|
On July 23, Jarrah Records released the John Butler Trio's Three in the United States. Released independently less than a year ago in the band’s home country of Australia, Three has become a mainstay on Australian radio and has earned platinum sales status; all without the benefit of any major record label support. Additionally, Three earned the 2001 ARIA music award for “Independent Album of the Year” while the John Butler Trio was hailed by Rolling Stone in Australia as one of 2001’s “Next Big Things”; in the magazine’s 2001-2002 Yearbook the band was declared as simply, “road warriors with soul.”
Led by singer/guitarist John Butler, JBT combined their first EP and the Australian version of Three for their U.S. debut. Butler – who plays an 11-string acoustic guitar (a 12-string model with the high G string removed) – wrote and arranged all music on Three. The themes on the album’s ten tracks range from political issues such as mowing down forests, mistrust of government and big business, and skepticism of the media, as well as more personal issues. On “Earthbound Child" Butler celebrates his connection with the earth while railing against deforestation and pollution. He preaches revolution against hypocritical government on “Don't Understand” and decries the Australian uranium mining industry on Money. On the self-love anthem “Believe,” Butler goes solo, making all the music with his voice and guitar and keeping the beat with his right foot – giving a taste of his early street-busking days back in Fremantle, Australia.
When releasing Three in the United States, Butler decided to stick what worked best and – despite a bidding war and much interest from major record labels – chose to remain independent. Forming his own Jarrah Records label, Butler released Three in the U.S., but also has the benefit of major label distribution through BMG. According to Butler and his Australian model of success: “Popular music can be tied up in certain genres and labels, but we’ve gotten the same kind of access to the population on our own terms.”
Determined to make their mark in America, The John Butler Trio has, and will continue to tour the U.S. throughout 2002 and 2003. Earlier festival dates included performances at Bonnaroo and the High Sierra Music Festival. Summer/fall dates, which kicked off August 5 in Denver CO, take JBT on the road for 2 months and find the band supporting John Mayer and Guster in August and opening for The Dave Matthews Band in early September, as well as playing select festival slots and headline dates throughout. (See below for complete list of tour dates.)
The John Butler Trio Summer/Fall 2002 Tour Dates
August
16 - Berkeley CA - Greek Theatre*
17 - Los Angeles CA - Greek Theatre*
18 - San Diego CA - SDSU Open Air Theatre*
20 - Las Vegas NV - Hard Rock Hotel – The Joint**
21 - Mesa AZ - Mesa Amphitheatre*
22 - Santa Fe NM - Palo Soleri Amph.*
24 - Austin TX - The Backyard*
25 - Waco TX - Heart O’ Texas Coliseum*
27 - Dallas TX - Bronco Bowl
28 - Houston TX - Verizon Wireless Theatre*
30 - Memphis TN - Mud Island Amphitheatre
31 - Lesterville MO - Salmonfest
September
1 - Lesterville MO - Salmonfest
6 - George WA - The Gorge**
7 - George WA - The Gorge**
8 - George WA - The Gorge**
11 - Minneapolis MN - Cabooze
13 - Chicago IL - Schuba’s
14 - Detroit MI - Alvin’s
16 - Toronto ONT - Comfort Zone
18 - Boston MA - Paradise Rock Club
20 - Providence RI - Met Café
25 - Philadelphia PA - Khyber Pass
26 - Washington DC - TBA
27 - Carrboro NC - Room Four
28 - Fairburn GA - Harvest Festival
29 - Fairburn GA - Harvest Festival
* Supporting John Mayer and Guster
** Supporting Dave Matthews Band
|
