John Butler, eco-warrior-cum-musician, would be unique just about anywhere. It just so happens he’s half way across the globe, in Australia. Born in San Diego, and moved to Oz as a youngster, the hippie-idealistic Butler made his musical name the old-fashioned way. By selling tapes in the streets of his hometown of Pinjarra and funneling profits into the recording his first album, “growing like a tree” is not just a worthy metaphor.
But it was his grandfather’s hand-me-down lap-steel guitar, given to him at 16 that really got him moving in a musical direction. Since then, it’s been nothing but hard work and socially conscious songs. In a time when North American bands are thriving as self-contained units, The John Butler Trio may just find a comfortable home back in the States.
The Trio has pulled off an amazing thing in music-heavy Australia: the ultimate anomaly that threatens to break a record in its wake. Gaining popularity as an independent band is reserved for only those overlooked by “the decision-makers.” And it’s these decision-makers that Butler desperately wants to avoid. As he told Juice Magazine, “We’re slowly getting there by ourselves anyway. I’m happy to reinvest all the money we make from our album to get us to those places. [Signing] would mean more and more freedoms would be taken away.” How’s this for a testament to an iron constitution: the group’s new album, Three, at 18,000 copies sold to date, will most likely land JBT in the Australian record books for the best-selling independent release of all time (MGM Distribution). Adding to the acclaim, JBT currently awaits the voting results to be named for the ARIA (Australian Artist of the Year). [NOTE: Results were not announced as of press time.]
Separating himself even further from the pack, this forward-thinking musician goes with inspiration first and rocking out last. And while some of that inspiration imparts the normal rock posturing, most comes just from looking out his window and feelings in his soul. Finding a comfortable balance between making music and taking a stand against deforestation comes easy for Butler. It isn’t completely ironic that one of his first live shows was a benefit concert to end old-growth logging. Speaking to The West Magazine, Butler said, “Music for me was talking about what was on my mind. I figured it was my place to inform people about some issues and not talk down to them. Then the forest issue found me. I realized I could get to people on an earthy level and a conscious level.” It wouldn’t be of Butler’s vim to take them on one step at a time. Instead, he assaults both passions together full bore.
There is little doubt that JBT is a band to watch down the road. For those of you that pride yourselves on getting in on the next big thing before it pops, time is running out. In literally no time at all, this band will soar. One listen to Three doesn’t make this prediction difficult.
Butler returns to his city of birth on Friday, September 7th for the Street Scene in downtown San Diego, where he will be headlining the Slamm Stage for both night and day shows. Check the official John Butler Trio website for more information at JohnButlerTrio.com, or check John Butler's JamBase page, to find out where the JBT plays next and Go See Live Music!
Scott Caffrey
JamBase Correspondent
Go See Live Music!
Read the CD Review of JBT's Three!
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