John Butler Trio Drops New Single Ahead of Album & Aussie Tour

With just a fortnight until their highly-anticipated new album Home hits stores and with an Aussie tour just announced, it’s the perfect time to introduce you to John Butler Trio’s latest single “Just Call.”

This is the kind of track that reminds you of everything you love about John Butler Trio. It’s super catchy, with its jangly guitar and simple melody, and it’s full of heart. You honestly don’t need any more than that.

“’Just Call’ is an earnest love song I’ve had for 13 years which I was finally able to finish in these sessions,” John explained. “This is the story of how I found my best friend and partner, out in a small town in the middle of nowhere, in a world of 7 billion people.”

John Butler Trio’s forthcoming Aussie tour is bound to be something special, with a host of talented musicians joining John and the lads for these gigs. Think Missy Higgins, Stella Donnelly, The Teskey Brothers, Dan Sultan, The Waifs, and more. Line-ups will vary throughout the tour, just to keep crowds on their toes.

Tickets for the Coming Home Australian Tour shows go on sale at noon on Friday, September 21. Home hits stores on September 28.

25 January 2019 – Wignalls Winery, Albany (with Missy Higgins and Carla Geneve)
27 January 2019 Leeuwin Estate, Margaret River (with Missy Higgins and Carla Geneve)
1 February 2019 – Kings Park and Botanic Garden, Perth (with Stella Donnelly)
7 February 2019 – Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne (with Missy Higgins and Stella Donnelly)
9 February 2019 – A Day on the Green @ All Saints Estate, Rutherglen (with Missy Higgins, Stella Donnelly, and Dan Sultan)
10 February 2019 – Stage 88, Canberra (with Missy Higgins, Stella Donnelly, and The Waifs)
14 February 2019 – Sydney Opera House Forecourt, Sydney
16 February 2019 – A Day on the Green @ Bimbadgen, Hunter Valley (with Missy Higgins, Stella Donnelly, and Dan Sultan)
17 February 2019 – Park Beach Reserve, Coffs Harbour (with Missy Higgins, Stella Donnelly, and The Teskey Brothers)
20 February 2019 – Moncrieff Theatre, Bundaberg (with Stella Donnelly)
21 February 2019 – The Great Western, Rockhampton (with Stella Donnelly)
22 February 2019 – The Riverstage Brisbane (Guests TBA)
23 February 2019 – Tolosa Park, Hobart (with Missy Higgins, Stella Donnelly, and Baker Boy)

Image used with permission from Roundhouse Entertainment

John Butler Trio Back With Awaited Album “Home”

It’s been more than four years since the country’s highest-selling independent artist delivered a new album. But John Butler Trio is rewarding fans for their patience with a brand newie, appropriately titled Home.

Home will drop on September 28, but John Butler won’t leave you waiting that long for some new music. The title track is out right now. And isn’t it special.

I must admit, as the first notes piped through my speakers I was taken aback. Where were the acoustic guitars? What was with the electronic sounds? It was all so dark and brooding. But give it a minute people. Just a minute. Because this is really good stuff. Yes, it’s a departure. But true artists evolve. I didn’t expect this new direction, but I like it a lot.

“Given the very personal subject matter of these new songs I pondered what it might mean to record in mainly a solo format for the first time ever,” John Butler explained. “(This track) scratches the surface of the emotional and sonic landscape that eventually became the bedrock of the album.”

you’re interested in the new material, point your browser to John Butler Trio’s website. The album is available for pre-order now. The website has a whole range of exclusive bundls including signs CDs, LPs, and other merchandise.

If you’ve missed seeing John Butler Trio live, you won’t be kept waiting too long. The band will launch Home with shows in Australia, Japan, Europe, and North America in the last quarter of the year. With just one Aussie show on the current list, I think we can safely say more dates will come shortly. But for now, put these in your calendar JBT fans!

