In June this year, John Butler proudly announced the new line up of the ever evolving John Butler Trio. Prominent Melbourne musician Nicky Bomba (drums and percussion) of ‘Bomba’ fame and principal drummer on ‘Sunrise Over Sea’ joined the band and bass player Byron Luiters from Sydney outfit Ray Mann Three completed the new line up. Having spent the past few months bunkered down in his Fremantle studio with his new band mates putting down tracks for their forthcoming fifth studio album entitled ‘APRIL UPRISING’, John Butler is pleased to announce fans will get their long awaited live JBT hit when the band perform in capital cities, with some key regional shows, in January next year.
The title of ‘APRIL UPRISING’, was chosen by John after he took an incredible journey with documentary makers of the exceptional ‘Who Do You Think We Are’ genealogy series currently airing on SBS TV, John Butler’s fascinating discoveries will be aired on SBS One this Sunday November 1st at 7.30pm. John starts this voyage hoping to find poets, musicians, and revolutionaries in his past. He traces the Butler name through generations of hardship to a matriarch who sang for her survival and traces his Bulgarian ancestry to a forebear caught up in a violent revolt. Filled with coincidental and moving discoveries along the way – it’s riveting viewing for any avid fan and is sure to draw in the uninitiated as his incredible discoveries unveil some amazing facts of John’s heritage.
The recording process for the new album has been shared with avid JBT followers via a special studio sessions page on the band’s website and whilst fans have been privy to only snippets of new music it’s now time to introduce a taste of what’s to come with a new single ‘One Way Road’ due at radio and TV late in November.
John Butler describes the new track,
“One Way Road is the combination of pretty much most of my musical influences; dancehall, roots & rock. Some how we found a way to bring all these feels in a way that sounds natural and not too contrived or cerebral. I’m really happy with how we captured the vibe of this song”.
With sold out performances over the past two years, not only on home turf but also worldwide, on the back of their highly acclaimed and 3 x platinum accredited ‘Grand National’ album, the John Butler Trio have reaffirmed their status as one of Australia’s leading artists. ‘APRIL UPRISING’, scheduled for release early in 2010, will unveil a whole new journey for the band. With great anticipation for the new music Australian fans are advised to get in quick when tickets for the ‘One Way Road’ tour go on sale on Monday November 2nd demand is guaranteed to be high for this first major tour outing of the new line up.
John Butler comments on the forthcoming new album,
“The whole rehearsal and recording process so far has been a lot of fun and very gratifying. I feel the sounds and general spirit and energy of this album are best summed up in the words – free, melodic, funky, phat and rocking. There’s definitely a certain attitude that comes across on the album. Perhaps there’s a conviction, in a song writing and production sense, that I haven’t tapped into so much on earlier works that seems to be more prevalent on April Uprising. There’s chemistry and language that Nicky, Byron and I have found that really compliments these songs in all their different facets”.
Young American folk singer songwriter Brett Dennen and his band will open proceedings on the One Way Road tour. He’s been named by Rolling Stone America as “one of the 10 artists to watch in 2008” and over the past twelve months he’s worked the live circuit delivering his new long player ‘Hope For The Hopeless’ to much acclaim. He’s received praise from music luminaries such as John Mayer, Michael Franti, Jason Mraz, and Femi Kuti . You can expect a folk filled, soulful, witty and insightful set from Brett Dennen when he takes to the stage.
John Butler is also delighted to be involved in the Triple J tribute to Paul Kelly show ‘Before Too Long’ which marks the great singer songwriter’s 30th anniversary, these special shows take place at Melbourne’s Forum Theatre on Friday November 13th and Saturday November 14th, John will be performing on Friday November 14th only.
The John Butler Trio will also be appearing at The Woodford Folk Festival held in Queensland later this year.
The ‘One Way Road’ tour reveals a new path for the John Butler Trio and they are thrilled to share a new beginning with their treasured fans!