and I along
with Missy Higgins, Paul Kelly, Xavier Rudd, The Pigram Brothers (Broome locals and national treasures), Shane Howard and many others
have been passionate about for some time.

The night was great success. Anywhere from 3-5000 people gave an obvious sign on how the locals feel about this issue (in a town on 14500 locals).. Scrap Metal played a set, Shane Howard did Goanna and Midnight Oil songs with Rob and The Pigrams. It was a once in a life
time event. Sublime!

The issue is that the WA premier Colin Barnett wants to compulsorily acquire a large tract of land to insert, what I and many believe, to be
the thin end of a very large resource industry wedge, straight into the heart of the Kimberely. The proposed Woodside gas plant would be just
a handful of kilometres out of Broome itself, and occupy a minimum of 30 square kms.

Broome for me, like many Australians, is a very special place. The spirit is very strong up there . You feel it from the time you enter the region. It's actually where my wife and I started our relationship. Danielle was living out at an indigenous community called Goolarraboolloo. There she introduced me to Joseph Roe. Joe is one of the main custodians and law keepers for the area under threat. Over the last 10 years they've become like family to us. That land is so deeply entrenched into our psyches as a place of solace, so when Joe and Alan Pigram called to ask if I would play at this free concert it was a no brainer.

Joe took Rob , Alan and I to the proposed sight with a few reporters. James Prices Point... An absolutely stunning tract of country. Where
red rock cliffs meet a brilliant blue Indian Ocean. A place where Joe and Alan have come to and camped with their families all their lives. An awe
inspiring place. How anyone could think about putting a massive Gas Plant here is beyond me. Rocks in their heads and dollar signs in their
eyes I say.

Needless to say this issue is getting to a critical point and it's now time for all Australians to get involved and protect what is most important
about our country. Culture. Without it we live a hollow existence. Culture and heritage encompasses all aspects of this issue. Spirit,
environment, human rights, sustainability both biologically and and in trade however local or global. The Kimberely is an iconic place and one
of the last truly wild places on the planet. You can’t put a price on that.

Could we imagine mining Uluru for ore, drilling the Great Barrier Reef for oil, building suburban developments in Kakadu? Where does this all
stop?

Broome is one of the last pristine coastlines in the world. A culturally rich community. That’s what make Broome, Broome. You can't perfect
perfection.
How can a big gas plant and billions of dollars bring community together and enrich it while destroying it's very soul. History has shown that this
kind of industry and the money it brings only divides and brings humbug.

Stand strong for country. Stand strong for our Kimberely.

Get involved, go to these sites to learn more.
http://www.savethekimberley.com/
http://www.wilderness.org.au/regions/western-australia
http://www.environskimberley.org.au/

Photos
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs015.snc1/2636_61902515837_6265405837_1739525_342503_n.jpg
Rob Hirst Alan Pigram Joseph Roe John Butler

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs015.snc1/2636_61902545837_6265405837_1739526_5790813_n.jpg
John Butler Rob Hirsh Photo By Nigel Gaunt

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs015.snc1/2636_61902590837_6265405837_1739527_3072797_n.jpg

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs015.snc1/2636_61902625837_6265405837_1739528_1280697_n.jpg
John Butler Joseph Roe Alan Pigram Rob Hirst Photo by Nigel Gaunt

John Butler announces changes for the trio

John Butler Trio — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 00:24:00 -0000

The John Butler Trio will be changing its line up in the upcoming months. Drummer Michael Barker and bass player Shannon Birchall will play their last shows with The John Butler Trio at the following concerts.

Thursday April 9th Fire and Flood Benefit gig, The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide SA – SOLD OUT

Friday April 10th Chill City, Melbourne, VIC www.chillcity.com.au

Sunday April 12th East Coast Blues And Roots Festival, Byron Bay, NSW www.bluesfest.com.au

Saturday April 18th West Coast Blues and Roots Festival, Fremantle, WA www.sunsetevents.com.au

John has thoroughly enjoyed the experience of the last 6 years touring and recording with Michael and Shannon and for purely artistic reasons, feels that it is necessary to change the line up.

Historically the John Butler Trio have had a changing line up over the last 10 years through their stage performances and studio recordings of ‘Three’, ‘Sunrise Over Sea’ and ‘Grand National’.

John Butler said today,
“Michael and Shannon have been by far the best line up I have performed with in The John Butler Trio to date. They have been a pleasure to live, love, learn, record and tour with. Their professionalism, musicianship, and commitment have been unwavering and for that and a whole lot more I am truly thankful.”

John Butler would like to publicly acknowledge the amazing contribution that Michael and Shannon have made over these last years, and wishes them well in their future musical and personal endeavours.

John Butler is commencing recording of his 5th studio album in the near future.

John Butler Video Blog #2

John Butler Trio — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:13:56 -0000

Updates to playlist: Video Blogs

John Butler Trio — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 23:10:38 -0000

John Butler Video Blog

John Butler Trio — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 23:05:53 -0000

John Butler talks about the movie 'Australia' and a new guitar he picked up from Billy after performing on the Today show.

Pre-Order for Sunrise Over Sea - Limited Edition 24-bit Vinyl www.johnbutlertrio.com

John Butler Video Blog #1

John Butler Trio — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 03:23:01 -0000

JBT to Headline HOB show this Wed & Koka Booth Cancelled

John Butler Trio — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 03:56:56 -0000

Due to illness, G. Love & Special Sauce will not play the House of Blues show this Wednesday night in Myrtle Beach, SC or Koka Booth in Cary, NC. Koka Booth show is cancelled unfortunately. The Myrtle Beach show will still go on as planned, with the John Butler Trio headlining and Tristan Prettyman opening. Ticket prices for this show are $17.50 advanced, $19.50 day of show. Refunds for the original line-up are available at point of purchase or if bought through internet will be refunded automatically.