29 September 2018 – Caloundra Music Festival, Kings Beach
3 October 2018 – Bigcat, Osaka
4 October 2018 – Mynavi Bliz Akasaka, Shinjuku-ku
5 October 2018 – Mynavi Bliz Akasaka, Tokyo
11 October 2018 – Barrowlands, Glasgow
12 October 2018 – Albert Hall, Manchester
13 October 2018 – Vicar St, Dublin
15 October 2018 – Great Hall, Exeter
16 October 2018 – O2 Academy Bristol, Bristol
17 October 2018 – Eventim Apollo, London
19 October 2018 – Palladium, Koln
20 October 2018 – Mehr! Theater, Hamburg
21 October 2018 – Huxleys, Berlin
22 October 2018 – Tonhalle, Munich
23 October 2018 – Arena Wien, Wien
26 October 2018 – Atlantico, Rome
27 October 2018 – Gran Teatro Geox, Padova
28 October 2018 – Alcatraz, Milan
30 October 2018 – Den Atelier, Luxembourg City
31 October 2018 – Paradiso, Amsterdam
1 November 2018 – AB, Brussels
2 November 2018 – Halle 622, Zurich
3 November 2018 – Les Docks, Lausanne
6 November 2018 – La Laiterie, Strasbourg
7 November 2018 – La Cooperative de Mai, Clermont-ferrand
8 November 2018 – Le Radiant, Caluire et Cuire
9 November 2018 – L’Olympia, Paris
10 November 2018 – L’Olympia Bruno Coquatrix, Paris
16 November 2018 – Warner Theater, Washington, D.C.
17 November 2018 – The Fillmore, Philadelphia
20 November 2018 – Beacon Theatre, New York
21 November 2018 – Orpheum Theatre, Boston
23 November 2018 – Corona Theatre, Montreal
24 November 2018 – National Arts Centre, Ottawa
25 November 2018 – Danforth Music Hall, Toronto
27 November 2018 – Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor
29 November 2018 – The Chicago Theatre, Chicago
30 November 2018 – Taft Theatre, Cincinnati
1 December 2018 – The Caverns, Pelham
2 December 2018 – The Tabernacle, Atlanta
4 December 2018 – Soul Kitchen Music Hall, Mobile
5 December 2018 – The Joy Theater, New Orleans
7 December 2018 – Paramount Theatre, Austin
8 December 2018 – House of Blues, Houston
9 December 2018 – House of Blues, Dallas
13 December 2018 – Rialto Theatre, Tucson
14 December 2018 – The Theatre @ Ace Hotel, Los Angeles
15 December 2018 – Fox Theater, Oakland

Image used with permission from KAOS

John Butler Headlining Port Macquarie’s First SummerSalt Concert

John Butler Trio, Mama Kin, and San Cisco are among the big names headed to Port Macquarie in March for the city’s first ever SummerSalt concert. Joined by Spender, Oh Pep!, and local talents Barrel House, this is sure to be a special concert for the coastal city.

SummerSalt was launched with a simple mission to present quality musicians in some of Australia’s most picturesque outdoor venues. Anyone who’s already taken in a SummerSalt concert knows this will be a day out to remember. In addition to the great music on stage, visitors will also be treated to market stalls and grub from mobile food vendors. There’s also a special SummerSalt Lounge area available to people who want to splurge on their tickets.

SummerSalt will hit Port Macquarie’s Westport Park on March 25. Tickets go on sale tomorrow morning from Ticketmaster and Oztix.

Image used with permission from RAWR Music

John Butler Trio, The Jezabels Headline Big Pineapple Music Festival

I thought that the Big Pineapple was just a place for tourists to snap a few photos. But it turns out it’s also been hosting a sold-out music festival for the last couple of years. It’s little wonder the event’s so popular when organisers can put together a lineup featuring the John Butler Trio, The Jezabels, Thundamentals, Violent Soho, Jebadiah, and helps more.

This year it’s got a brand new site with space for 2500 people to camp, three stages, and plenty of car parking.

“We were given the opportunity to move to the land just across the road, which now gives us a stunning panoramic view to main stage area,” explained festival organiser Mark Pico. “We also gained two more beautiful areas for our smaller stages, double the site space, and the camping is now very close by – bringing the whole festival together.”

The third annual Big Pineapple Music Festival hits Nambour on May 30. Early-bird tickets go on sale tomorrow from the festival website for the bargain price of just $69.95 plus booking fees.

INXS Claim Number One and Two

It’s another great week for INXS on the ARIA charts, with their The Very Best greatest hits collection maintaining its number one position on the album charts. Kick has also moved up five spots to claim the number two slot. This is the first time in the history of the ARIA charts that we’ve seen a single Aussie act claiming the two top spots. They’ve also got four more albums in the top 40: Live At Wembley Stadium 1991 (#17), The Swing (#25), Shabooh Shoobah (#33) and Listen Like Thieves (#36).

We see another Aussie act at number three. The John Butler Trio might have slipped down a spot, but considering the INXS juggernaut they’re probably thrilled that Flesh & Blood’s still near the pointy end of the charts.

Adelaide metalcore act I Killed the Prom Queen are also making their presence felt with their third studio album. Beloved sits at number six on debut, a real improvement from their last studio album, Music For The Recently Deceased, which peaked at number 27.

The Aussies aren’t exactly firing on the singles charts, but it’s nice to see Joel Fletcher and Savage holding steady. “SWING” is still at number four, an impressive 15 weeks after its debut.

Click below for this week’s top tens!

Continue reading “INXS Claim Number One and Two”

John Butler Trio Play Wineries

Music lovers and wine buffs in WA are in for a real treat next year. John Butler Trio will kick off 2013 with two very special shows in the state’s best vineyards.

The threesome will take on Leeuwin Estate in Margaret River on January 3 before moving on to Castelli Winery in Denmark the following day. As a very special treat, homegrown songstress and John Butler’s missus Mama Kin will open both shows.

While these venues are intended for adults, children are permitted to attend so long as they’re with a parent of legal guardian. I love it when venues relax their policies to allow youngsters to see great live music, don’t you?

Tickets are on sale now from Heatseeker.

Image used with permission from JonesPR

John Butler Trio Headline Coaster

Now in its fourth year, Central Coast’s fledgling music festival appears to be going from strength to strength. John Butler Trio are heading up an all-Australian line-up for this year’s event at Gosford Showgrounds.

They’ll join hometown heroes Something with Numbers and One Dollar Short, Jebediah, Little Red, The Potbelleez, Andy Bull, and heaps more. The festival’s Tomorrow Land dance quarter will also return with Ajax, Nina Las Vegas, Purple Sneakers DJs, and Wolfpack.

Coaster will hit Gosford Showgrounds on September 17. Tickets will be available from June 23 from the Coaster website, Oztix, and a variety of retailers including ESS Boardstore in Erina, Network Communications in Lake Haven, and the Newcastle Rock Shop.

Bye Bye 2010, Bring on the New Year!

The bubbly is chilling and folks are getting together as we prepare to bid 2010 adieu. The year our Aussie artists produced some cracking tunes which should help get your NYE party started!

Sia has been a musical force for some time, but 2010 saw her step into the spotlight with her fab album We Are Born. It spawned so many singles, including the irrepressibly “Clap Your Hands.”

Washington was this year’s breakthrough artist and with good reason. Bucket loads of charisma, insightful lyrics, and some damned good tunes are a recipe for success in anyone’s language. “Sunday Best” was the song that had me dancing around my lounge room this year.

John Butler Trio’s “One Way Road” is a bit rootsier than the other tracks, but no less fun. I am in awe of the way JB manages to get his mouth around those rapid fire lyrics!

Amy Meredith definitely didn’t get the recognition they deserved this year. I enjoyed their first two singles, but they wowed me with the nostalgic “Young at Heart.” The fun retro feel sent me right back to my childhood! This is definitely the tune to play as the evening is winding down.

What will you be spinning tonight?

John Butler Trio @ Newcastle Entertainment Centre – 7 September 2010

Yesterday was a day for real thought as Julia Gillard was officially announced as the prime minister of our first minority government in 70 years. I’m still not entirely sure of the ramifications of that, but I’m interested to see how it pans out. It seemed fitting that such a pivotal day should coincide with me making a trek to the Newcastle Entertainment Centre to catch two of the country’s most political acts, Blue King Brown and John Butler Trio.

All too often it seems that the support act is an afterthought, a new band that needs exposure or musos that are mates with the main act. Rarely do the artists fit together to create an evening that sends such a strong message. Both Blue King Brown and John Butler Trio create music with meaning. And the Newcastle crowd lapped it up.

Blue King Brown were first, led by the mesmerizing Natalie Pa’apa’a. I caught the band a few years ago when they supported Santana, and they’ve come a long way since that time. Long time fans may have been thrilled to hear old favourites, but the new material from their latest album Worldwize: North & South got me going. There seemed to be more emphasis on melody, more focus in the message and the crafting of the songs. Thankfully the set was made up of songs both old and new, which gave us all something to enjoy. While support acts too often suffer from chattering crowds keen for the main act to start, Blue King Brown seemed to captivate the audience. They listened intently to these songs and gave the band the respect they really do deserve.

While Blue King Brown impressed me, I was wowed by the John Butler Trio. I’d never seen the band before, so I was struck by John Butler’s incredible musical skills. The live arena is where they really come alive, and the key to that is the main man himself. It’s where John can play an epic, intricate instrumental guitar piece to a transfixed audience, and switch easily between electric and acoustic guitar, lap steel guitar, banjo, and even drums. His technical talent is incredible, and his energy on stage electric.

That energy is what makes these powerful songs work. Rather than appearing preachy, the potent messages contained in the tunes take us back to the musical revolution of the late 1960s. Hearing John Butler speak about the proposed development of the Kimberley region gave “Revolution” extra power. The band’s gentle acoustic cover of Kev Carmody’s “Thou Shalt Not Steal” was one of the show’s most poignant moments.

But this isn’t the late 1960s, and bands that really have something to say are becoming rarer and rarer. Music has always been a great catalyst for change. As I watched the crowds clap their hands in unison in response to this band that has so much to say, I began to feel hope that real change is possible. And what a powerful thing that is.

Image source: own photos

John Butler Trio Announce “These Are the Days” DVD Release

The John Butler Trio are moving to the small screen with the release of their new DVD These Are the Days.

The behind-the-scenes movie takes you to the band’s studio, known as The Compound, revealing much about the band members and their creative process while recording April Uprising. It also features interviews with new trio members Nicky Bomba and Byron Luiters and longtime manager Phil Stevens. There are also 11 album tracks played raw as they were in the studio, and two previously unreleased songs including live favourite “Satisfy.”

These Are the Days will hit music stores and other retailers on August 27, which is not so coincidentally the same day that JBT’s national April Uprising tour begins!

Image used with permission from Stephen Green Consulting