Please note the advertised times on the HOB website are incorrect. Doors open 6.30pm , show begins at 7.30pm
The new ticketing information for Myrtle beach show is ; http://www.hob.com/tickets/eventdetail.asp?eventid=54315

Update from the Road

John Butler Trio — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:56:43 -0000

As usual its been along time in between blogs. Have to say my forte is music and family not “hell blogger”.
But anyway... We’ve been having great time since we left OZ almost 2 months ago. I mean we were having a great time in OZ too but.. I think you get my drift.

we’ve played all over europe. Man some great festivals. Made lots of new friends. Okay don’t know how I almost forgot this but doesn’t matter . Saw rage against the machine when we were in Portugal.HOLY FUCKIN SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!! The best show ever . Yes I’ve thought about it. Compared with other amazing gigs and this takes the top spot. Wasn’t even expecting it. They were playing the night before us at this festival in lisbon and we’d thought we’d go down to check it out. We couldn’t get back stage passes even though we were playing the next night. So we (myself and the crew ,michael and shannon didn’t make unfortunately) trudged through the huge crowd to grab our spot.

(Foot note; you see when you work in this industry you get pretty spoilt by ,and used to, the backstage world. I actually I have a huge respect for festival goers because for me, I last about an hour and then I’m fried and want to leave. lame but true. Thank god for real fans and Good thing I can make music .)

Okay so there we were kinda a little out of our comfort zone waiting in what was to become a mini mosh pit . Even though it was 100 metres from stage. The $#@*s were on ,not mentioning names, and that was average and kinda a bit too “showy” rock god kinda fake shit for me. We were getting very impatient and and our spoilt little backs were getting all sore.(ahhhh..) the band finished and we had to wait even longer for changeover, then the (heres where we go to caps cause from here it was on,,,,,,,) AIR RAID SIRENS STARTED AND THIS RED STAR RISES FROM THE STAGE AND YOU HEAR ,”WE ARE RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE FROM LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA” AND THEN “BULLS ON PARADE” DROPS. FROM HERE I CANT EVEN HARDLY PUT MY EXPERIENCE INTO WORDS. IT WAS THE TOUGHEST MOST AUTHENTIC , ASS KICKING, FUNKY ,HARD ROCKING,COMMITTED, PASSIONATE AND REAL PERFORMANCE I’VE EVER WITTNESSED. ALL FOUR MUSICIANS FUCKING KILLED IT. WHAT A COMBINATION. TOM MORRELLO BLEW MY MIND, ZACK IS THE GREATEST REVOLUTIONARY FRONT MAN AND MC EVER, TIM T,HE BASSIST ,IS ONE TOUGH HARDHITTING FUNKY MOTHERFUCKER AND BRAD LAID DOWN THE MOST BRUTALLY SOLID AND SAVAGE ROCK’N HIPHOP LED ZEPP BEATS.
I AM AND FOREVER WILL BE A CHANGED MAN. THAT WAS THE REAL DEAL YA’LL. IF YOU EVER GET A CHANCE TO SEE THEM. DO.ARGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

Okay . Breath. Umm. Wow okay . And then we played a great gig the next day. Um yeh. Uh. Okay come back john. Focus..
yeh the rage gig left a massive imprint on me and I remember it before I get on stage everynight to remind myself what I’m doing and where to come from.its like “ If your’re not a hundred percent committed to what you’re doing and why you’re doing it . Go home man. Don’t waste anyones time .Life is too short”.
It works for me.

We’ve been playing really well too. I think we have probably been playing the best we ever have and I have a very good feeling the best is still yet to come. Very exciting as an artist.

so europe rocked . A great artist named mama kin supported a lot of our shows and that was very cool.one word. SOUL! check it!You know what to do.

Had 10 essential days off and then hit the US to tour with G love and the special sauce.We did a couple of gigs and then hit lollapalooza. That was a COOL gig even if NIN took over all the stage we were on with their lights and instruments. The crowd was about 25,000 strong and we played a good set. Got some cool footage of it that was recorded and filmed well too. So we might release it as a DVD/ live disc some time before the next album. We’ll have to see. Cool to see the crowd all dissapear after our show too. Made us realise that the crowd was there for the JBT and not just waiting for someone else if you know what I mean.

its very cool to be on the road with G , Jimmy Jazz prescot and the Houseman. Those guys have been such a huge influence for so long and I have to pinch myself often just to realise that we’re playing with them everynight. If you would of told me that 12 years ago I would laughed. Hell G made me see music altogether different.They was the first to make that whole blues roots/ country hiphop thing make sense. Without them I guarantee the JBT,jack johnson , ben harper, the beautiful girls, xavier rudd and countless of others around the world would sound somewhat different.

Whoa . Huge fight outside ,just on the other side of the fence near the bus. 2 girls going at it with a bunch of screaming people. I just got up close to hear what the hell they were on about. Fuck people are weird man. They were all yelling at once. I couldn’t make out anything.total confusion. Ah war. Don’t ya love it. Completely pointless.

(back in the bus .everybody git sick of not being able to understand eachother and went their separate ways ) Sooooo anyways we’ve been doing a nice version of the beatles “blackbird” everynight which is heaps of fun. Finally learnt how to play it right. Only took 17 years. Along with a version of “sympathy for the devil” to end the night.
The band are a bunch of nice guys and its good to get to know them better seeing we all met years ago.

Okay this is the biggest JB blog ever and I’m ready to crash before my kids wake me up in the wee hours of the morning.

Word to the mother,
Respect,
Peace out,
JB